Windows Photo program: I updated my laptop last week. Now the program that I've used for photo editing is lacking the "blemish" tool. NOT GOOD!! Does anyone else use this program?

BeachLady Loc: Surfside Beach, SC

I updated my laptop last week. Now the program that I've used for photo editing is lacking the "blemish" tool. NOT GOOD!! Does anyone else use this program? And...have you found that little circle to remove spots? I have some grease on the mirror (I think) and just need to hit a spot or three with the tool. THANKS!

This is the screen I see:

therwol Loc: USA

BeachLady wrote:

I updated my laptop last week. Now the program that I've used for photo editing is lacking the "blemish" tool. NOT GOOD!! Does anyone else use this program? And...have you found that little circle to remove spots? I have some grease on the mirror (I think) and just need to hit a spot or three with the tool. THANKS!

This is the screen I see:

Three features were removed in the Windows 11 Photos app. 1. Spot Fix. 2. Red eye reduction. 3. Clarity. Complaints are all over the internet. If this is important to you, can you roll back to Windows 10? The time limit is 10 days, and you may be pushing it if you updated last week. You will be able to use Windows 10 with support for another 3 years. There are third party apps that provide spot removal, but personally, I find the Spot Fix feature in Windows Photos app to be quick and effective and less complicated than anything else I use.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/what-happened-to-the-spot-fix-tool-in-photos-it-is/8ac16c04-2952-4ea3-8d6e-006e9662a7db

How to roll back to Windows 10

https://www.computerworld.com/article/3637879/how-to-get-rid-of-windows-11-and-roll-back-to-windows-10.html

BeachLady Loc: Surfside Beach, SC

Thank you - I tried the rollback, and it isn't an option. I guess it's been longer than I thought. ;-(

Luft93 Loc: Finger Lakes, NY

BeachLady wrote:

I updated my laptop last week. Now the program that I've used for photo editing is lacking the "blemish" tool. NOT GOOD!! Does anyone else use this program? And...have you found that little circle to remove spots? I have some grease on the mirror (I think) and just need to hit a spot or three with the tool. THANKS!

This is the screen I see:

Take a look at Faststone Image Viewer free, easy to learn, better than Windows Photo. Will do what you need.

dbrugger25 Loc: Raleigh, NC

It seems that Windows 11 and Microsoft Edge are downgrades from Windows 10. I wish I had never "upgraded". I guess the new Microsoft strategy is: If you want features you have to pay for them.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Luft93 wrote:

Take a look at Faststone Image Viewer free, easy to learn, better than Windows Photo. Will do what you need.

Another vote for “Faststone Image Viewer!” It’s much, much more than a image manager/viewer and is often to only program I use for simple fixes. Highly recommended! And…. if you like and use, a contribution to the author is a “good” thing though not required. Try it, you’ll like it!

Robdur

Another vote for Faststone Image Viewer. Been using it a long time. A great program.

BeachLady Loc: Surfside Beach, SC

OK - now the question is...can I "copy" the old photo program from my other untouched computer...and download it to my laptop? I travel a lot, so I need the old photo program on the laptop.

rck281 Loc: Overland Park, KS

BeachLady wrote:

OK - now the question is...can I "copy" the old photo program from my other untouched computer...and download it to my laptop? I travel a lot, so I need the old photo program on the laptop.

You can't "copy" a program to another computer. You will have to install it on the second computer in the same manner it was installed on the first. This all depends on the license requirements. Can you use it on two computers? Does it require activation?

spaceytracey Loc: East Glacier Park, MT

Well that sucks. I guess I'll hang onto W10 for a while longer. As for spot removal, I prefer the scratch/spot remover in my PSE 11.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

BeachLady wrote:

I updated my laptop last week. Now the program that I've used for photo editing is lacking the "blemish" tool. NOT GOOD!! Does anyone else use this program? And...have you found that little circle to remove spots? I have some grease on the mirror (I think) and just need to hit a spot or three with the tool. THANKS!

This is the screen I see:

Grease on the mirror will not cause spots on the image, only what you see in the viewfinder. You probably have dust in the sensor.

BeachLady Loc: Surfside Beach, SC

I will! Thank you.

BeachLady Loc: Surfside Beach, SC

Thanks. I misspoke. Dust it is! I've sent it in once, but they've come back and I just don't have time to send it in again before a trip. Just as easy (or it WAS) to remove the spots!

therwol Loc: USA

BeachLady wrote:

OK - now the question is...can I "copy" the old photo program from my other untouched computer...and download it to my laptop? I travel a lot, so I need the old photo program on the laptop.

No, and all links to the "old" Photos app in the Microsoft Store all point to the new version now. One older app that is pretty effective in removing spots is the Photo Gallery in the Windows Live Essentials. This was an integral part of Windows 7 and an optional download with later versions, but support ended in 2017, and Microsoft won't provide it any longer. I installed it along with the Movie Maker on my Windows 10 machines. If you want to try it, here is a link to a third party download (CNET).

https://download.cnet.com/Windows-Live-Essentials-2012/3000-20418_4-10805747.html

By the way, I never have to remove spots from my digital photos, though I may remove objects. I need to remove spots from scanned negatives and slides, and there are plenty. I can click away 100 spots in a couple of minutes in the old Photos app. Photoshop and Lightroom have the ability to do this, but they aren't as fast or easy.

BeachLady Loc: Surfside Beach, SC

Thanks!! I liked (and taught!) Movie Maker. I probably have that older version on my desktop.