Microsoft is making big changes to its cloud storage platform — OneDrive is getting a new Windows app and an AI photo agent designed to make managing your pictures smarter and more seamless. The new update brings a gallery view, people tagging, and AI-powered slideshows to help users rediscover their memories in new ways.

A Major Redesign For OneDrive On Windows

The new OneDrive app for Windows is a complete redesign compared to the current desktop version. Instead of the small taskbar flyout, the updated app will be a full-featured experience that looks and feels a lot like the mobile version of OneDrive.

Users can now browse photos in a clean gallery view, view collections by people, and use the AI photo agent to automatically organize and tag photos. The agent detects faces, lets you name people, and helps you find images faster — whether they’re stored locally or in the cloud.

Smarter Photo Management With AI

With OneDrive’s AI photo agent, Microsoft is bringing a new level of intelligence to photo management. The agent can create AI-powered slideshows, suggest edits, and help users organize images automatically. It’s part of Microsoft’s broader effort to enhance productivity and creativity across Windows using AI.

The feature will also make it easier to work with both cloud and local photos, giving users flexibility to edit images and store them wherever they prefer.

Local Editing Meets Cloud Storage

OneDrive’s new app won’t just focus on the cloud. Microsoft says it will soon let users edit photos directly on their PCs, then either save them locally or sync them to their OneDrive account. This seamless link between local storage and the cloud gives Windows users a smoother, more integrated photo experience.

Rolling Out Next Year

Microsoft plans to release the new OneDrive Windows app and AI photo agent in 2026, following internal testing and gradual rollout phases. It’s another step in Microsoft’s vision to unify AI tools across its ecosystem — from Windows Photos to Microsoft Designer and Copilot.

With this update, OneDrive is evolving from just a file storage tool into a smarter photo hub that understands your images and helps you enjoy them in new, intuitive ways.