Open the Photos app and go to the folder with your pictures. Open the first picture, then select Slideshow (the play button) at the top of the window. Photos goes full screen and moves through the folder. Press Esc to stop.
Applies to: Windows 11. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 29, 2026.
Open the pictures in Photos
- Select Start, type photos and select the Photos app.
- Under Folders on the left, select the folder, such as Pictures. If your folder isn’t there, select Gallery > Add folder and choose it.
- Double-click the picture you want to start with.
You can also double-click a picture in File Explorer. It opens in Photos with the rest of the folder ready to browse.
Start the slideshow
- With the picture open, select Slideshow (the play button) on the toolbar at the top. If you don’t see it, make the window wider or select See more (the three dots) and look for it there.
- Photos shows each picture full screen, one after another.
- Press Esc to end the slideshow.
To go through pictures at your own pace instead, use the arrows at the sides of the picture or the Left and Right arrow keys.
Tips
- Put the pictures you want in one folder first. The slideshow follows the folder.
- Rename files with numbers, such as 01 Beach and 02 Dinner, to control the order.
- Plug in a second screen or TV and set it to Duplicate or show Photos there for a bigger view.
Use your pictures as a desktop slideshow
Windows can also rotate pictures as your desktop background. Select Start > Settings > Personalization > Background, set Personalize your background to Slideshow, select Browse to choose the folder, and pick how often the picture changes. See how to change wallpaper in Windows 11.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add music to the slideshow?
Not in the Photos viewer. To make a video slideshow with music, Microsoft points to the Clipchamp video editor, which you can open from Photos under Settings > Open Clipchamp.
Where did the old slideshow creator go?
It’s in Photos Legacy, the older version of the app, which Microsoft still offers alongside the new one.
Is this different on Windows 10?
A little. See how to view photos in a slideshow on Windows 10.
Photos still on your iPhone? Here’s how to transfer photos from an iPhone to a Windows 11 PC.
Microsoft’s reference is Manage photos and videos with Microsoft Photos app. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Related: how to make a slideshow on Windows 10.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.