TOP 10 Best Photography Apps for Windows

Photo editing software for PC

DxO PhotoLab is an image editing software that was developed by DxO Labs for PC devices. This photography program offers great automatic lens and image correction options to make quick adjustments to your photos. It also features a clean and intuitive user interface that is easy to learn and use.

Similar to other programs like Lightroom, DxO PhotoLab has an extensive list of photo-editing tools at your disposal, including its class-leading noise reduction filtering feature. This multimedia tool is available as a one-time purchase license in either Essential or Elite options. There's a free trial being offered, as well.

Is DxO PhotoLab any good?

When you first launch DxO PhotoLab, you will be greeted with a clean user interface that features a dark theme. The program will have two modes that you can choose from: PhotoLibrary is where you can manage and organize all of your photos, and Customize is where you will be doing all your image editing and tuning requirements.

DxO PhotoLab is quite beginner-friendly with its automatic lens and image correction feature. If you shoot in RAW format and want more control and options, it also offers a variety of manual adjustment sliders to help you tweak images to your preferred style. One of its standout features is its noise reduction feature using its DeepPRIME algorithm.

DxO PhotoLab fares well against Adobe Lightroom. Its denoise engine is in a class of its own, and its automatic image adjustment feature will appeal to more users. There are a few shortcomings, though, such as no multi-image editing support. It also tends to adapt and provide support for new cameras noticeably slower than Lightroom.

An impressive image-editing software

All in all, DxO PhotoLab is a solid option and offers an impressive set of features. Its DeepPRIME engine is second to none, its refined UI and automatic image adjustment feature will appeal to a lot of people, and there are no subscription plans to deal with. It is highly recommended and worth checking out. Moreover, it is also Windows 11 compatible.

Maximize the use of Canon cameras

Canon U.S.A. Inc. offers free software called EOS Utility that usually comes along with their purchased Canon camera. This photography tool enables you to maximize the full functionality and capability of your camera. It also provides extensive functions such as downloading and displaying images, remote shooting, and camera control for each setting.

How do I install the Canon EOS utility?

The installation of this handy program could be summarized into few simple steps. First, you will need to go to the developer page of EOS Utility to select the model of the camera you are using. You will then be prompted to its Product Support Page, and from there, you need to click the 'Drivers & Downloads' tab. Afterward, you must make sure that the 'Software' tab is selected. You will have to scroll down and look for the 'EOS Utility' software offered for Windows.

Once found, you should press the 'SELECT' button placed across it. A 'DOWNLOAD' button will then appear and the downloading process will immediately begin right after you press it. Keep in mind that the downloaded file will be saved to the file browser location. Before you could utilize the camera utility software, you must connect your camera to your computer device either via WiFi or USB Cable.

It is recommended for you to connect through a USB cable as it is much faster in processing tasks, specifically data transfers. If you're done connecting, you can proceed to launch the app. You will be greeted by a simple and neat user interface that displays the core functionalities it can provide to you. You will easily get the hang of it, especially with the guidance from the supporting tutorial documents provided.

For Canon camera users

EOS Utility is a photography tool that is dedicated to be used for Canon cameras. If you own one, this is an essential program for you as it can help maximize your camera's functionalities. It is packed with valuable solutions that could greatly be useful whenever you are downloading and remote shooting. All of the things it offers are available to be experienced free-of-charge. Another reason for you to not ignore this utility.

A free versatile image viewer app

CPix is a free image viewer program that enables you to easily check out image files in different formats. Developed by FileFriend, this handy multimedia tool is compact and fast, supporting a variety of image formats, format conversion, and even encryption. It also offers other basic features commonly found in photography-editing software. This is a great choice if you find that your usual app is slow in loading your pictures.

Full of functionality

CPix works just like any image viewer application but it has a surprising amount of functionality when it comes to formatting. For one, it can convert your images and even do so with batch processing. It can also resize pictures and do batch resizing, allowing you to choose your custom widths and heights. This program generally supports most of the popular formats, such as JPEG, GIF, PNG, APNG, TIFF, BMP, to name a few.

It also supports special formats like MPO (Multi-Picture Object), EMPO (Encrypted MPO), EJPG (Encrypted JPEG), PL (Photo List), and EPL (Encrypted PL). There’s a DualPhoto format exclusively for this program as well. This format contains two JPEG images in a single file—the second image already encrypted. Additionally, you can play animations using this tool. You can go to the settings to configure its play speed and enable or disable auto-play.

There are other customization options in the settings, too. For one, you can choose the photo orientation for image-loading and format conversion. You can select a background color, effects like brightness and tone, and the image order that the files will be displayed in. This software even lets you do frame-by-frame viewing. However, the biggest downside here is that some features don’t allow certain formats when you use them—for example, resizing is only for JPEG, BMP, and PNG.

A great option

All in all, CPix is a highly versatile multimedia program with a user-friendly interface—especially when compared against most default photo viewers. While not all of its features can accommodate all of the formats that it can view, these are still useful tools to have. This application is greatly recommended to anyone looking for more functionality in their image viewer apps. Best of all is that it’s completely free to use.

A tool for scanning via Canon devices

Canon IJ Scan Utility is a free photography program that enables you to quickly scan photos and documents. Developed by Canon Inc., this multimedia tool is a scanner software designed to work with Canon printers and scanners. It’s one of the official software for image management that you’ll need to use if you’re working with this brand. However, the device models supported by this are limited; some of them require the Lite version instead.

How do I get my Canon IJ Scan Utility?

Canon Inc. is a Japanese multinational corporation that specializes in manufacturing optical, imaging, and industrial products such as lenses, cameras, medical equipment, scanners, printers, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Since it deals with sensitive devices that require PC programs to run them at times, the brand also offers official utility software to its users—available to download for free. Canon IJ Scan Utility is just one of the many you can get from Canon’s home website.

This tool’s core function is to connect with your Canon printer or scanner and scan images and documents with just one click. It’s designed to be easy to use—allowing you to customize the output settings and even stitch files together. This needs the correct scanner driver installed to work properly, though. Plus, not all Canon products work with this. Canon IJ Scan Utility Lite is the required version for some models.

To download and install, you first have to find your printer or scanner model on Canon’s official website. Take note that model names will sometimes differ by country. Under “Drivers & Downloads,” ensure that your operating system is selected on the drop-down menu. Then, under the Drivers tab, select the MP driver for your device and download it. The file contains the scanner program so simply run it to start the installation. 

This program supports Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, and 7 platforms,

Not the only one

All in all, Canon IJ Scan Utility is one of the programs you’ll definitely have to get if you’re using a certain Canon printer or scanner model. It’s highly user-friendly and usually already comes with your device’s driver download. However, it’s not the only scanner tool that you can get as the Lite version supports other models. Plus, you need to make sure that you have its correct driver installed. 

Magnify any part of your screen

Developed by Blacksun Software, Magnifixer is a free utility tool that provides you an advanced screen magnifier, just hover your mouse cursor in any part of your screen and it will immediately zoom in to that area. Users who have sight problems will especially enjoy this program. This software allows you to magnify your screen at any size you prefer and you can even select up to 40x magnification zoom level factor.

Use under any circumstances

Whether you are having difficulty reading small text, need a detailed view for your graphics, or more accuracy in your work, this will definitely be of help. You can force the app to utilize cursor tracking and follow your mouse or have a fixed location view to magnify. Apart from the 40x zooming capability, it can also set up the update frequency from once to 30 times per second. 

It supports a dual monitor and can serve a simple and intuitive interface even for non-tech-savvy users. This tool launches in your system tray and it can be accessed by right-clicking the small icon only if you need to. Once you open the context menu, you will be presented with a list of choices such as enable the stay-on-top window, show or hide your cursor, smoothen your display screen and invert image colors.

On top of that, Magnifixer provides an extensive ‘Help’ feature. Tips are immediately provided at startup with offline files also available for beginner users. For more instant access, this tool allows the use of keyboard shortcuts. To mention a few, “Ctrl+G” will show or hide the program and “Ctrl+F” to fix a certain location. However, these shortcuts cannot be customized. From RGB values to HTML code, you can also switch its color display mode, as well.

Great for visually impaired users

Magnifixer is an essential utility program that will greatly aid users especially those who are visually impaired. It provides a powerful magnification tool that can be adjusted up to 40x. It provides an intuitive and straightforward user interface with an extensive ‘Help’ desk feature which makes it easier for a beginner or a non-tech savvy user to learn how to use it. There is a number of options available for you to customize as much as you want. 

The Intuitive Professional Photography Package

ACDSee Photo Studio Professional is a photo workflow and editing suite that sits between the Ultimate and Standard versions of the program. It is aimed at both professional and semi-professional image makers who want to work in a creative virtual studio, but also in a productive manner with tools that operate intuitively.

Digital Editing and Image Manipulation

Although you don't get all of the system functions that you do with the Ultimate version by ACD Systems International Inc. Software, the Professional version still offers a lot of functions for the price of the suite. Part of a wider range of image editing and rationalization software systems, ACDSee Photo Studio Professional is designed to streamline editing and organisational processes. In addition, users tend to opt for it so that their image development is given a competitive, professional edge that just makes photos look more appealing at first glance. This can be achieved, for example, by using the RAW editor. No less than 500 separate camera models are compatible with the package, so it is highly likely that your preferred digital image device is going to be supported. There is a handy Smart Erase function that allows you to remove unwanted objects, people, or even shadows from an otherwise perfect picture. If you want to give your snaps a professional but old-fashioned feel, then you can opt for the Grain tool, which makes it look as though you have shot your image on an old stock of film. Pixel editing is allowed for, as well. You can use the multimedia package to select and mask any blemishes you notice by targeting specific brightness ranges and colors. Crucially, this can be done with skin tones, something that is very handy for portrait photographers. The Polygon Selection tool helps you to target any areas of a picture you are working on without applying your changes to the rest of the image where it is not needed.

How Productive is It?

Thanks to the Import tool, ACDSee Photo Studio Professional is able to stop you from accidentally importing the same images time and again. Your device will only give you what is new, thereby helping users to focus their efforts on what needs to be done. This is great for professionals who take lots of images. Categories and Keyword panes are included, which will help you to find the right image to edit even if it is months since you took it. Furthermore, the entire program has been built with a large number of keyboard shortcuts. This means that you get faster at operating the digital editing package the more you use it. Every stage of any workflow has a keyboard shortcut assigned to it, so you are not constantly needing to click with your mouse on sub-menus. Experimentation is the key to many an improved image. Thankfully, your photography can be pinched, bulged out, or shifted within moments, and then restored to the original if you don't like the results. You can even download the mobile app and access your images from a smartphone whilst you are out and about.

A Truly Professional Package?

The professional version of ACDSee's Photo Studio is free to trial so you can make your own mind up whether it is for you without cost. Most semi-professional and serious amateur image makers will find there is more than enough for their photography to be vastly improved.

Get the Image with ACDSee Photo Studio

ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate is a digital photographic workflow suite that allows complete control of image creation, layered editing, and a tranche of further options.

A Digital Photography Studio

Without any need for chemicals or a dark room, ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate provides image makers with just about every technique analogue photographers have used for years, plus a few more that are entirely built around the digital age. The makers, ACD Systems International Inc. Software, already offer a complete package of photography software, from their Photo Editor to their Video Converter and Video Studio software. As such, Ultimate is very much part of a wider family of programs, each focused on a specific area of image creation. In this package, users get a great deal of control. For example, there are extensive tools for finding, sorting, and organizing images. Once everything is put in its place, then it becomes child's play to share it. For instance, you might want to organize sample images to share with clients, or to provide wedding images for a portfolio of your work. Essentially, everything you need for complete control of your photography workflow is included. In addition, the package allows you to pair individual layers from differing snaps to create a new one, like a video dissolve. RAW formats from all of the world's leading digital camera manufacturers are supported too, such as Olympus, Panasonic, and Canon, to name but three. Non-destructive editing is provided so you can experiment safe in the knowledge that you are not messing up anything that you'd like to later go back on.

Using a Virtual Studio

Thanks to its GPU-accelerated adjustment layers, ease of use with RAW editing, and an array of digital asset management tools, ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate constitutes a fully professional package. The makers have put an emphasis on providing tools for a multimedia professional, who captures both stills and video, and who is likely to be using their images in an online environment. However, the software is just as useful for traditional portrait and wedding photographers as it is for the Instagram generation. What makes the program stand out from competitor products is the number of methods there are to take control of your photo manipulation. There isn't one right way of doing things. Experimenting with its flexibility means being able to be truly creative. Having said that, many of the suite's tools facilitate greater productivity, so it is just as much about speeding things up as it is experimentation and play. Modules such as 'Develop' are way ahead of some other products on the market, which are supposedly specialists in what they do. If that were not enough, with the ACDSee Mobile Sync addition, you can access your virtual studio from any handheld device that has downloaded the app. This is great for field photographers who need to get their images to photo editors fast!

Worth Snapping Up?

More than a simple retouching editing suite, this package is for professionals who make eye-catching images that will stand out from the rest. It is able to be bought for a lifetime usage fee, but the package comes with a handy 30-day trial free of charge, so there's nothing to stop you trying it out.

Free slideshow and photo to video maker

Free slideshow and photo to video maker for creating photo slideshows. Add video clips, music and more.

Creating a slideshow is probably one of the best ways to show off and share your pictures. Plus, with PhotoStage they're really easy and fun to create.

The program's interface looks simple, but it's a bit confusing to use. For example, if you want to insert a title slide, you have to first insert a blank slide, then click on the "More" button beside the "Caption" field and then insert your title. The same happens with the basic graphic edition included in the program: they're not as intuitive as expected.

On the upside, PhotoStage is very easy to use. I like the fact that you can add both photos and videos, and above all, the wide range of formats in which you can save your slide show, including mobile devices such as a phone or an iPod and ISO image files.

PhotoStage is a basic tool with which to create quick photo and video slideshows and take them with you anywhere.

Freely create video slideshows

IceCream Apps, a developer known to provide various desktop utility tools, created Icecream Slideshow Maker, a platform wherein you can produce professional-looking video slideshows. Tech-savvy or not,  you will be able to make a slideshow project out of your photos within a few clicks. Add fancy transition effects, background music, or text to make your presentation look even better. After creation, you can opt to burn it to DVD/CD or upload it to YouTube, Dropbox, Google Drive to share.

How do you use an Icecream Slideshow Maker?

Once you've installed the file, you must launch it to start creating from scratch. Your photos or folders can be imported into the media library. To do it, simply click on the ‘Add photo’ or ‘Add files to start your photostory’ buttons. You can pick a single file or press and hold the CTRL key to select multiple items. Alternatively, to upload a folder with images, you should click on the ‘Add folder’ button. 

The main window of the program is split into two sections—Queue on the left side while the Preview window and Settings on the right side—once your files are added. This window allows you to customize slideshow settings. In the queue, you can configure time and transition characteristics for each file. There will be some additional settings available under the preview window as well. For instance, you can choose your desired resolution for your project.

To put audio in your project, just hit the ‘Add audio’ button, select an audio file, and use it as a background sound for your slideshow. You can tweak ‘Offset’ and ‘Fade’ settings if you want to configure the track according to your preferences. In the Preview section, you can make sure that everything looks in place. If it came out exactly as you want, press the ‘Create’ button to start the production process.

Up to snuff

For a free-of-charge slideshow maker program, Icecream Slideshow Maker is exceptionally proficient, exceeding everyone's expectations. This lightweight program can produce highly professional slideshow videos that are satisfying to present in front of other people. Its user-friendly interface saves you from using slideshow maker programs that are complex to use. Here, everything is simplified.   

Standardize your digital photo library

ACDSee Photo Studio Home is designed for amateur photographers who want to organize their images in a meaningful way so they can be found, shared and edited with the minimum of fuss. It also makes all sort of intelligent adjustments to images possible without long-winded processes.

Get organized and get improved images

Organizing your images so that you can find what you need just when you want it is something all image makers struggle with, especially if they don't have the right digital tools to help them. Helpfully, ACDSee Photo Studio Home provides what the designers call a digital asset management module which makes finding, sorting and sharing images a breeze. What's more, you can connect to your library via a handheld device using a mobile app, great for when you want to show particular images off in a social way. The makers, ACD Systems International Inc. Software, already offer a complete package of photography software, from their Photo Editor to their Video Converter and Video Studio software. As such, the Standard edition of ACDSee Photo Studio Home is very much part of a wider family of programs each focused on a specific area of image creation. The Ultimate and Professional versions of ACDSee Photo Studio allow for a lot more functionality on the image manipulation front. For example, you don't get RAW editing with the standard edition. Nevertheless, there are some handy tools to try out, such as the noise reduction module and the ability to control white and color balances as well as helpful tint and saturation functions.

Using the standard edition

For users who want some level of image editing and a powerful organizational tool, the standard edition of the package is likely to be enough. Moreover, the functions users have access to, such as a number of useful keyboard shortcuts, are the same with the higher editions. So, if you upgrade down the line, there is nothing new to learn in terms of operation, helping you to remain productive. You just get more and more functions. The standard edition will connect and upload to social media sites while you continue operating on your workflow which is another great time-saving measure. Furthermore, the package allows users to gain access to over 100 pre-loaded borders and textures. The multimedia package is available with a thirty-day free trial but thereafter, users need to pay for a lifetime license. Amateurs who are new to digital editing and image management tools will find everything they need to learn about digital photography from ACDSee's handy array of video tutorials. Here, you can learn about anything from using the intelligent import tool to adding keyword panes to pictures that will help you to find what you are looking for at a later date.

The complete tool?

Although it has limited functionality, ACDSee's Standard edition of its 2018 Photo Studio allows users to edit in JPEG format and to manipulate their images in a variety of ways. However, serious photographers will always want to alter their pictures in their RAW format, so a higher level of the programme will be needed if this applies to you. On the other hand, the organizational side of the package is top-notch and if that's all you want, then the Standard edition will be enough.