How to View Favorites Photos on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you have marked photos as favorites on your Windows 11 computer and now want to find them quickly, you may be wondering how to view favorites photos on Windows 11. Instead of searching through hundreds or thousands of pictures manually, you can use the built-in Microsoft Photos app to organize and access your favorite images more easily.

The Photos app provides tools for browsing, organizing, editing, and managing pictures. Depending on the version of the Photos app installed on your PC, your favorites may appear through a dedicated Favorites area or within your photo collection and albums.

In this guide, we will explain how to view favorites photos on Windows 11 step by step. We will also cover how to favorite a photo, remove a photo from Favorites, troubleshoot missing favorites, and find photos when the Favorites section does not appear.

What Are Favorite Photos in Windows 11?

Favorite photos are pictures that you have specifically marked so they are easier to find later.

Instead of creating a separate folder and manually copying images into it, you can mark selected pictures as favorites within a supported photo-management application.

For example, you might favorite:

• Family photos
• Vacation pictures
• Important screenshots
• Favorite artwork
• Project images
• Special memories
• Photos you frequently reference

Think of Favorites like a bookmark for your photos. The original picture remains where it was stored, while the Photos app remembers that you selected it as a favorite.

Where Are Favorite Photos Stored?

This is an important distinction.

When you mark a photo as a favorite, Windows does not necessarily move the actual image into a new folder called Favorites.

Instead, the Photos app can store information about your selection and display the picture through its interface.

The original image may still be located in:

• Pictures
• OneDrive
• Downloads
• Desktop
• An imported folder
• An external drive
• Another indexed location

Therefore, don’t assume that searching File Explorer for a folder named “Favorites” will find your favorite pictures.

How to View Favorite Photos in Windows 11

The easiest method is through the Microsoft Photos app.

Step 1: Open the Photos App

Press the Windows key.

Type:

Photos

Select the Photos app from the search results.

Step 2: Open Your Photo Collection

Once Photos opens, browse the main photo collection.

Depending on your Photos app version, the navigation panel may contain different categories.

Look for an option such as:

Favorites

If it appears, select it.

Step 3: View Your Favorite Photos

The Favorites section should display photos you previously marked as favorites.

You can select an image to open it in a larger view.

From there, you can typically:

• View the photo
• Edit it
• Share it
• Delete it
• Remove it from Favorites

The exact buttons can vary depending on the current Photos app version.

How to Add a Photo to Favorites

If you have not created any favorites yet, you first need to mark photos as favorites.

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Photos app.
2. Find the photo you want to favorite.
3. Open the photo.
4. Look for the heart or Favorites option.
5. Select it.

The photo should then be added to your Favorites collection.

The exact appearance of the favorite button can vary between Photos app versions.

How to Favorite Multiple Photos

If you have many images to organize, you may want to mark several as favorites.

Depending on the Photos app version, you may be able to select multiple pictures and use the available favorite option.

A practical workflow is:

1. Open your photo collection.
2. Browse your images.
3. Select an important photo.
4. Mark it as a favorite.
5. Continue with other images.
6. Open Favorites later to see the selected collection.

This is useful for creating a shortlist of your best photos without moving the original files.

How to Remove a Photo From Favorites

Changed your mind about a photo?

You can usually remove it from Favorites without deleting the original picture.

Steps

1. Open Photos.
2. Go to Favorites.
3. Select the photo.
4. Choose the heart or Favorites control again.
5. Confirm or observe that the favorite status has been removed.

The photo should remain in its original location.

This is an important difference between unfavoriting and deleting.

Does Removing a Favorite Delete the Photo?

Normally, no.

Removing a photo from Favorites is not the same as deleting the image.

You are simply removing its favorite status.

For example:

Favorite → Unfavorite

The picture remains in your photo library.

By contrast:

Delete → Photo removed

Deleting a picture can move it to the Recycle Bin or otherwise remove it from the location being managed.

Always check which command you are selecting before deleting an important photo.

How to Find Favorite Photos if the Favorites Section Is Missing

One common problem is opening Photos and not seeing a Favorites section.

Don’t panic.

The Photos app has changed considerably between Windows releases, and Microsoft has introduced different Photos experiences over time.

First, check whether your photos are actually being displayed in the Photos app.

Check Your Photo Sources

Open the Photos app and look for settings or source-management options.

Your pictures may come from locations such as:

• Pictures folder
• OneDrive
• Additional folders
• Imported media
• Connected devices

If the folder containing your photos is not included, Photos may not show those images.

Add a Folder Containing Your Photos

If your pictures are stored in a custom folder, adding that folder to Photos may make them easier to access.

The exact steps depend on your Photos app version, but generally:

1. Open Photos.
2. Open its settings or gallery/source options.
3. Find the option for adding a folder.
4. Browse to your photo folder.
5. Select it.
6. Allow Photos to index the images.

After the pictures appear, you can organize them as needed.

How to Find Photos Using File Explorer

If the Photos app is not showing your favorites, you can still locate the original images using File Explorer.

Step 1: Open File Explorer

Press:

Windows + E

Step 2: Open Your Pictures Folder

Select Pictures from the navigation panel.

Step 3: Browse Your Images

Look through your folders and files.

You may also search for common image extensions such as:

• .jpg
• .jpeg
• .png
• .gif
• .bmp
• .webp

However, File Explorer generally does not provide the same Favorites view that the Photos app can provide.

How to Search for a Specific Photo in Windows 11

If you remember part of the filename, File Explorer search can help.

For example, suppose the photo is named:

Vacation-Beach-2025.jpg

You can search for:

Vacation

or:

Beach

Windows can then display files matching your search.

This is especially useful when you know where your photo collection is stored but cannot remember the exact folder.

How to View Favorite Photos From OneDrive

If your photos are stored in OneDrive, they may be synchronized with your PC depending on your OneDrive configuration.

You can check your OneDrive folder through File Explorer.

Look under:

OneDrive → Pictures

or another folder where your images are stored.

If Photos has access to that location, those images may also appear in the Photos app.

Keep in mind that OneDrive synchronization and Photos Favorites are separate concepts. Marking a photo as a favorite does not necessarily create a separate OneDrive folder containing that image.

Why Can’t I See My Favorite Photos?

There are several possible causes.

Cause 1: You Are Using a Different Photos App Version

Microsoft has changed the Photos application over time.

A tutorial written for an older Photos app may not exactly match the interface on your Windows 11 computer.

Cause 2: The Photos Source Folder Is Missing

The Photos app may no longer be monitoring the folder where your pictures are stored.

Cause 3: The Photo Was Deleted

If the original image was deleted or moved, it may no longer appear normally.

Cause 4: You Are Using a Different Microsoft Account

If your photos or associated app data were synchronized through a Microsoft account, account differences can affect what you see.

Cause 5: The App Needs an Update

An outdated or malfunctioning Photos application can cause unexpected behavior.

How to Update the Microsoft Photos App

If Photos is behaving strangely, check for an update through the Microsoft Store.

Steps

1. Open the Microsoft Store.
2. Select the library or update area.
3. Check for available app updates.
4. Install an available Photos update.
5. Restart Photos.

The exact Microsoft Store interface can change between Windows versions.

How to Repair the Photos App

Windows 11 provides app repair tools.

Step-by-Step

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Apps.
3. Choose Installed apps.
4. Find Microsoft Photos.
5. Open its advanced options.
6. Look for Repair.
7. Select Repair.

Windows will attempt to repair the application without removing its normal app data.

If repair does not solve the issue, you may also see a Reset option.

Be careful with reset operations because they can remove application-specific data or settings.

Restart the Photos App

Sometimes the problem is temporary.

Close Photos completely.

Then:

1. Wait a few seconds.
2. Open Photos again.
3. Browse to your collection.
4. Check the Favorites area.

A simple restart can resolve temporary application glitches.

How to Check Whether the Original Photo Still Exists

If a favorite appears to be missing, search for the original image.

Open File Explorer and check:

• Pictures
• Desktop
• Downloads
• OneDrive
• External drives
• Custom photo folders

If you recently moved the picture, Photos may need to update its library.

What Happens If You Move a Favorite Photo?

Moving a photo to another folder can affect how the Photos app finds it.

For example, imagine you originally stored a picture in:

Pictures → Vacation

You mark it as a favorite.

Later, you move the picture to:

Pictures → Old Photos → Vacation

Depending on the Photos app and its indexing behavior, the picture may temporarily disappear from the expected collection.

If this happens, make sure the new folder is included as a photo source.

What Happens If You Rename a Favorite Photo?

Renaming a photo does not necessarily mean you have deleted it.

However, photo-management applications may need time to update their index.

If a favorite seems missing after renaming:

1. Check that the file still exists.
2. Confirm the folder is being monitored.
3. Restart Photos.
4. Allow Windows time to update its indexing.

Can You Create a Favorites Folder Manually?

Yes, you can create your own folder named something like:

Favorite Photos

For example:

Pictures → Favorite Photos

You can then copy or move selected pictures into it.

However, this is different from the Photos app’s Favorites functionality.

App Favorites

• Original file remains in its location.
• The app identifies it as a favorite.
• You can manage the collection from Photos.

Manual Favorites Folder

• You physically copy or move files.
• The folder appears in File Explorer.
• You manage the files yourself.

Both approaches can be useful depending on your workflow.

Should You Use a Separate Favorites Folder?

It depends on how you manage photos.

A separate folder can be useful if you want a physical collection that works across multiple programs.

For example, you might create:

Pictures → Favorites

and copy your most important images there.

The advantage is that File Explorer and other applications can access the folder directly.

The disadvantage is that copying photos creates duplicates and can consume additional storage.

How to Organize Favorite Photos Better

If your photo library is large, Favorites alone may not be enough.

Consider organizing pictures into categories such as:

• Family
• Travel
• Work
• School
• Screenshots
• Projects
• Events

You can then use Favorites as a shortlist of particularly important images.

Think of folders as your filing cabinet and Favorites as sticky notes pointing to the files you want to find quickly.

How to Back Up Your Favorite Photos

Favorite status is not a replacement for backup.

If a picture is important, make sure the actual image is backed up.

Possible backup destinations include:

• External hard drive
• External SSD
• Cloud storage
• Another computer
• Network storage

A backup protects the actual photo, while Favorites mainly help with organization.

What If Your Favorite Photos Are on an External Drive?

If your pictures are stored on an external drive, connect it to the computer first.

Then:

1. Open Photos.
2. Confirm the drive is accessible.
3. Check whether the folder is included in your Photos sources.
4. Browse your images.
5. Use the available Favorites functionality.

If you disconnect the drive, the Photos app may not be able to access those original files.

How to Find Favorite Photos After Reinstalling Windows 11

This situation can be confusing.

If you reinstall Windows 11, your local Photos app configuration may not be identical to your previous installation.

Your original photos may still exist in a backup or another storage location, but the Favorites organization may not necessarily transfer in the same way.

After reinstalling Windows:

1. Restore your photo folders.
2. Install or update Microsoft Photos.
3. Add your photo locations.
4. Allow the library to update.
5. Recreate Favorites if necessary.

This is another reason not to treat Favorites as your only method of organizing important images.

Troubleshooting Checklist

If you cannot find your favorite photos, try these solutions in order:

Solution 1: Restart Photos

Close and reopen the app.

Solution 2: Check Your Photo Sources

Make sure the folder containing your images is included.

Solution 3: Search File Explorer

Look for the original image.

Solution 4: Check OneDrive

If your pictures were synchronized, confirm that OneDrive is signed in and syncing correctly.

Solution 5: Update Photos

Check Microsoft Store for updates.

Solution 6: Repair Photos

Use Windows’ installed-app repair options.

Solution 7: Check Your Backup

If the original image is missing, look in your backup locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I view favorite photos on Windows 11?

Open the Microsoft Photos app and look for the Favorites section or favorite-related option in the navigation area. The exact interface depends on your Photos app version.

2. Where are favorite photos stored in Windows 11?

Favorites are not necessarily stored in a separate physical folder. The original photos generally remain in their existing locations, while the Photos app manages their favorite status.

3. How do I add a photo to Favorites in Windows 11?

Open the image in the Photos app and select the available heart or Favorites control. The exact button can vary between Photos versions.

4. Does removing a photo from Favorites delete it?

Normally, no. Removing the favorite status is different from deleting the original photo.

5. Why can’t I see my Favorites in the Photos app?

The Photos app interface varies between versions. The photo source may also be missing, the original image may have moved, or the app may need an update or repair.

6. Can I create my own Favorites folder?

Yes. You can create a folder such as Pictures → Favorite Photos and copy selected images into it. This is separate from the Photos app’s built-in Favorites functionality.

Final Checklist

Before finishing, check these points:

• Open Microsoft Photos

• Look for the Favorites section

• Confirm your photo folders are included

• Open a favorite image

• Learn how to add and remove favorites

• Check File Explorer if an image is missing

• Check OneDrive if applicable

• Update Microsoft Photos

• Repair the Photos app if necessary

• Back up important photos

• Consider creating organized photo folders

Key Takeaways

The most important things to remember are:

• Microsoft Photos can help you organize favorite images.
• Favorite photos do not necessarily move into a physical Favorites folder.
• The original image generally remains in its original storage location.
• The Photos app interface can vary between Windows 11 versions.
• You can use File Explorer to locate the original image.
• OneDrive can be another important source for photos.
• Removing a favorite is different from deleting a photo.
• App updates and repairs can help resolve missing-photo problems.
• Important pictures should always be backed up separately.

Conclusion

Learning how to view favorites photos on Windows 11 can save you from scrolling through an enormous photo collection every time you want to find an important image. The Microsoft Photos app provides a convenient way to mark selected pictures as favorites and access them more easily.

If you cannot find the Favorites section, don’t assume that your pictures are gone. Windows 11 has seen changes to the Photos app over time, so the available menus and organization features may look different depending on your installed version. Check your photo sources, search for the original files in File Explorer, and make sure the Photos app is updated.

For the best long-term organization, combine Favorites with well-structured folders and regular backups. Favorites help you find important photos quickly, while folders and backups give you greater control over where your actual image files are stored.

Once your photo library is organized, finding that one special picture becomes much less like searching through a haystack—and much more like opening a neatly labeled photo album.