How to Manage OneDrive Albums and Face Tags in Windows Photos
Question details
The user wants to organize OneDrive photos into albums, utilize face tags for people recognition, and sync this organization with the Windows Photos app.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive and Windows Photos
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Organizing and viewing cloud-stored photos using the native Windows Photos application.
- Observed behavior
- OneDrive folders do not automatically convert into albums, face tags are not natively supported or manageable, and the Windows Photos app displays content differently than the OneDrive web interface.
Ensure that you are signed into the Windows Photos app with the same Microsoft account used for your OneDrive, and verify that your OneDrive files are fully synced to your PC.
Manually Create Albums and Organize Photos with Tags
Since OneDrive folders do not automatically convert to albums and face recognition is limited, you must create albums manually and use standard file tags for organization.
The Windows Photos app and OneDrive Photos are connected but operate as separate organizational services. Folders built in OneDrive won't auto-generate into interactive albums in the Photos app.
Open OneDrive on the web, navigate to the Photos section on the left sidebar, and select 'Albums'. Click 'Create a new album' and manually select the photos you want to group together.
Open the Windows Photos app, navigate to Settings (the gear icon), and ensure your OneDrive account is connected. Toggle on the option to display your cloud photos so the newly created albums can sync.
Because OneDrive does not currently support automated or editable facial recognition, right-click your photo files, select 'Properties', and manually add descriptive tags (like a person's name) in the Details tab for easy searching.
Switch to WPS Office for Powerful Document Management
While WPS Office doesn't manage your photo albums, it is a fantastic, lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office for all your document, spreadsheet, and presentation needs. Enjoy seamless compatibility and a familiar interface without the heavy subscription fees.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for Windows.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the suite.
- 3. Import Your Photos: Launch WPS Writer or Presentation and easily insert your synced OneDrive photos to create stunning visual documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why aren't my OneDrive folders showing up as albums in Windows Photos?
OneDrive treats folders and albums as completely separate organizational features. You must manually create albums in the OneDrive web interface or app for them to be recognized and displayed as distinct albums.
Does OneDrive support automatic face recognition and tagging?
Currently, OneDrive does not provide general face or people recognition management that you can manually edit or train. It is recommended to use standard file tags or descriptive file names to organize photos by person.
Why do my photo memories open in a web browser instead of the Windows Photos app?
The Memories feature is primarily web-based for OneDrive. When you click on a memory notification, it often redirects you to the OneDrive web experience rather than keeping you in the local Windows Photos application.
