Windows 11 comes with many new features, including Spotlight and Photos app enhancements, which sometimes show the “Learn about this picture” overlay when viewing images. While it can be helpful for discovering more about your photos, many users find it distracting or unnecessary.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to get rid of “Learn About This Picture” in Windows 11 step by step, so you can enjoy your photos without interruptions.
🔑 Key Takeaways
-
The “Learn About This Picture” feature is part of Windows 11 Photos app and Spotlight.
-
You can disable it via Photos app settings or Windows 11 personalization settings.
-
Disabling it improves focus and prevents unwanted pop-ups on images.
-
The steps are beginner-friendly and require no technical expertise.
Why “Learn About This Picture” Appears
-
It is linked to Windows Spotlight on the lock screen.
-
Microsoft integrates AI and Bing search to provide information about images.
-
It appears when viewing images in the Photos app or on the lock screen wallpaper.
-
Some users find it useful; others see it as a distraction.
Method 1: Turn Off Spotlight in Windows 11
If the overlay appears on the lock screen, you can disable Spotlight:
Steps:
-
Press Windows + I to open Settings.
-
Go to Personalization > Lock screen.
-
Under Personalize your lock screen, select Picture or Slideshow instead of Windows Spotlight.
-
Restart your PC or lock the screen to see changes.
✅ This will prevent “Learn About This Picture” from appearing on your lock screen.
Method 2: Disable Info Cards in the Photos App
If the overlay appears in the Photos app, you can disable the feature:
Steps:
-
Open the Photos app.
-
Click the three dots (…) in the top-right corner and select Settings.
-
Scroll down to Viewing and editing section.
-
Toggle off Show suggestions, tips, or info cards (or similar wording).
-
Close and reopen the Photos app.
✅ The overlay should no longer appear when viewing images.
Method 3: Disable Bing and AI Suggestions
Some image info overlays rely on Bing or AI-powered insights. You can turn these off:
Steps:
-
Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Search Permissions.
-
Scroll to Cloud content search and toggle off Microsoft account cloud content.
-
Restart your PC.
✅ This reduces AI-driven pop-ups in Photos and other apps.
Method 4: Use a Different Image Viewer
If you prefer, you can replace the Photos app with another image viewer that doesn’t show overlays:
-
IrfanView – lightweight, fast, and free.
-
XnView – supports multiple formats and batch operations.
-
Windows Photo Viewer – the classic app can be restored via registry tweaks.
💡 Tip: Right-click an image, select Open with, and choose your preferred viewer.
Troubleshooting
-
Overlay still appears?
→ Make sure Photos app settings and lock screen personalization are both adjusted. -
Feature reappears after updates?
→ Check the settings again, as Windows updates may reset defaults. -
Cannot find toggle in Photos app?
→ Ensure your app is updated to the latest version via Microsoft Store.
Comparison of Methods
| Method | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Turn off Spotlight | Lock screen overlay | Prevents lock screen pop-ups |
| Disable info cards in Photos | Photos app overlay | Stops tips inside Photos app |
| Disable Bing/AI suggestions | AI-driven pop-ups | Reduces cloud-based suggestions |
| Use alternative viewer | Full control over viewing | No overlays, lightweight |
Conclusion
The “Learn About This Picture” overlay in Windows 11 can be disabled easily. Depending on where it appears:
-
Lock screen: Turn off Windows Spotlight.
-
Photos app: Disable info cards and suggestions.
-
Cloud/AI overlays: Adjust privacy/search settings.
-
Alternative viewers: Avoid Photos app entirely.
By following these steps, you can enjoy images without distractions and improve your Windows 11 experience.
FAQs: “Learn About This Picture” in Windows 11
1. Can I permanently remove the overlay from all apps?
Yes, by adjusting Photos app settings and disabling Spotlight/AI suggestions.
2. Does turning off Spotlight affect my wallpapers?
Yes, you’ll no longer get rotating Spotlight wallpapers but can use a static picture or slideshow.
3. Will updates bring back the overlay?
Sometimes, Windows updates reset settings, so you may need to reapply changes.
4. Can I still get image info without the overlay?
Yes, you can manually search in Bing or use third-party apps for image details.
5. Is this feature available on all Windows 11 editions?
Yes, but some options may vary depending on your version and updates.