Putting together a slideshow on Windows 11 isn’t rocket science, but it’s kinda weird how many different ways there are to get it wrong or make it harder than it should be. If you’re just trying to whip up a quick photo montage for family or a school project, the built-in tools like Photos or PowerPoint are your friends — but sometimes, they don’t cooperate the way you’d expect.
How to Make a Slideshow on Windows 11
This walkthrough is about using Windows 11’s own apps. They’re simple, fast, and don’t require installing anything extra — unless you want fancy effects, then PowerPoint’s your buddy. Whether it’s for a birthday, a report, or just some damn cute cat photos, these steps should help you get something decent without pulling your hair out.
Step 1: Decide which tool to use
Most folks pick between the Photos app for quick and dirty slideshows or PowerPoint if they want more control, like animations, text overlays, or neat transitions. The Photos app is good when you just wanna set it and forget it, but PowerPoint is better if you’re gonna be fancy or need more options.
Step 2: Open the program
Click Start, then find the app in your menu. If you’re using Photos, it’s the one with the flower icon. PowerPoint is part of the Office suite, so just locate it in Microsoft Office. Sometimes, the apps are hidden in your application list — so, either search for them or pin them on your taskbar.
Step 3: Import your images
With Photos, hit Create > Custom Video with Music. In PowerPoint, you go to Insert > Photo Album. Yeah, that’s the one. Basically, you’re pulling all your photos into a collection — sorting and organizing the order can be a pain, but it’s worth it. On some setups, the Photos app might crash or refuse to find all your images the first try, so save often.
Step 4: Spice it up with transitions and effects
This is the fun part, or the frustrating one, depending on your patience. In Photos, you can add music and tweak slide durations if you go to the editing panel. PowerPoint is the true playground — select the Transitions tab and explore options like Fade, Wipe, or 3D effects. Pro tip: play with the timing — 1-2 seconds per slide usually feels natural, but it depends on your content.
Step 5: Save and share
Once it looks good, hit Export or Save As. In Photos, you’ll export as a video — typically MP4 — so it’s easy to share on social or embed somewhere. PowerPoint can export as a video or keep it as a PPTX file for future editing. Sometimes, Windows gets weird about video codecs or formats, so make sure to choose a compatible one. On some machines, the export process might hang or crash; just restart and try again. Of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
And voilà, your slideshow’s ready. You’ll notice a decent flow, transitions, maybe a bit of music — all the essentials for a quick presentation or sharing on social media.
Tips for Making a Slideshow on Windows 11
- Try different transitions — losely themed or weird effects can keep it interesting. Or embarrassing, depending on your audience.
- Pick your music wisely. Something too loud or out of vibe, and it’s distracting. Keep it simple unless you’re trying to make a statement.
- Don’t forget to Preview before final export. Sometimes, what looks good on your screen isn’t quite right when you see the full thing.
- Timing matters. Not all slides need 5 seconds if it’s just a quick shot; sometimes, less is more.
- Save repeatedly. Because Windows loves crashing just when you’re about to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add music to my slideshow in the Photos app?
Yeah, you can pick from built-in tunes or add your own. Just hit the music option when editing. Beware, some tracks might not work if you’re exporting to certain formats.
How do I rearrange photos in PowerPoint?
It’s a breeze — just drag and drop the images in the Photo Album dialog box or in the slide sorter view, which is kind of hidden but super useful once you find it.
What file formats can I export my slideshow as?
Photos usually exports as MP4 videos. PowerPoint can save as .pptx, .pdf, or videos, depending on what you need. Use MP4 if you want something quick for sharing.
Can I edit the slideshow afterward?
Definitely. Both apps support basic editing after saving — just reopen the project and tweak the images, timing, music, or transitions as needed.
How to add text overlays?
PowerPoint makes that super simple; just use Text Box under the Insert tab. In Photos, it’s less straightforward but still doable if you embed text into slides before exporting.
Summary
- Pick your tool — Photos or PowerPoint.
- Open and import your photos.
- Adjust transitions, add music if needed.
- Preview, then save/export.
- Share and enjoy the reactions.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Just keep in mind, sometimes Windows throws a fit, so save often and be ready for a restart or two. Good luck, and may your slideshow be less cringe and more wow.