Windows Photos app will get its own magic eraser thanks to generative artificial intelligence

Photo editing with the help of generative artificial intelligence has become very easy and practical, especially from your mobile phone. It’s easier than ever to remove unwanted objects or people that ruin the perfect photo. For example, on Pixel you just need to use magic eraser from Google, and on the latest generation Samsung you can do the same with Galaxy AI. But Microsoft doesn’t want to be left behind and will offer a very similar option in the app. Photo from Windows 10 And Windows 11.

Redmond residents announced Generative erasure, or generative erasing, is a new tool that will soon be available in the Photos app of your desktop operating systems. This will allow remove elements from a photo quickly and in just a couple of clicks.

What’s truly innovative is that the developers decided not to limit the availability of this “magic eraser” only to Windows 11. Windows 10 users will also be able to take advantage of an interesting utility, which is great news. After all, the latter still holds 66.45% of the market share among PCs running Microsoft software.

The Photos app is by default set to open any image file saved on your Windows 10 or 11 PC. So, once the magic eraser is available, you just need to double-click the photo to edit and go to a new section. “Delete”which will appear in the top bar of the software. This section will be added to the existing ones: “Cropping”, “Correction”, “Filter”, “Review” and “Retouching”.

How does the new “magic eraser” work in Windows 10 and 11?

By entering “Delete”, a panel will open on the right side of the screen and you can use your mouse cursor as a brush to select what you want to delete. This feature will appear with the “Apply automatically” option enabled by default. However, Windows 10 and 11 users will be able to disable it to have more granular control over the erase tool.

If you choose the latter, you’ll have the option to increase or decrease the brush size, as well as erase multiple objects at once by applying layers. Microsoft used as an example a photo of a dog on the beach, where it captured a leash falling from its collar and several people appearing in the background of the scene. As you use layers, you can check to see if your changes are correct or if you need to undo them and try again.

The way the Magic Eraser works in Windows 10 and 11 is very similar to what we’ve previously seen on Android phones. Essentially generative artificial intelligence recognizes what is around the removed elements and reconstructs the removed spaces by copying their environment.

Of course, we’ll have to see how accurate the new tool in the Windows Photos app is. Of course, it all depends on how lit and complex the frame is. It’s also important to note that Windows 10 will get other AI-powered photo editing tools that have so far only been available in Windows 11. For example, blur, remove or replace image background.

Currently, Generative Erase, a magic eraser for Windows 10 and 11, is available to program participants. Windows Insider Program. It is not yet known when stable versions of both operating systems will appear.