Want to run a slideshow of your photos in Windows 11? Fair dinkum, it’s pretty straightforward, but a few steps can be a bit tricky if you don’t pokie around. The Photos app is your go-to, and yep, it’s built-in, so no need to download anything extra. But getting that seamless looping without a fuss? That’s where it gets a bit odd, and sometimes you hit a snag. Here’s what usually works for me, anyway.
Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Slideshow Photos in Windows 11
Making a slideshow in Windows 11 isn’t rocket science, but there are a few tricks. The main thing is choosing the right pics, and that’s pretty easy—bit of a boring task, but simple. If you’re after full playlist controls, though, nah, it’s a bit basic. Anyway, let’s go through it.
Step 1: Open the Photos App
Start by clicking the Start menu or just type “Photos” in the search bar. You’ll find the app (it’s already there ‘cos it’s built-in). Sometimes it’s pinned; other times you’ll need to hunt for it in the apps list. The main thing is opening Microsoft Photos. If it’s stubborn and won’t open straight away, a quick reboot might do the trick — Windows can be a bit quirky at times.
Step 2: Pick Your Photos
Navigate to your photo folder—probably the Pictures folder is the go. Now, select a few images — hold down Ctrl and click each shot. Or, select the first, then Shift + click the last to grab a bunch at once. Make sure you’re happy with your selection because that’s what you’ll cycle through.
Since Windows Photos doesn’t have a “select all for slideshow” button outside of albums or folders, this is the best way to prep your batch. Pro tip: chuck all your photos into one folder to make life easier later on.
Step 3: Start the Slideshow
Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, then choose “Slideshow”. Fair dinkum, this is a quick way to get a slideshow going, but don’t expect fancy controls or options to tweak the timing. It just kicks off showing your selected pics in a loop.
Sometimes the slideshow doesn’t auto-repeat after the last pic — a bit annoying. Rebooting can help clear that up. If you want a proper looping one, you might need a third-party app.
Step 4: Adjust the Settings (If You Want)
The Photos app doesn’t offer much in the way of customisation besides start/stop. If you’re after features like slide length or transitions, consider extra tools—like PhotoStage or similar. For a quick run, though, it’s fine.
Step 5: Enjoy the Show
You’ll see your pics flick through in the order you picked, but keep in mind: Windows’ built-in slideshow isn’t always reliable with looping. It’s usually “show until you stop it,” not a continuous auto-loop out of the box.
To get around this, keep the Photos app open and manually restart it when needed. Or, if you’re keen, you can try scripting or using third-party apps—that’s a bit more involved, though.
Tips for Slideshow Photos in Windows 11
- Sort your photos into folders or albums for quick picking later.
- Use the Enhance feature in Photos to tidy up your pics before showing them off — makes a big difference.
- If you’re after more control and proper looping, apps like FastStone Image Viewer are worth a look.
- Keep your Windows updates up to scratch — they sometimes improve app performance or fix bugs.
- Want music? You’ll need a video editor or dedicated slideshow software — Photos doesn’t handle that directly.
FAQs
Can I change the order of the photos in my slideshow?
Sort of. If you want a specific order, best to chuck them in a folder and name them numerically (like 01, 02, 03). The built-in slideshow just uses the order they’re selected in, so organising your files helps.
What file types does the Windows 11 Photos app support?
Pretty standard: JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, and TIFF will all work. For raw or HEIC images, you might need extra codecs or to convert them first.
Can I add music directly in the Photos app?
Nah. You’ll need another app or software to include music. Photos is pretty basic in that sense.
Can I run the slideshow on another monitor?
Yep. Extend your display via Display Settings, then drag the Photos window over there and run the slideshow. Just a heads-up, Windows doesn’t officially support multiple monitor full-screen slideshows in the default app, but it can work if you fiddle a bit.
Can I save the slideshow as a video file?
Not with the Photos app. For that, you’ll need a dedicated video maker—like a proper video editor. Or, use free tools like HandBrake, but that’s more complicated.
Summary
- Open the Photos app.
- Select your photos (multi-select with Ctrl or Shift).
- Click the three-dot menu and choose “Slideshow.”
- Options are limited—consider tweaking your pics or going for a third-party app for full control.
- Enjoy (or troubleshoot) your slideshow’s looping.
Final Word
Getting a slideshow happening in Windows 11 is dead easy in theory, but if you want it to loop endlessly, you might hit a few snags. That’s why some blokes and sheilas go for free apps or simple video editors to get the full lap. For quick and dirty, though, the Photos app is alright—mostly. Sometimes a restart or a reboot helps if things go pear-shaped. Overall, it’s a fair go for casual flicking through your photos, but if you want something a bit more polished, third-party tools are the go. Hope this saves a few of you some time fiddling around with the limitations!