Enhancing User Experience with Windows 11 Photos App
In a recent update aimed at enhancing user experience, Microsoft has introduced a new feature in the Photos app for Windows 11, currently available to Windows Insiders. This update includes an “Edit with Photos” option that appears at the bottom of the context menu when users right-click on an image. This addition sits alongside the traditional “Open” command and the “Open with” submenu, sparking discussions about its necessity.
Removing “Edit with Photos” from Windows 11 Context Menus
For those who prefer a more streamlined context menu, removing the “Edit with Photos” option is straightforward. However, it’s important to note that these steps require Administrator privileges. It is advisable to create a system restore point and back up any important data before making changes to the Windows Registry.
- Press Win + R and type regedit to open the Windows Registry Editor.
- Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions. To expedite the process, copy the path and paste it into the address bar.
- Right-click on Shell Extensions and select New > Key.
- Rename the new key to Blocked.
- Right-click on Blocked and select New > String Value.
- Rename the new string value to {BFE0E2A4-C70C-4AD7-AC3D-10D1ECEBB5B4} and press Enter.
- Restart your computer.
Upon rebooting, the “Edit with Photos” option will no longer clutter your context menus.
Restoring “Edit with Photos” in Windows 11 Context Menus
If you change your mind and wish to restore the “Edit with Photos” option, the process is equally simple:
- Press Win + R and type regedit to access the Windows Registry Editor.
- Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked.
- Delete the {BFE0E2A4-C70C-4AD7-AC3D-10D1ECEBB5B4} value.
- Restart your computer.
After the restart, the “Edit with Photos” option will reappear in your context menus, ready for use.
While uninstalling the Photos app is an option to eliminate its context menu entries, it may not be the most practical solution, given the app’s robust image editing capabilities. What are your thoughts on the new “Edit with Photos” feature in Windows 11? Is it a valuable addition or an unnecessary complication? We invite you to share your opinions in the comments.
