Microsoft Office Picture Manager

Microsoft Office Picture Manager is a streamlined photo management utility created by Microsoft, developers behind the Windows operating system and the incredibly popular suite of productivity apps Office.



If you are looking for alternatives, we recommend you to download Photoshop or Luminar Neo.

Originally built as part of the Office 2003, Microsoft Office Picture Manager provided various tools and services for organizing lists of photos, editing them individually or in batches, and with all necessary tools for streamlined and fast viewing of pictures.

After years on the market, this application eventually become superseded by the Windows Live Photo Gallery app during the arrival of the Live Essentials Office suite.

Note: This product is not developed anymore. Upgrade to Microsoft 365 to work anywhere from any device and continue to receive support.

The core task of the Picture Manager is to allow easy discovery, browsing, and viewing of photos, enabling users to quickly locate and incorporate pictures in their other Office projects. Because of that, the app does not have a large focus on editing tools. At its core, it is a streamlined photo viewer that leaves editing tools to other apps. Its photo editing tools are kept to the basic filters such as noise reduction, sharpening, contrasting, red-eye removal, and batch tools for fast renaming, saving, conversion, and resizing of image libraries - all the tools that are needed for daily use by not demanding home or office users.

While Microsoft Office Picture Manager can handle a large variety of image formats (BMP, JPG, PNG, PDF, TIFF, and many others), it has a clear limit when handling animated formats. It can load GIF images, but it will only showcase its first non-animated frame.

Install Picture Manager

• Download SharePoint Designer 2010 from Download Button.
• In the ensuing message (at the bottom of your screen) that asks if you want to Run or Save the .exe file, click Run.
• Accept the license terms and click Continue.
• On the Choose the installation you want page, click Customize.
• Expand Office Tools and select MS Office Picture Manager.
• Click the drop-down arrow next to MS Office Picture Manager and click Run from my computer.
• Click Install Now.

One of the highlights of this application is its compatibility with other parts of the Office suite. Photos and images managed by this app can be easily shared through a SharePoint image library and easily accessed via other Office apps such as Word or PowerPoint. Large businesses and organizations can even use the Picture Manager to create centralized image libraries, whose content can be accessible via HTTP/FTP protocols, hyperlinks, and other sharing or linking techniques.

The program is 100% FREE and is optimized for use on Windows 2003, XP, 2000. It can run on any PC that meets the system requirement for the Office 2003 suite.

Features

Image Management: It enables you to browse and organize your photo collection with ease. It supports various file formats, including JPEG, PNG, BMP, and TIFF. You can create folders, rename files, and sort images by date, size, or other metadata.

Basic Editing Tools: This software offers a range of basic editing functions such as cropping, resizing, rotating, and flipping images. You can also adjust brightness, contrast, and color levels to enhance the overall appearance.

Auto Correct and Auto Contrast: It includes automatic correction tools that can quickly improve the quality of your photos. With just a single click, you can instantly enhance the brightness, contrast, and sharpness of an image.

Red-Eye Removal: Eliminate the dreaded red-eye effect that often occurs in flash photography. It provides a simple tool to detect and remove red-eye, ensuring your portraits look natural.

Batch Processing: Save time by applying edits to multiple images simultaneously. The app allows you to select a group of pictures and apply the same edits or corrections to all of them at once.

How to Use

• Launch this desktop application.
• Import your images by selecting the "File" menu and choosing the "Add Picture Shortcut" option or by using the drag-and-drop feature.
• Organize your photos into folders and albums for easy navigation.
• Utilize the editing tools to enhance your images, adjusting parameters like brightness, contrast, and cropping as needed.
• Apply automatic corrections, such as auto contrast and red-eye removal, to improve the overall quality of your pictures.
• Save your edited images, export them to different file formats, or share them directly from within the software.

FAQ

Is Microsoft Office Picture Manager still available?
While Picture Manager has been discontinued by Microsoft, it is still accessible if you have a version of Microsoft Office prior to 2010 installed.

Can I use Picture Manager on a Mac?
The app is only available for Windows. Mac users can explore alternative image management and editing software, such as Adobe Lightroom or Apple Photos.

Does Picture Manager support RAW image formats?
No, it does not natively support RAW files. However, you can convert RAW files to JPEG or another compatible format before importing them into the software.

Can I undo or revert my edits in Picture Manager?
Yes, it provides an undo function that allows you to revert changes made to an image. You can step back through your editing history to restore the original version.

Can I share images directly from Picture Manager to social media platforms?
It does not offer direct integration with social media platforms. However, you can save your edited images and manually upload them to your preferred social media platforms.

Alternatives

Adobe Photoshop: A comprehensive image editing software with advanced features and extensive editing capabilities.

Adobe Lightroom: Primarily focused on photo organization and editing, Lightroom offers powerful tools for managing large image libraries.

GIMP: A free and open-source image editing software that provides a wide range of editing options and supports various platforms.

ACDSee Photo Studio Home: A versatile image management and editing software with a range of advanced features, including non-destructive editing and batch processing.

Pricing

The app is no longer available for purchase directly from Microsoft. However, you may find second-hand licenses or opt for a subscription-based model, such as Microsoft 365, which provides access to the latest versions of Office applications.

PROS

• User-Friendly Interface: It offers a straightforward and intuitive interface, making it accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise.
• Basic Editing Features: The software provides essential editing tools to enhance your images without overwhelming users with a complex array of options.
• Batch Processing: The ability to apply edits to multiple images simultaneously saves time and effort when working with large collections.
• Auto Correction: The automatic correction features enable quick and easy enhancements to image quality.
• Bundled with Microsoft Office: It comes bundled with Microsoft Office suites, making it a convenient and cost-effective choice for Office users.

CONS

• Discontinued by Microsoft: As MS Picture Manager is no longer actively developed or updated, it may lack some of the advanced features found in modern image editing software.
• Limited Format Support: The software does not support RAW file formats, limiting its usability for professional photographers or users working with RAW images extensively.
• Windows Exclusive: The app is only available for Windows operating systems, which may be a drawback for Mac or Linux users.
• Lack of Social Media Integration: Unlike some modern alternatives, it does not offer direct integration with popular social media platforms for easy sharing.
• Basic Editing Tools: While suitable for basic edits, it may not provide the depth of advanced editing features that professional photographers or graphic designers require.

Conclusion

Microsoft Office Picture Manager, despite being discontinued, remains a practical choice for users seeking a lightweight and user-friendly image management and editing tool. Its simplicity and ease of use make it accessible to beginners, while the inclusion of essential editing features enables basic enhancements to digital images.

However, professional users or those with more advanced editing needs may find its limitations in format support and lack of advanced features restrictive.

Considering the availability of alternative software with more robust capabilities, users seeking extensive editing functionality may explore other options. Nonetheless, MS Picture Manager's bundling with previous versions of Microsoft Office makes it a cost-effective solution for Office users who require basic image management and editing capabilities.