Microsoft Photos is the photo app that comes with Windows, and it now includes AI tools such as generative erase and background blur, removal and replacement that run on your own PC. It is worth trying first if you use Windows and need quick fixes, but it is a basic editor with no templates, and some AI features need a newer Copilot+ PC.
What Microsoft Photos is
Microsoft Photos is the built in app for viewing, organizing and editing pictures on Windows. It can show photos from your PC, OneDrive, iCloud Photos (on Windows 11 only) and other devices Microsoft Store ↗.
Microsoft has added AI editing tools to it. Generative erase removes blemishes or unwanted objects when you brush over them, and the Background tool can blur, remove or replace the background of a photo Microsoft Support ↗. On Copilot+ PCs there are extra options, including Super Resolution, Restyle Image and Image Creator Microsoft Support ↗.
It sits alongside the usual basics: crop, rotate and flip, light and color sliders, 15 filters, and markup with two pens, a highlighter and arrows Microsoft Support ↗. For video, you can trim clips, and for bigger video edits it hands off to the Clipchamp editor Microsoft Support ↗.
What it does well
It is already on your PC. There is no new app to install and no new account to make before you try it, which makes it the easiest place to start for a Windows user Microsoft Support ↗ Microsoft Store ↗.
The AI runs on your device. Microsoft says generative erase and background separation are processed locally, and that your data never leaves your device Microsoft Support ↗. That is a plus if you edit photos of customers, staff or private documents and do not want them uploaded to a cloud service.
The background tools are practical. You can blur the background with an intensity slider, remove it, or replace it with a solid color picked from a palette or by RGB value Microsoft Support ↗. A brush with size and softness controls lets you fix the selection by hand Microsoft Support ↗. That covers simple product shots on a plain background.
Super Resolution is useful for small images. On Copilot+ PCs it can enlarge a photo up to eight times, either in full or in selected areas, and the processing happens on the PC's neural processing unit AlternativeTo ↗ heise ↗. PCWorld describes it as free and handy for scanned photos and low resolution images PCWorld ↗.
Edits are safe to experiment with. You can hold the mouse button or press the spacebar to compare with the original, and Reset cancels every edit Microsoft Support ↗.
Where it falls short
Some AI features need special hardware. Super Resolution requires a Copilot+ PC with a neural processing unit, such as laptops with Snapdragon X, AMD Ryzen AI 300 or certain Intel Core Ultra chips PCWorld ↗ heise ↗. Older PCs will not get it.
Microsoft does not spell out the details. Its help page does not say which Windows versions get each feature, whether a Microsoft account is required, which file formats are supported or what size limits apply Microsoft Support ↗. The Microsoft Store listing did not show a price or ratings when we checked Microsoft Store ↗.
It is a basic editor. There are no templates for social posts or flyers, and the background replace option offers only solid colors rather than new scenes Microsoft Support ↗. PCWorld also notes that Super Resolution is not a miracle worker and that paid tools such as Topaz may do better PCWorld ↗.
Hands on testing is in progress, and we will update this review.
Pricing and plans
Microsoft Photos comes with Windows, so there is no separate plan to buy Microsoft Store ↗. Microsoft's help page does not state a price for any of its AI features Microsoft Support ↗.
Super Resolution is free to use on a Copilot+ PC, according to PCWorld and AlternativeTo PCWorld ↗ AlternativeTo ↗. The catch is the hardware: you need a Copilot+ PC to use it at all PCWorld ↗.
There are no paid tiers, trials or credit packs listed on the help page or store page Microsoft Support ↗ Microsoft Store ↗. If you want more advanced video editing, Photos sends you to Clipchamp, which is a separate product Microsoft Support ↗.
Who should (and shouldn't) use it
- Good fit: Windows users who want to erase a stray object or blur a background without signing up for anything Microsoft Support ↗.
- Good fit: people who would rather keep photos on their own PC, since erase and background tools run locally Microsoft Support ↗.
- Good fit: owners of a Copilot+ PC who need to enlarge small or old photos PCWorld ↗ heise ↗.
- Skip it if: you need templates, brand kits or social media sizes; Adobe Express or Canva fit better Adobe Express ↗ Canva pricing ↗.
- Skip it if: you use a Mac or work mostly on your phone.
- Skip it if: you need professional retouching; Photoshop's tools go much further Zapier ↗.
Alternatives worth a look
- Adobe Express: free background removal with a free Adobe account, plus free daily object insert and remove edits and templates Adobe Express ↗.
- Canva: a full free design tool with up to 20 AI uses on the free plan Canva pricing ↗.
- Adobe Photoshop: Zapier found its Remove Tool the best at replacing objects with convincing content Zapier ↗.
- Google Photos: a free option if your photos already live in Google's cloud Google blog ↗.
Where it appears
ComparedThe Best Free AI Photo EditorWhat’s good
- Built into Windows
- On device AI
- No new account
What to know
- Version and cost details not published on help page
- No templates
Key features
- Generative erase
- Blur, remove or replace background
- On device processing
- Super resolution on Copilot+ PCs
Questions people ask
Is Microsoft Photos free?
It comes with Windows, and Super Resolution is free on Copilot+ PCs according to PCWorld Microsoft Store ↗ PCWorld ↗. Microsoft's help page does not list a price for its AI tools Microsoft Support ↗.
Can Windows Photos remove a background?
Yes. The Background tool can blur, remove or replace the background with a solid color, and a brush lets you refine the selection Microsoft Support ↗.
Does Windows Photos upload my pictures for AI editing?
Microsoft says generative erase and background separation run locally, and your data never leaves your device Microsoft Support ↗.
Do I need a Copilot+ PC for Windows Photos AI?
Only for some features. Super Resolution, Restyle Image and Image Creator are listed as Copilot+ PC options Microsoft Support ↗ PCWorld ↗.
Where this comes from
Checked Oct 9, 2026. Vendor pages describe their own products; independent sources add outside views. Hands on testing is in progress.
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