Microsoft is rolling out an AI-powered feature in the Windows 11 Photos app that automatically organizes screenshots, receipts, ID documents, and notes into dedicated folders.
Key Takeaways
- New AI feature in Microsoft Photos for Windows 11 Insiders.
- Auto-sorts receipts, screenshots, ID documents, and notes.
- Works across languages—IDs in any language are recognized.
- Folders appear under the “Categories” tab in Photos.
- Currently limited to four categories, but expansion is expected.
Your photo library is probably full of clutter—random screenshots, bills you meant to save, and notes snapped in a rush. Microsoft knows this pain, and it’s testing a fix.
In the latest update for Windows 11 Insiders on Copilot Plus PCs, the Photos app is getting a smart new feature powered by artificial intelligence. Instead of leaving you to scroll endlessly through your camera roll, the app will now automatically sort certain types of images into neat folders.
Specifically, Microsoft says Photos can detect and categorize receipts, screenshots, identity documents, and handwritten notes. What makes this even more powerful is its ability to understand images beyond English. For instance, if you upload a Hungarian passport, it’ll still get sorted into your “Identity Documents” folder without extra work on your end.
Once sorted, you’ll see these new folders show up in the “Categories” section on the left side of the Photos app. That means no more hunting for that screenshot you grabbed last week or the note you wrote down months ago.
For now, the categorization is limited to those four content types. But users are already wondering: why stop there? Imagine being able to automatically group all your pet photos, vacation shots, or family gatherings without tagging them yourself. Microsoft hasn’t confirmed customizable categories yet, but given the push into AI-powered convenience, it feels like a natural next step.
This move also fits into Microsoft’s broader AI strategy. Copilot Plus PCs are designed to bring AI into everyday workflows, and Photos is just one of many apps getting a refresh. By letting AI handle mundane sorting, users get back time and mental energy—things tech often promises but doesn’t always deliver.
Ultimately, this update is more than a minor quality-of-life change. It’s a glimpse into how AI could quietly reshape how we organize our digital lives. Today it’s receipts and notes. Tomorrow, it could be memories, moments, and milestones.