Unlock OCR in Windows 11 Photos: Extract Text from Images Easily

In an interesting turn of events for Windows 11 enthusiasts, Microsoft appears to be stealthily rolling out a long-anticipated feature—Optical Character Recognition (OCR)—for its Photos app. Previously limited to tools like the Snipping Tool and Phone Link, this newly unearthed functionality allows users to extract text directly from images, making document digitization and text copying simpler than ever. If you thought only specialized apps like Adobe Acrobat or Google Lens could do this trick, think again—you now have one more reason to celebrate an upgraded Windows experience.
However, before you rush to locate this feature, there’s a slight catch—it’s disabled by default, and accessing it requires a bit of technical ingenuity. But don’t worry, we’ll guide you on how to unlock it, explain what OCR is for the uninitiated, and break down why this could be a game-changer for productivity.

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What’s the Buzz About OCR in Photos?​

The Hidden Feature​

The OCR functionality in Windows 11's Photos app allows users to identify and extract text seamlessly from any image—with just a click. While apps like Snipping Tool already include similar OCR capabilities, its addition to Photos is a welcomed step forward for organizing and interacting with image-based documents. A user-friendly “Scan Text” button, located in the bottom central toolbar of the Photos app, will appear once the feature is activated. From there, extracting text becomes as easy as selecting and copying.
The photos app OCR made headlines thanks to a registry tweak discovered by Microsoft researcher Albacore and later tested by Windows Latest. This means the feature may still be in an experimental phase and is not enabled for most users by default—which is where hacking into the registry comes into play.

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Unlock Windows Photos OCR: Step-by-Step Instructions​

Effectively enabling this experimental OCR functionality involves modifying the Windows Registry. This may sound intimidating if you’re new to registry tweaks, but the steps themselves are straightforward:

1. Open the Registry Editor (Regedit):
   • Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
2. Load the Hive for the Photos App:
   • Click File > Load Hive.
   • Navigate to %localappdata%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.Photos_8wekyb3d8bbwe\Settings.
   • Select the settings.dat file and type Photos when asked for a Key Name.
3. Create a .reg File for Activation:
   • Open Notepad and paste the following code:
     
     Code:

     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 a .reg extension (e.g., EnablePhotosOCR.reg).
   • Double-click the file to import the registry settings.
4. Unload the Hive:
   • Go back to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE in the Registry Editor.
   • Click File > Unload Hive and confirm.
5. Restart the Photos App:
   • Ensure it was closed before tweaking the settings, then relaunch it. Voilà, the OCR feature should now be active!

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How Does OCR Work?​

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is a sophisticated technology that converts printed or handwritten text in images into machine-encoded text. In simpler terms, OCR makes text “readable” to computers. Here’s a quick overview of how it functions behind the scenes:

1. Scan and Analyze the Image:
   • The software identifies distinct contrast regions (e.g., dark text on light backgrounds) and divides the image into recognizable sections.
2. Character Recognition:
   • Each section of the image is processed to identify individual alphanumeric characters, symbols, and punctuation using pattern recognition and AI algorithms.
3. Post-Processing:
   • Spelling and grammar checks are applied to refine the captured text, ensuring accurate readability.

Modern OCR systems, like the one embedded in Windows 11’s Photos app, are powered by machine learning models capable of recognizing not just plain text but also stylized fonts, logos, and even skewed or mirrored text. As verified in tests, the feature worked impressively well, accurately extracting text from elaborate icons and graphics.

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Why OCR in Photos Is a Big Deal​

Smarter Workflows​

Previously, users had to juggle multiple apps—like Snipping Tool, Phone Link, or even third-party software—to extract text from images. With OCR in the Photos app, you can access all image-processing capabilities in one place. Imagine snapping a picture of a document, opening it in Photos, and pulling out editable text directly without additional tools. This could save time and enhance productivity for users dealing with forms, receipts, or legal docs.

Accessibility​

OCR isn’t just about convenience; it makes digital content more accessible. Individuals with visual impairments or dyslexia can leverage OCR-equipped apps to convert images into text, which screen readers can then vocalize.

Future Integration​

If Photos OCR proves successful, it could set the stage for further integration across Windows. Snapping a screenshot in Snipping Tool and editing it in Photos for text extraction, for instance, would create a seamless ecosystem. Adding features like live translation or search integration (similar to Google Lens) could elevate Microsoft’s apps to new heights.

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Final Thoughts: A Feature Worth Exploring​

While unlocking this experimental OCR feature requires patience and technical know-how, it’s worth the effort if you’re someone who frequently works with image-based text. For casual Windows users, this also signals exciting updates down the road as Microsoft continues to refine its suite of productivity tools.
Will OCR in the Photos app rival standalone apps like Adobe Acrobat or online services like Google Lens? Time will tell, but first impressions are very promising—it’s precise, efficient, and integrates naturally into the workflow of Windows 11 users.
Feeling adventurous? Crack open that registry editor and give Windows 11's Photos app a new superpower. As always, proceed with caution—tread carefully in Regedit land to avoid unintended system changes!
What are your thoughts? Have you tested the OCR feature? Let us know in the comments on WindowsForum.com—where the community gets geeky about all things Windows!

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Source: Windows Latest Turn on Windows 11’s hidden OCR feature in Photos app. It’s really good.