Unlock OCR in Windows 11 Photos: A Step-by-Step Guide

Hey there, Windows explorers! Just when you thought you knew every nook and cranny of your Windows 11 operating system, Microsoft sneaks in a hidden feature that can transform how you interact with your images. Buckle up, because today we’re diving into a gem of a capability buried in the Photos app—Optical Character Recognition (OCR). That’s right, your Photos app now has the ability to extract text from images. Stick with me as I peel back the curtain on this feature, explain how it works, and walk you through the steps to activate it. Spoiler alert: It’s not enabled by default, and yes, you’ll have to get your hands dirty with the Registry Editor!

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So… What Exactly is OCR?​

Let’s break it down: OCR, or Optical Character Recognition, is tech magic that enables your computer to recognize and convert text embedded in an image into selectable, editable, and copyable content. Imagine this: you’ve just scanned a printed document and want to grab a specific line of text without re-typing everything. Well, OCR is your savior. Once activated, it can make text inside an image as manipulatable as something you'd type into a Word document or a text box.
OCR isn't new—Apple introduced it to macOS and iOS ages ago with their Live Text feature. Windows, however, has come late to the party, but better late than never, right? The built-in OCR functionality now exists not just in the Snipping Tool but also in the Windows 11 Photos app. Let’s celebrate efficiency: no more fumbling with third-party applications and online services with dodgy accuracy rates.

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Why Isn't OCR Enabled by Default?​

Here’s the catch that might make you roll your eyes: Microsoft, in its infinite wisdom, has left this nifty feature disabled by default in the Photos app. Why? Well, your guess is as good as ours. Maybe it's part of a secretive trial run, or perhaps Microsoft is waiting to plug this as a headline feature in an upcoming update. Whatever the reason, the feature is currently locked and stashed in Windows’ intricate Registry Editor—requiring you to activate it manually.
But fret not! I’ll act as your tour guide through the treacherous terrain of Regedit. Keep reading.

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How to Enable OCR in the Windows 11 Photos App​

Alright, before we venture into the wilderness that is the Windows Registry Editor, let’s gear up with some precautions. Editing the registry is a bit like performing tech surgery: done right, it works wonders; done wrong, it can lead to system issues—even fatal ones. So consider this your checklist:

Preparation:​

1. Update Everything: Ensure your copy of Windows 11 AND the Photos app are updated. You can update the app via the Microsoft Store.
2. Back Up Stuff: Create a system restore point or backup your Windows Registry. You can also keep a spare backup of important files.
3. Follow These Steps Precisely: Don’t skip steps, and be very cautious about what is edited.

Now, to the fun part:

Steps to Activate OCR in Photos App:​

1. Launch Registry Editor:
   • Press Windows + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
2. Find the Photos App Registry:
   • Navigate to the following path:
     C:/Users/<Your-Username>/AppData/Local/Packages/Microsoft.Windows.Photos_8weky/.../Settings.
   • Pro Tip: Your “username” refers to your actual user folder name.
3. Access and Load the Hive:
   • In Registry Editor, click HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, then File > Load Hive.
   • Locate the Settings.dat file inside the above folder and load it into the editor. Call this new hive “Photos”.
4. Modify Registry Keys:
   • Open a blank Notepad file on your PC.
   • Copy and paste the following text into Notepad:
     

     plaintext
     
          Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
     
          [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Photos\LocalState]
     
          "ExperimentationOverrideEnabled"=hex(5f5e10b):01,41,3f,99,74,67,16,db,01
     
          "ExperimentationOverride_ViewerOcr-IsEnabled"=hex(5f5e10b):01,9d,e2,9a,ee,81,3b,db,01

   • Save the file with the name Photos.reg (make sure it has the .reg extension, not .txt).
5. Import the File into Registry:
   • Double-click the saved .reg file. Accept any warnings and apply the changes.
   • Back in the Registry Editor, right-click the Photos hive and choose Unload Hive. Confirm and close the editor.
6. Restart and Enjoy:
   • Restart your Windows machine, then fire up the Photos app.
   • Open any image with text on it—try selecting that text like you would on a Word doc. Voila! Your hidden OCR is now operational.

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The Good, The Bad, and The Interesting​

How Good is the OCR?​

Having toyed with the feature, early reports suggest it performs surprisingly well. Compared to Apple’s macOS Photos app, Windows 11 OCR holds up admirably. Sure, Windows might occasionally mix up some numbers—or a character or two—but then again, Apple’s Live Text tends to fumble formatting. It’s not perfect, but it’s free, native, and reliable.

Limitations:​

1. The OCR in the Photos app works only with image files. So, PDF users, you’ll need to first take a screenshot of the PDF, then extract text using Photos OCR.
2. This feature doesn’t auto-activate. You’ll have to repeat the setup on any other Windows 11 PCs you use.

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Why This Matters for Everyday Users​

Whether it's extracting text from lecture notes, contracts, scanned receipts, or memes, OCR saves you from the pain of manual typing. By natively offering OCR, Microsoft eliminates the need for sketchy online tools that send your private data to unknown servers or browser plugins that are hit-or-miss with accuracy. Plus, it's a time-saver for professionals and casual users alike.

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The Broader Implications​

The addition of OCR to Windows 11 Photos is part of Microsoft’s slow-but-steady march to bake smarter, AI-powered tools directly into the OS. Features like Copilot, enhanced file explorer capabilities, and now OCR show Microsoft leaning heavily toward integrating seamless productivity solutions. By doing so, it’s simultaneously making third-party paid utilities redundant and convincing users to stay within its ecosystem.

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Final Thoughts: Text Liberation Awaits!​

This hidden feature might still feel like an experimental novelty, but there’s no doubt about the immense utility it brings. OCR integration into the Photos app makes routine tasks far quicker and proves Microsoft is keen to play catch-up with its competitors. The only question now is why Microsoft doesn’t flip the switch and enable OCR universally—without burying it behind layers of registry voodoo.
So, what do you think—will you enable this or wait for Microsoft to bring it center stage? Share your experience below, and let’s keep the discussion rolling!

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Source: XDA The Windows 11 Photos app has a secret feature you didn't know about