What is Auto-Categorization?
Microsoft’s latest Copilot feature for Windows 11 promises a calmer, more organized photo library. Auto-Categorization uses AI-driven image recognition to sort your images into four main groups: screenshots, receipts, identity documents, and notes. Even more helpful, it uses language-agnostic recognition, so non-English documents—like notes in French or German—can still be categorized correctly.
How it works
The system scans your photos, looks for distinctive visual cues, and then assigns each image to one of the four categories. It’s designed to run in the background, making it easy to locate specific items later via the Photos app’ s left navigation categories or by using the search bar. Microsoft describes the feature as a way to save time, reduce clutter, and make your library easier to navigate.
How to use Auto-Categorization
Right now, Auto-Categorization is rolling out to Windows 11 PCs across all Insider channels, but you’ll need a Copilot+ PC for it to work. You’ll also need the Microsoft Photos app updated to version 2025.11090.25001.0 or newer from the Microsoft Store. Once enabled, you can let the AI sort your collection, and then simply click on a category in the left sidebar or enter a search query to find what you’re looking for in seconds.
Why this matters for everyday photo management
With personal and professional photo libraries growing by the day, finding specific items can be a challenge. Auto-Categorization helps users reclaim time by turning chaotic image dumps into structured, easily navigable groups. The language-agnostic recognition broadens its usefulness for multilingual documents, travel receipts, or collaboration across teams that produce notes in different languages.
Where Copilot fits into Windows’ future
The Auto-Categorization feature is part of a broader expansion of Copilot across Windows. Earlier this month, Copilot entered Windows gaming, providing real-time tips and context without leaving the game. Copilot Vision, introduced in July 2025, lets the AI observe and describe what’s on your screen and offer verbal assistance, a capability not yet seen on ChromeOS or iOS. Microsoft is integrating Copilot more deeply into the Windows experience, with the Copilot app expected to install across devices that ship with the 365 desktop apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) starting in October.
Availability and expected impact
For users who rely on Windows 11 to manage thousands of photos, Auto-Categorization could become a daily productivity booster. The feature’s rollout through Insider channels suggests a staged release that will gradually widen to more devices as compatibility and performance stabilize. If you want to try it, ensure your Photos app is updated and that you have access to Copilot+ as part of your Windows setup.
