How do I open the photos app?

Click the Start button, type "Photos," and press Enter. The app opens to your photo library. If this is your first time, it scans your Pictures folder and any connected OneDrive albums. You can also open a specific photo by right-clicking it in File Explorer and choosing "Open with → Photos."

How do I browse and view your photos?

The main view shows your photos sorted by date (newest first). Scroll down to go back in time. Click any photo to open it full size. Use the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard to move between photos. Press Escape to go back to the main gallery.

How do I crop and rotate a photo?

With a photo open, click the pencil icon (Edit) at the top right, then choose "Crop & rotate." Drag the corner handles to select the area you want to keep. Click "Done" to apply. To rotate the photo 90 degrees, click the rotate arrow icon at the top of the crop panel.

How do I adjust brightness, color, and sharpness?

In Edit mode, click "Adjustments" (or "Enhance" on older versions). Sliders let you adjust Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, and more. Drag a slider right to increase the effect, left to decrease it. Click the "Enhance" wand icon for an automatic one-click improvement if you are not sure where to start.

How do I import photos from your phone?

Connect your phone to your PC with a USB cable. Unlock your phone and, if prompted, choose "Transfer photos." In the Photos app, click "Import" at the top right, then "From a USB device." Photos will show you what is on your phone. Select the photos you want and click "Import Selected."

How do I create a video slideshow?

In the Photos app, click "New" at the top, then "Video project" (Windows 10) or look for "Create" options (Windows 11). Select the photos you want to include, give the slideshow a title, and let Photos build it automatically. You can add music, rearrange clips, and then save it as a video file to share.

TekSure — Free Tech Help for Beginners & Seniors

Windows Photos is the built-in photo viewer and editor on every Windows 10 and Windows 11 computer. You do not need to download anything — it is already there and ready to use. Just double-click any photo on your computer and it opens automatically in Photos.

Beyond viewing pictures, Photos lets you do basic editing without any special skills: crop, rotate, adjust brightness and color, remove red-eye, and add filters. The edits are non-destructive — meaning Photos keeps your original photo safe and lets you undo any change.

Photos also organizes your pictures by date automatically. When you connect your phone or camera to your PC and import photos, Photos sorts them into a timeline so you can scroll back through months and years.

The app also has a "Memories" feature on Windows 11 that creates short slideshows from your photo collection — complete with music and transitions. It is a nice way to relive memories from past trips or events.

Photos can edit videos too: trim a clip to cut out the beginning or end, add slow motion, or pull a still image out of a video frame. These tools are basic but cover the most common editing needs for everyday users.