Microsoft “Photos & Videos” is back to being “Photos” once more

Microsoft has reverted the Photos & Videos rename of the Microsoft Photos app in Windows 10 Insider builds, now the app is known Microsoft Photos once more.

The firm, while currently expanding the remit of the Photos app to incorporate some features from Windows Movie maker is now testing different names for the service. Initially, the Photos app was renamed to Story Remix, highlighting a feature of the app in a way that ensured no one would ever open said app deliberately, then to the dull Photos & Videos, which is a confusing name. Microsoft has a Movies and TV app which already handles video, and Photos & Videos just seems like a clunky name in general.

Personally, I think Microsoft “Photos” is the best app name for this service, as it follows the naming of [Brand name] [service name] that consumers have come to expect from software makers. If Microsoft intends to stress the multimedia functionality of “Photos”, then Microsoft “Gallery” might be a workable name without sounding as forced as Photos & Videos or as opaque as Story Remix. Microsoft is also planning to bring “Story Remix” to iOS and Android, where a clearer named app would help them stand out.

Any ideas for what Microsoft should name their photos app? Let us know in the Idea below.