Unlock Hidden Text with OCR in Windows 11 Photos App

Unlocking Hidden Text in Your Images​

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a staring contest with a screenshot containing valuable information? Whether it's a quote, a recipe scribbled on a napkin, or even a brilliant idea written on a whiteboard, the new Optical Character Recognition (OCR) capabilities in the Windows 11 Photos app are here to rescue you. This handy feature transforms your images into text that can be easily copied and pasted anywhere you need it. Let's dive into how this works and how to maximize your experience.

What is OCR and How Does it Work?​

Optical Character Recognition, or OCR, is a technology that converts different types of documents, like scanned paper documents, PDFs, or images taken by a digital camera, into editable and searchable data. Windows 11 integrates OCR into its Photos app, allowing you to extract text from your pictures seamlessly. It’s not just a trendy piece of tech jargon; it's an essential tool that enhances accessibility, especially for users who may be visually impaired.
When you open an image in the Photos app, the program automatically scans the image for recognizable text. It's like having a personal assistant who spots the important stuff in your photos, allowing you to extract information without manual typing. Better yet, it makes digital content more accessible, bridging the gap for users that need it most.

How to Copy Text from an Image​

Using OCR in the Windows 11 Photos app is as easy as 1-2-3:

1. Open Your Image: Launch the Photos app and find the image that contains the text you wish to copy.
2. Allow the Scan: Give the Photos app a few moments to analyze the image. You may see it highlight the text found as it gets to work.
3. Select and Copy: Once the text is displayed on the screen, simply select it. A right-click (or long-press on touch devices) will reveal a context menu where you can select "Copy."

Voila! You can now paste this text anywhere you need, whether it's a word processor, an email, or even a social media post. It’s a game-changer for productivity, turning time-consuming manual entry into a quick copy-and-paste operation.

Turning Off Automatic Scanning​

Maybe you find this auto-scan feature a touch intrusive, or you simply prefer to keep things old-school. If so, fret not! You can easily disable the automatic OCR scanning. Just follow these steps:

1. Open the Photos app.
2. Click on Settings.
3. Under Personalization, toggle the option for "Automatically scan images for text" to Off.

Related Features and More​

While we’re on the subject of the Photos app, it’s worth mentioning that it’s packed with features beyond text extraction. From basic editing tools to organizing your photo collection efficiently, it’s a powerful ally for anyone working with images regularly.
For those who utilize Microsoft 365, the entire suite offers added benefits including advanced training resources, community support, and security features.

Conclusion: Transform Your Images into Edit-Ready Text​

The incorporation of OCR technology into Windows 11’s Photos app encapsulates a notable leap forward in user convenience and accessibility. Whether it’s for students pulling text from lecture slides or professionals needing to reference written notes quickly, this feature proves invaluable.
Next time you take a photo or screenshot, remember there’s more to it than meets the eye! So go ahead, let the Photos app do the heavy lifting, and unlock the text hidden within. You’ll find that a picture can be worth a lot more than a thousand words. Happy copying!
Source: Microsoft Support Detect and copy text from your photos - Microsoft Support