Inventive. Futuristic. User-friendly. These are just some of terms associated with Windows, and in a larger picture, with Microsoft. We all know how Microsoft is renowned for providing common users with remarkable software solutions.
One of the several useful in-built features of Windows is the Photos app. This application was initially released with Windows 8 as a part of the Microsoft Store. However, even today, many people who have failed to explore all its components are still unfamiliar with how useful the Photos app could be. In this article, we will brief you about using the app conveniently.
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As we proceed with our explanations, we are assuming that the reader already has already logged into his or her legal Microsoft account. In case you have an account but you have not logged in yet, you could do so by going to Settings and later Accounts.
How to Manage Photos?
The task is way easier than it sounds. You would think that managing photos with the Photos app would be more difficult than managing them via other photo applications. However, the actual case is quite the opposite. Thanks to Photos app’s easy-to-use interface, it is quite well organized as well as simple to understand and use.
Once you have launched the app, you will be able to see three different sections on the first window displayed in front of you. These will be: Collection, Albums, and Folders.
- Collection: If you look under this section, you will be able to see the images stored on your system, no matter what album or location they are originally stored in.
- Albums: This section will display all the photo albums that you have on your system.
- Folders: Under this section, you will be able to see all the folders, which were added in settings to be scanned.
How to Add Photos?
The Photos app is designed in such a way that it automatically fetches all the photos stored in selected folders. Due to this, we cannot directly add photos into it. However, the task can be performed easily, using these simple steps:
- First, head towards the dotted-line button (represented by three horizontally displayed dots) and click it. Hit Menu | Settings.
- Under the Sources section, select Add a folder. Choose a folder which you intend you scan for photos.
How to Synchronize Photos among Various Machines?
The fact that OneDrive is integrated with the Photos app makes synchronizing photos between different machines much easier than expected. By default, OneDrive consists of 3 folders. These are: Attachments, Documents, and lastly, Pictures. As apparent from the names, all the images are stored in the Pictures folder.
If you see under the Sources section, you will note that the Photos app already has the OneDrive folder listed down as a default one. This means that if you save a new photo into your OneDrive, it will automatically show up in the Photos app as well. Just in case you realize that the OneDrive folder is not already present there, you can still manually add it by following these simple steps given below:
- Open Settings.
- Next, click on Add a folder.
- Add the Pictures folder of OneDrive into the list. Now this folder will also be scanned.
How to View the Cloud-Only Pictures?
By default, cloud-only content does not appear within the Photos app. This is mainly because this content is not downloaded on the client’s side.
- Head to the Settings window.
- Now you will see Show my cloud-only content from OneDrive written on your screen. Below this, there will be a slider that you have to move to the right in order to enable that option.
- From the drop-down menu, choose the Pictures folders only option. Doing so will ensure that other unnecessary content does not pile up within the pane view.
How to Organize Photos?
There are multiple methods to organize images. According to the default method, you should first make albums that enable you to organize your images. Alternatively, you may create folders via File Explorer and later assign photos to them. Since this method is not as convenient, it is not preferred or recommended. However, if you still wish to do so, follow the steps mentioned below:
- Head to the Albums section within the Photos app.
- Select the option saying Create a New Folder.
- On each photo displayed on your screen, you will be able to see a checkbox at the right hand side top corner. Select all the checkboxes of the images you intend to add and then hit the Add button. A new album will be created.
- A text box saying New Album will now appear. Click it and give your album a new name of your choice.
- Windows Photos app also allows users to upload their albums on both Sway as well as OneDrive.
How to Share Photos?
As you probably already know, there are multiple ways to share photos. If you intend to share individual photos; you may use a host of the Microsoft Store apps. If you are looking to share full-fledged albums, you can do so using Sway or OneDrive.
- Click on the photo you wish to share.
- Select an option saying Share.
- A new menu will now appear on the screen. You will see a list of different applications such as Viber and OneNote. Here, you can choose the app via, which you would like to share your photos.
- If you intend to share a whole album instead of individual photos, first select the album. Next, choose the Share Album option.
- For now, Photos app’s album sharing feature only works with Sway and OneDrive. Choose a platform from these two at this step. When you do so, your album will open up on the respective website.
- If you are sharing through OneDrive, you have to hit Share now.
- Set the permission settings according to your preferences. You will have two options: to set a password or change the expiration date of the file being shared. You can also decide whether another viewer can make changes into your file or not. A link will be displayed in front of you. You can even copy the link and share it with whomever you like.
- If you are using Sway, the process is pretty much the same. You just need to click Share and a link will be displayed in front of you. Copy the link and share it with whoever you want. Now, your job is done! It is literally as easy as that.