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

Have you ever opened a photo on your Windows 11 PC and thought, “Hmm… this doesn’t look quite like what I shot”?
That’s because the Photos app automatically applies an auto-enhance filter to your pictures by default.

While this feature is meant to make your photos look better — brighter colors, better contrast, sharper details — sometimes you just want to see the original image as it is, without any edits.

In this article, I’ll show you exactly how to disable auto enhance in Photos on Windows 11, step by step, so you can view your images in their true form.

Table of Contents

Why Windows 11 Photos App Enhances Images by Default

The Windows 11 Photos app has an Auto Enhance feature designed to improve photo quality automatically.

It adjusts:

Brightness & Contrast – Makes images look livelier
Color Saturation – Boosts colors for a vibrant look
Clarity & Sharpness – Makes details pop

Sounds great, right? But sometimes it makes your photos look artificial — especially if you’re working with professional photography, raw images, or editing projects where accuracy matters.

When You Should Disable Auto Enhance

Here are a few scenarios where turning off Auto Enhance makes sense:

Photo Editing – You want to see the raw, unedited image before applying your own edits
Comparisons – You’re comparing before-and-after shots and need accuracy
Professional Workflows – Designers, photographers, and artists need a neutral starting point
Personal Preference – You simply prefer the natural look over enhanced images

How to Disable Auto Enhance in Windows 11 Photos

Alright, let’s get practical. Here’s the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Open the Photos App

Click Start and type Photos
Press Enter to open the app

Step 2: Open Settings in Photos

In the top-right corner, click the three dots (…)
Select Settings from the dropdown menu

Step 3: Find the Auto Enhance Toggle

Scroll down until you see the Automatically enhance my photos option.

Step 4: Turn Off Auto Enhance

Simply toggle it off.
From now on, your photos will appear exactly as they are — no automatic filters applied.

How to Disable Auto Enhance for a Single Photo

Maybe you don’t want to turn off the feature entirely — just for one image.

Here’s How:

Open the photo in the Photos app
Click the Edit image (pencil icon) at the top
If Auto Enhance is applied, click the Auto Enhance button to toggle it off

This is perfect when you just want a one-time adjustment without changing global settings.

Alternative: Use a Different Photo Viewer

If you want a completely untouched viewing experience, consider using a third-party photo viewer.

Great Alternatives to Windows 11 Photos App

IrfanView – Lightweight, no automatic edits
XnView MP – Fast, supports many file formats
FastStone Image Viewer – Feature-rich and neutral rendering

These apps show your photos exactly as they are, without hidden enhancements.

Tips to Make Photos Look Natural Without Auto Enhance

If your images still look off even after disabling auto enhance, here are some tips:

Calibrate Your Monitor – Ensure your screen shows accurate colors
Shoot in RAW (if using a camera) – Gives you full control over editing
Adjust in Editing Software – Use Photoshop, GIMP, or Lightroom for precise control

Potential Downsides of Disabling Auto Enhance

Turning off auto enhance has a few trade-offs you should know about:

Duller Colors – Your photos may look less vibrant
Lower Contrast – They might appear flat
Extra Editing Time – You may need to manually edit photos for better presentation

But if accuracy is your goal, these trade-offs are worth it.

How to Re-Enable Auto Enhance Later

Changed your mind? No worries — you can turn it back on anytime:

Go back to Photos > Settings
Toggle Automatically enhance my photos back on

Troubleshooting: Auto Enhance Still Active

If you turned off the setting but your images still look enhanced, try these fixes:

Update the Photos App – Open Microsoft Store > Library > Update
Reset the Photos App – Settings > Apps > Installed Apps > Photos > Advanced Options > Reset
Check HDR Settings – Windows 11 HDR can make images look more vibrant (disable if needed)

Why This Matters for Creators and Professionals

For photographers, designers, and content creators, seeing the unedited truth of an image is critical. Auto-enhanced previews can lead to incorrect edits, oversaturated colors, or poor print results.

By turning off auto enhance, you ensure what you see is what you get — the exact data captured by your camera.

Final Thoughts

Auto Enhance in Windows 11 Photos is a neat feature for casual users, but not everyone wants it. Whether you’re a professional photographer, a designer, or just someone who likes their images untouched, disabling it ensures you see photos in their natural state.

It only takes a few clicks to turn it off, and you can always re-enable it later if you change your mind.

FAQs

1. Does disabling Auto Enhance affect the actual photo file?
No — it only affects how photos are displayed in the Photos app. Your original files remain unchanged.

2. Will disabling Auto Enhance speed up the Photos app?
Yes, slightly — the app won’t spend extra processing time enhancing images.

3. Can I disable Auto Enhance on Windows 10 too?
Yes, the process is almost identical in Windows 10 Photos settings.

4. Do third-party apps also auto enhance photos?
Most third-party viewers like IrfanView do not apply automatic enhancements by default.

5. Can I disable Auto Enhance per photo permanently?
No — the per-photo option only works temporarily. For permanent changes, disable it in Settings.