Microsoft Photos to Auto-Categorize Receipts, Docs, and More with AI

Microsoft is rolling out a new AI-powered feature to the Photos app on Windows 11, designed to help users organize their photo libraries more efficiently. The update, currently being tested with Windows 11 Insiders on Copilot Plus PCs, will automatically sort specific types of images into dedicated folders based on their visual content. The feature uses artificial intelligence to identify and categorize photos of receipts, screenshots, identity documents, and handwritten notes—even if the text within them is in a language other than English. For instance, a photo of a Hungarian passport will still be recognized and placed in the identity documents folder, thanks to the app’s multilingual image recognition capabilities. Once images are sorted, users can access the newly created folders through the Categories section on the left-hand navigation panel in the Photos app. While the current version supports only four categories—screenshots, receipts, identity documents, and notes—future updates may allow users to customize the types of folders they want, such as photos of pets, vacations, or specific locations. This advancement aims to reduce the time and effort required to manually sort through cluttered photo collections. By automatically grouping similar images, the feature makes it easier to find important documents or personal photos without relying on file names or tags. The integration of AI into everyday tools like the Photos app reflects Microsoft’s broader push to embed intelligent automation into its operating system, enhancing productivity and user experience.