Having trouble with your photos looking a bit off after using Windows 11? Chances are, the auto-enhance feature is doing its thing and tweaking your images without you realising. It’s meant to make pictures look brighter and more colourful, but honestly, it can sometimes do more harm than good. Just when you think you’ve captured that perfect shot, the Photos app decides to give it a bit of a makeover. Fortunately, it’s a straightforward fix to turn it off and keep your photos looking just as you took them.
Disabling Auto-Enhance in the Photos App
If you prefer your photos to stay true to the original, here’s how to turn off auto-enhance. It’s a real lifesaver for photography buffs and casual users alike who want to keep their images authentic and untouched.
Open the Photos App
First up, open the Photos app. Click on the Start Menu and type Photos, or press Windows + S to search. The Photos app is your go-to for viewing and editing images in Windows 11, and that’s where most of the settings are hiding.
Access the Settings Menu
Once the app’s open, look for the three dots (…) in the top right corner. Click on them to open the dropdown menu and select Settings. If you’re after a quicker way, try pressing Ctrl + , to open the Settings directly.
Find the Auto-Enhance Option
Scroll through the options until you see Automatically enhance my photos. This toggle decides whether the Photos app automatically tries to fix and improve your pictures, often leading to unexpected adjustments.
Disable Auto-Enhance
Simply switch that toggle off. And there you go—your photos will now appear just as you captured them, without any sneaky edits. The setting stays disabled even after you close the app, so your images remain untouched. If you’ve changed your mind later and want to reset everything back to default, you can clear the app’s preferences with this PowerShell command:
PowerShell command:
Remove-Item -Path "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.Photos_\LocalState" -Recurse (Remember to swap out <version> with the actual version number found in the LocalState folder.)
Close the Settings
Once you’ve turned off auto-enhance, just close the settings window. The app saves your preference automatically—no need to click ‘Save’. Going forward, your photos should be exactly how you took them, nice and natural.
A quick tip: If you notice changes aren’t applying instantly, restarting the Photos app via PowerShell can sometimes do the trick.
Extra Tips for Managing Auto-Enhance
- Make sure your Photos app is up to date! Head over to the Microsoft Store and check for updates to avoid bugs.
- If you want to fine-tune a photo, use the editing tools instead of relying on auto-enhance. Click the Edit button (the pencil icon) or press Ctrl + E.
- Save any edits as a copy to keep your original safe. Use the Save a copy option whenever you tweak photos.
- Decided you want auto-enhance back? Just flip that toggle on again in the same settings menu—it’s easy.
- Don’t forget to explore other features like filters and cropping to get even more creative with your images!
FAQs About Auto-Enhance
Why should I turn off auto-enhance?
Disabling auto-enhance lets you see your photos exactly as they were taken, without the app tinkering with colours and brightness. It’s perfect if you want to preserve the true look of your shots, especially if you’re into photography or just prefer a natural vibe.
Can I still edit my photos if auto-enhance is turned off?
Absolutely! Turning auto-enhance off doesn’t block you from editing. You can still adjust brightness, add filters, crop, and tweak your images with the built-in tools. Just open the photo and click Edit (the pencil icon).
Will my past edits be affected if I disable auto-enhance now?
Nope! Your previous edits stay intact. Disabling auto-enhance only affects how future photos are processed; your past work remains as you left it.
How do I turn auto-enhance back on later if I change my mind?
Easy peasy—just reopen Settings in the Photos app and flick that toggle back on whenever you want auto-enhance to do its thing again.
Are there other neat features in the Photos app like auto-enhance?
Definitely! Beyond auto-enhance, you can explore filters, adjust colours, crop photos, and more. Plenty of tools to help you make your images look just how you want.
Final Notes to Keep in Mind
- Launch the Photos app.
- Go to Settings via the three-dot menu.
- Find Automatically enhance my photos.
- Switch it off to keep your images as the camera intended.
- Close the settings; enjoy viewing your authentic photos.
Getting a grip on auto-enhance in Windows 11 is simple — and making this small change can really improve your experience by showing your photos in their true colours. It’s a good move for anyone wanting to preserve the authenticity of their snapshots. Take some time to explore the editing options available in the Photos app to truly make your images shine. Hope this helps save you a headache down the line!