Windows Photo Gallery is a Windows application for viewing, organizing, and viewing images with a simple interface. Windows Photo Gallery is a default program in Windows Vista, but can also be used in Windows 7, 8, and 10 if you download it from the Microsoft site. This guide will cover the program's basic functions, how to download it, and how to import and edit images.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Getting Started
Step 1. Download Windows Photo Gallery
This program is part of Windows Essential, which can be downloaded from https://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/essentials. After the download is complete, run the installation program.
- Windows 7 and 8 users should download Windows Essentials 2012.
- Windows Vista users don't need to download any program because Photo Gallery is a default program.
Step 2. Open Windows Photo Gallery via the “Start > All Programs > Windows Photo Gallery” menu
Step 3. Add photos that are already on the computer
If you want to add a photo, drag and drop it into the Windows Photo Gallery window.
Step 4. Import photos from camera or other external device
To import photos, connect the device, then press "Home" > "Import". Select the device containing the photos you want to import, then confirm the action.
Step 5. Select where to save the imported photos (optional)
Click "More Options", and you will see a dialog box. In this dialog box, you can select the destination folder and the format for naming the photo subfolders (eg name + date, etc.). Click "OK" to confirm the action.
By default, the location for saving imported photos is the “My Pictures” folder. (“My Computer > My Pictures” or “C:\Users\[username]\My Pictures”)
Step 6. Complete the import process
After making adjustments, click "Import". You will see two options, namely “Import All New Items” and “Review, Organize, and Group Items to Import”.
- "Import All New Items" will import all photos in the source folder that are not in the destination folder.
- "Review, Organize and Group Items to Import" allows users to select and arrange photos to be imported.
Method 2 of 2: Organizing and Sharing Photos
Step 1. Arrange photos with tags and captions
You can tag photos to help find and categorize them. Meanwhile, the description can accommodate additional information in the library. To tag a photo, click the photo, then click "Add Tags" in the "Details" panel. After that, enter the sign, and press Enter. Tags can also be applied to multiple images at once by selecting multiple photos before clicking "Add Tags". You can also add a caption the same way, by selecting the "Caption" field in the "Details" pane and entering text.
- If the Details pane does not appear, open the panel by clicking “Organize > Layout > Details pane”.
- You can select multiple items at once by clicking and dragging the item you want to select, or pressing Ctrl and selecting an item.
Step 2. Use the bottom panel to navigate, edit photos, and view them
The buttons on the bottom panel let you zoom in, rotate, navigate between photos, or delete photos. You can also display the selected item by clicking the middle button on the panel.
- Close the slideshow at any time by pressing Esc.
- Slideshow filters can be applied via the “Home > Slideshow” menu.
Step 3. Edit photos and fix minor defects
Some photo editing features can be applied to multiple photos at once. Windows Photo Viewer can adjust the brightness and contrast of photos automatically. To do so, select the photo you want to edit, then select "Edit > Adjustments > Auto Adjust". Other options that can be performed automatically include red eye removal and straightening.
- Manual editing can be done for a specific photo by selecting the photo and clicking "Edit > Adjustments > Fine Tune". This way, you can use the same tools to adjust your photos as you wish.
- You can undo unwanted actions by clicking "Edit > Revert to Original".
Step 4. Share and send photos
Windows Photo Gallery can connect with email clients and hardware to share photos directly from the program. Make sure your email client is set up, and that your printer is set up with the latest drivers before using it with Windows Photo Viewer.
- To send an email: Select the item you want to send, then click "Home > Share > Email". Select the photo size, then click "Attach". The email client will automatically open, and display a new email with the photo attachment you selected.
- To print: Select the item you want to print, then right-click the selected item and press "Print". Alternatively, you can also press Ctrl+P). A printing dialog box will open. Here, you can choose the size, layout, and number of prints of the photo. To confirm, click "Print".
Step 5. Export photos to external storage
Connect the storage device to the computer, then drag and drop the desired photos to the destination folder on the device.
Tips
- Windows provides more information and help with Windows Photo Gallery at Windows Help and Support. You can access the help page by clicking on the blue icon in the top right corner of the toolbar panel.
- If you use Windows Photo Gallery a lot, consider making Photo Gallery your default program for opening files via “Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > Set Default Programs”.
