How to Disable Auto Enhance in Photos on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

By / September 4, 2025

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:

  • Brightening dark areas

  • Adjusting white balance

  • Boosting colors

  • 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:

  • Preserve originality: Keep photos exactly as they were captured.

  • Professional editing: Avoid automatic tweaks before editing in Photoshop, Lightroom, or other tools.

  • Consistency: Ensure multiple photos keep the same tone and look.

  • 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

  • Press Start and search for Photos.

  • Click to launch the Windows 11 Photos app.

Step 2: Go to App Settings

  • In the Photos app, click the three-dot menu (….) at the top-right corner.

  • Select Settings from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Find the Auto Enhance Option

  • Scroll down to the Viewing and Editing section.

  • Look for the option labeled Automatically enhance my photos.

Step 4: Turn It Off

  • Toggle the switch off.

  • 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

  • Right-click on any photo.

  • Select Open with > Choose another app.

  • 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:

  • Use Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom for professional edits.

  • 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:

  • Open the photo in Photos app.

  • Click Edit image (pencil icon).

  • Remove filters or reset adjustments manually.

How to Re-Enable Auto Enhance (If Needed)

Changed your mind? You can easily turn it back on:

  1. Open Photos app.

  2. Go to Settings.

  3. 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

  • Open Microsoft Store.

  • Search for Photos.

  • If an update is available, install it.

Reset the Photos App

  1. Press Win + I (Settings).

  2. Go to Apps > Installed apps.

  3. Find Photos → click Advanced options.

  4. Scroll down → select Reset.

Use a Different Default Viewer

If all else fails, set another app as your default photo viewer:

  1. Press Win + I → Apps > Default apps.

  2. Scroll to Photos.

  3. Change the default app for file types like .jpg, .png, etc.

Pros and Cons of Disabling Auto Enhance

Let’s weigh it out:

✅ Pros

  • Keeps photos authentic.

  • Perfect for professional editing.

  • Prevents over-processed images.

  • More consistent results.

❌ Cons

  • You’ll need to manually adjust photos if they’re too dark or dull.

  • Extra time spent on editing.

  • 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:

  • IrfanView (lightweight, fast viewer)

  • FastStone Image Viewer (user-friendly, customizable)

  • XnView MP (great for bulk photo management)

  • Adobe Bridge (professional file management)

Tips for Managing Photos Without Auto Enhance

  • Shoot RAW images if your camera supports it. These preserve details without forced adjustments.

  • Batch edit using apps like Lightroom to keep a consistent look.

  • 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.

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How to Open Notepad in Windows 11: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Notepad is one of the oldest and simplest apps that comes pre-installed with Windows. Despite its minimal design, it’s still widely used for writing quick notes, editing text files, or even coding. If you’ve just upgraded to Windows 11, you might be wondering how to open Notepad since Microsoft gave the app a modern redesign and slightly changed how you access it.

Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll walk you through different ways to open Notepad in Windows 11, along with some handy tips and tricks to get the most out of it.

Why Use Notepad in Windows 11?

Before we get into the “how,” let’s quickly cover the “why.”

  • Fast and lightweight: Opens instantly without lag.

  • Distraction-free writing: No complicated tools—just plain text.

  • Coding and scripting: Supports formats like .html, .bat, .py, and more.

  • Editing system files: Useful for quick configuration changes.

  • Always available: Comes built into every version of Windows.

Think of Notepad as your digital sticky note—simple, reliable, and always there when you need it.

Different Ways to Open Notepad in Windows 11

There’s not just one way to open Notepad. Windows 11 offers multiple methods depending on your preference.

Method 1: Use the Start Menu

This is the most straightforward method.

  1. Click the Start button (Windows icon) on the taskbar.

  2. In the search bar, type Notepad.

  3. Select Notepad from the results.

Quick, easy, and reliable.

Method 2: Use the Run Command

If you love shortcuts, this one’s for you.

  1. Press Win + R on your keyboard.

  2. Type:

    notepad

  3. Press Enter.

Notepad will open instantly.

Method 3: Use Windows Search

Another quick way:

  1. Press Win + S to open the search box.

  2. Type Notepad.

  3. Click the app from the search results.

Method 4: Use Command Prompt (CMD)

Perfect for those who like using the terminal.

  1. Press Win + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.

  2. In Command Prompt, type:

    notepad

  3. Hit Enter.

Notepad will launch right away.

Method 5: Use Windows PowerShell

Another command-line method.

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell.

  2. Type:

    notepad

  3. Press Enter.

Method 6: Create a Desktop Shortcut

If you use Notepad often, a shortcut makes sense.

  1. Right-click on your desktop → select New > Shortcut.

  2. In the location field, type:

    notepad.exe

  3. Click Next, name it Notepad, and click Finish.

Now you can open Notepad directly from your desktop.

Method 7: Pin Notepad to Taskbar or Start Menu

For even quicker access:

  1. Open Notepad using any method above.

  2. Right-click its icon in the taskbar.

  3. Select Pin to taskbar (or Pin to Start).

Now, it’s just one click away.

Method 8: Open Notepad with Cortana

If you use voice commands:

  1. Press Win + C to activate Cortana (if enabled).

  2. Say “Open Notepad”.

Cortana will launch it for you.

Bonus: New Features of Notepad in Windows 11

Microsoft gave Notepad a much-needed facelift in Windows 11. Here’s what’s new:

  • Modern design with rounded corners and Mica background.

  • Dark mode support that adapts to your system theme.

  • Multi-level undo/redo for better editing.

  • Better find & replace with improved UI.

  • Improved performance for large files.

So if you haven’t tried the new Notepad yet, it’s worth checking out.

Troubleshooting: Notepad Not Working?

If Notepad won’t open, here’s how to fix it.

1. Reset Notepad App

  1. Press Win + I (Settings).

  2. Go to Apps > Installed apps.

  3. Search for Notepad.

  4. Click Advanced options → select Reset.

2. Reinstall Notepad from Microsoft Store

Yes, in Windows 11, Notepad is a standalone app.

  1. Open Microsoft Store.

  2. Search for Notepad.

  3. Install or update it.

3. Run System File Checker

If system files are corrupted:

  1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).

  2. Type:

    sfc /scannow

  3. Press Enter and let Windows repair itself.

Tips for Using Notepad Efficiently

  • Use Ctrl + F for quick searches.

  • Try Word Wrap (Format menu) to keep text tidy.

  • Save files with custom extensions (e.g., .html, .bat).

  • Combine with command-line tools for coding tasks.

Conclusion

Opening Notepad in Windows 11 is simple, and you have multiple ways to do it—from the Start Menu and Run dialog to Command Prompt and even Cortana. Microsoft has also improved Notepad with a modern design and new features, making it more useful than ever.

Whether you’re jotting down notes, editing scripts, or just opening a quick text file, Notepad remains one of the handiest apps on Windows 11.

FAQs

1. Is Notepad pre-installed on Windows 11?
Yes, but unlike older versions, it’s now a separate app that can also be updated via Microsoft Store.

2. Can I uninstall Notepad in Windows 11?
Yes, but it’s not recommended. If you do, you can reinstall it anytime from Microsoft Store.

3. Does Notepad support dark mode in Windows 11?
Yes! It adapts to your system theme or can be set manually.

4. Can I use Notepad for programming?
Yes, though it’s very basic. For advanced coding, use editors like VS Code or Notepad++.

5. What’s the difference between Notepad and WordPad?
Notepad is plain-text only, while WordPad supports rich text formatting, images, and more advanced document features.

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