Windows 11 comes with a modern Photos app that lets you view, edit, and organize pictures without needing third-party software. One of its built-in features is Auto Enhance, which automatically adjusts brightness, contrast, and color when you open or edit photos.
Sounds helpful, right? Well, not always.
For some users, Auto Enhance can feel intrusive—altering the natural look of photos, over-sharpening details, or changing tones that were intentional. If you prefer your photos to stay exactly as they are, the good news is you can turn off Auto Enhance in Windows 11’s Photos app.
This step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to do it, along with alternative ways to keep your images untouched.
What Is Auto Enhance in Windows 11 Photos App?
Auto Enhance is a default image adjustment tool in the Windows Photos app. It tries to make your photos look “better” by:
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Brightening dark areas
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Adjusting white balance
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Boosting colors
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Reducing noise or blurriness
While this sounds useful, photographers, designers, and everyday users often prefer manual control. Sometimes, the edited result doesn’t match your original vision.
Why Disable Auto Enhance?
Here’s why you might want to turn it off:
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Preserve originality: Keep photos exactly as they were captured.
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Professional editing: Avoid automatic tweaks before editing in Photoshop, Lightroom, or other tools.
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Consistency: Ensure multiple photos keep the same tone and look.
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Accuracy: Prevent changes in skin tones or natural lighting.
Think of Auto Enhance like a friend who insists on “fixing” your painting—it might help sometimes, but often it changes the vibe.
Step-by-Step: Disable Auto Enhance in Photos on Windows 11
Now let’s get practical. Follow these steps to turn off Auto Enhance:
Step 1: Open the Photos App
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Press Start and search for Photos.
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Click to launch the Windows 11 Photos app.
Step 2: Go to App Settings
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In the Photos app, click the three-dot menu (….) at the top-right corner.
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Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
Step 3: Find the Auto Enhance Option
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Scroll down to the Viewing and Editing section.
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Look for the option labeled Automatically enhance my photos.
Step 4: Turn It Off
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Toggle the switch off.
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Once disabled, Photos will stop applying Auto Enhance to your pictures.
That’s it—you’ve successfully disabled the feature!
Alternative Ways to Avoid Auto Enhancements
Even after turning off Auto Enhance, there are other tricks to ensure your photos stay untouched.
1. Use “Open With” to Bypass Photos App
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Right-click on any photo.
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Select Open with > Choose another app.
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Pick another image viewer (e.g., Paint, IrfanView, or third-party apps).
This way, you avoid the Photos app entirely.
2. Edit Photos in External Software
Instead of relying on Windows Photos for editing:
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Use Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom for professional edits.
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Try free options like GIMP, Paint.NET, or Darktable.
These apps give you full manual control over every adjustment.
3. Disable Filters in Editing Mode
If you accidentally apply edits in Photos:
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Open the photo in Photos app.
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Click Edit image (pencil icon).
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Remove filters or reset adjustments manually.
How to Re-Enable Auto Enhance (If Needed)
Changed your mind? You can easily turn it back on:
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Open Photos app.
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Go to Settings.
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Toggle Automatically enhance my photos back to On.
This flexibility means you can switch it on when you want quick adjustments and off when you want raw accuracy.
Troubleshooting: Auto Enhance Still Active?
Sometimes, users report that Auto Enhance keeps interfering even after disabling it. Here’s how to fix that:
Check for Photos App Updates
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Open Microsoft Store.
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Search for Photos.
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If an update is available, install it.
Reset the Photos App
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Press Win + I (Settings).
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Go to Apps > Installed apps.
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Find Photos → click Advanced options.
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Scroll down → select Reset.
Use a Different Default Viewer
If all else fails, set another app as your default photo viewer:
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Press Win + I → Apps > Default apps.
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Scroll to Photos.
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Change the default app for file types like
.jpg,.png, etc.
Pros and Cons of Disabling Auto Enhance
Let’s weigh it out:
✅ Pros
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Keeps photos authentic.
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Perfect for professional editing.
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Prevents over-processed images.
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More consistent results.
❌ Cons
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You’ll need to manually adjust photos if they’re too dark or dull.
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Extra time spent on editing.
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Beginners may miss out on quick automatic improvements.
Best Alternatives to Windows Photos App
If you’re done with auto enhancements altogether, here are some excellent alternatives:
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IrfanView (lightweight, fast viewer)
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FastStone Image Viewer (user-friendly, customizable)
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XnView MP (great for bulk photo management)
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Adobe Bridge (professional file management)
Tips for Managing Photos Without Auto Enhance
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Shoot RAW images if your camera supports it. These preserve details without forced adjustments.
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Batch edit using apps like Lightroom to keep a consistent look.
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Organize folders by events, dates, or projects for easy navigation.
Conclusion
Auto Enhance in Windows 11 Photos app can be convenient, but it’s not for everyone. Many users prefer their images to stay natural, unedited, and ready for professional tools. By heading into Photos app settings and disabling the Automatically enhance my photos option, you take back full control over how your pictures look.
Whether you’re a casual photo lover or a pro editor, having the choice to disable Auto Enhance makes your Windows 11 experience more flexible and authentic.
FAQs
1. Does disabling Auto Enhance affect all photos?
Yes, once turned off, Photos won’t auto-adjust any images you open.
2. Can I still manually edit photos after disabling Auto Enhance?
Of course! You can still use all editing tools inside the Photos app.
3. Does Auto Enhance permanently change my pictures?
No. Auto Enhance only adjusts the viewing experience—it doesn’t overwrite the original file unless you save changes.
4. Is there a keyboard shortcut to disable Auto Enhance quickly?
No, you’ll need to toggle it off in the Photos app settings.
5. Will disabling Auto Enhance improve performance?
Slightly, yes. Without auto adjustments, the Photos app may load images a bit faster.