Microsoft Photos Cuts Copilot, OneDrive, and Clipchamp Clutter From Its Interface

Microsoft Photos is getting a cleaner interface on Windows 11, with fewer shortcuts, a simplified right-click menu, and noticeably faster image loading.

Microsoft Photos version 2026.11080.24002.0 is now rolling out to all Windows 11 users, as Windows Latest reports.

Microsoft previously tested the redesign with Windows Insiders in July 2026. The updated interface is now reaching the general public.

Microsoft removes the Ask Copilot button from Photos

One of the most noticeable changes is the removal of the “Ask Copilot” button.

Microsoft has completely removed the button from the Photos interface, reducing Copilot’s visibility inside the built-in Windows 11 photo viewer.

This does not mean Microsoft has removed AI-powered features from Photos. Those features remain available elsewhere in the app.

OneDrive, Designer, and Clipchamp leave the main toolbar

Microsoft has also cleaned up the Photos toolbar by removing several prominent shortcuts.

The OneDrive, Microsoft Designer, and Clipchamp buttons have moved into a new Open with menu instead of occupying space in the main interface.

OneDrive remains available through the left sidebar and Photos Settings.

Microsoft has also moved the slideshow button from the main toolbar to the bottom of the app.

The changes give the image viewer more room and reduce the number of controls visible while viewing a photo.

The Photos right-click menu is much smaller

Microsoft has simplified the right-click context menu as part of the redesign.

The menu now groups more actions inside nested menus instead of showing every available command at once.

Microsoft removed several options from the main context menu, including Visual search with Bing, Edit with Designer, and Create a video with Microsoft Clipchamp.

Open in File Explorer has also moved into the Open with menu.

Microsoft Photos can load images almost twice as fast

The update also introduces performance improvements that go beyond the visual redesign.

Microsoft has implemented a new multi-process architecture for the Photos image viewer. According to Microsoft, the change can make photo loading almost twice as fast.

Users should also notice improvements when launching the app, zooming into images, and opening the right-click menu.

Large images should open with less delay, with the improvements potentially making a bigger difference on lower-end Windows 11 PCs.

Photos gets a redesigned Info pane

Microsoft has redesigned the Info pane and added more actions directly to it.

Available options now include Resize Image, Copy Path, Visual Search, and Open location.

Several features that disappeared from the right-click menu have effectively moved into this area, keeping them accessible without overcrowding the main interface.

HEIC editing and SVG support improve

Microsoft Photos is also expanding its image format support.

Users can now edit HEIC images directly without first converting them to another format.

The app can also open SVG files without requiring a third-party application.

Together with the cleaner interface and faster image loading, the changes make Photos a more streamlined image viewer while preserving most of its existing editing and AI-related capabilities.

Microsoft has also been making other Windows changes recently. The company is cracking down on bad Windows drivers before they reach users, while it is also discontinuing Project Online Essentials.