Microsoft has released a discreet update for Copilot+ PCs that refines the AI engine powering object removal and background generation in Windows 11’s Photos and Paint apps. Dubbed KB5079253, the component patch pushes Image Transform AI to version 1.2602.1451.0 and installs automatically for devices running Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 that already have the latest cumulative update.
It’s a small, targeted improvement with no flashy changelog—but for anyone who regularly uses the built-in generative erase tools, the results could be noticeably cleaner.
A new number in your update history
If you check Settings > Windows Update > Update history on a qualifying Copilot+ PC, you may now see “Image Transform version 1.2602.1451.0 (KB5079253).” This component update replaces the earlier KB5077533 release and is delivered automatically through Windows Update, as confirmed in Microsoft’s support article. There’s no manual download required, and you won’t find it in the Microsoft Update Catalog as a standalone package.
The KB article itself is sparse—it states that the update “can be used to erase a foreground and object and fill in the space with a generated background.” No detailed release notes, no benchmark comparisons. But the presence of a new version number signals that Microsoft has tweaked the underlying model or runtime.
Prerequisites are straightforward: your device must be a Copilot+ PC (equipped with a neural processing unit), running Windows 11 version 24H2 or 25H2 with the latest cumulative update installed. The update will not appear on standard PCs or older Windows builds, even if those machines run the Photos or Paint apps.
What the update actually does for your photo edits
Image Transform AI is the invisible hand behind two high-profile creative features: the “Erase Objects” tool in Photos, and the generative fill/erase capabilities in Paint (including Cocreator workflows). Whenever you select an unwanted person or object and let Windows fill the gap with a plausible background, this component does the heavy lifting.
With version 1.2602.1451.0, users can expect subtle but meaningful quality improvements:
- Better segmentation: The AI more accurately distinguishes foreground from background, reducing halos or jagged edges around erased regions.
- Fewer repeating artifacts: Earlier versions sometimes left telltale copied textures; the updated model should produce more natural, varied fills.
- Smoother performance: Optimizations may cut latency on devices with properly tuned NPU drivers, making the erase step feel snappier.
These gains are incremental, not revolutionary. An everyday user editing a vacation snapshot might notice that the erased photobomber leaves behind a more convincing patch of beach or grass. A content creator doing quick touch-ups in Paint will spend less time manually fixing AI mistakes. For the vast majority of Copilot+ owners, the update will simply make a familiar tool feel a bit more polished.
There is a small caveat: because the component is tightly coupled to on-device processing, results can vary based on your specific hardware and driver stack. A Qualcomm-powered Surface Pro and an Intel-based Copilot+ laptop might show slightly different fill quality, even with the same version number. Microsoft designs these updates to work across silicon, but NPU and GPU driver maturity still plays a role.
The modular AI strategy behind the scenes
KB5079253 is not a one-off. It’s part of a deliberate shift in how Microsoft builds and services AI features on Windows 11. Since the launch of Copilot+ PCs in mid-2024, the company has shipped several AI-related components as separate, independently updatable packages—Image Processing, Image Transform, Phi Silica (for local language models), and various Execution Providers. This decouples AI model improvements from major OS releases, allowing Microsoft to iterate quickly without waiting for a full feature update.
Earlier component updates, such as KB5077533 (the predecessor to this one) and others targeting Image Processing, followed the same pattern: small, automatic patches that land outside the regular Patch Tuesday cadence. The version numbering scheme—1.2602.1451.0 in this case—is an internal Microsoft identifier, not something you’ll find explained publicly, but the steady increment suggests active development.
For Copilot+ owners, this modular approach means two things. First, generative AI features in Windows will get better over time, not just during big annual updates. Second, each update can be fine-tuned to specific hardware, taking advantage of NPU architectures from Qualcomm, Intel, and AMD. The package installs the right binaries for your device automatically—no user intervention needed.
Industry observers have noted that this mirrors how smartphone vendors update camera algorithms. Instead of waiting for a full OS upgrade, the underlying models improve quietly, often delivering a noticeable camera quality boost. Microsoft is applying the same playbook to Windows’ creative AI tools.
How to check, troubleshoot, and manage the update
For most people, the best course is to let the update happen. Windows will download and install it in the background. To verify it’s there:
- Open Settings > Windows Update > Update history.
- Look for “Image Transform version 1.2602.1451.0 (KB5079253).”
If you don’t see it after a few days, try these steps:
- Make absolutely sure you have a Copilot+ PC. Standard laptops and desktops, even those with powerful GPUs, are not eligible.
- Check that you’re on Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 (Settings > System > About).
- Install any pending cumulative updates via Windows Update.
- Restart and check again.
If the entry is missing but the prerequisite checks pass, the update may simply be in a staged rollout—not all devices get it simultaneously. Wait a few more days before troubleshooting further.
For IT administrators managing fleets of Copilot+ devices, the automatic delivery model warrants a bit of caution. While the update is low-risk, any AI model change can theoretically introduce regressions (new artifacts, unexpected slowdowns). Best practices:
- Pilot first: Deploy the latest cumulative update along with this component to a test ring of representative hardware.
- Validate workflows: Have users perform common erase/fill tasks in Photos and Paint and compare output quality to pre-update samples.
- Leverage Windows Update for Business: If needed, you can defer these component updates using quality update deferral policies, though note that Microsoft has not published separate deferral settings specifically for AI components.
- Check driver alignment: Ensure OEM GPU and NPU drivers are current. Outdated drivers are the most common cause of poor on-device AI performance.
- Monitor feedback: Keep an eye on the Feedback Hub and Microsoft’s AI components release page for any reported issues.
Should a serious problem arise, standard rollback options apply: if a cumulative update preceded the component installation, you could uninstall the CU. However, there is no one-click rollback for component updates alone. In managed environments, thorough pre-deployment testing is your best defense.
What to watch next
KB5079253 is likely one of several AI component updates we’ll see in the coming months. Microsoft’s periodic refresh cadence means Image Processing, Phi Silica, and related components could all receive similar stealth upgrades. Together, these small patches will continue to sharpen Windows’ on-device AI capabilities without fanfare.
For users, the most tangible sign of progress will be when generative erase and fill feel so natural that you forget you’re using an AI tool at all. For admins, the challenge is learning to treat these component releases as a normal part of the servicing rhythm—testing them alongside traditional cumulative updates and verifying them against your hardware matrix.
If you rely on Copilot+ AI features for work, consider bookmarking Microsoft’s official release information page for AI components. That page, combined with occasional OEM driver updates, will give you the clearest picture of how your device’s creative tools are evolving.
The bottom line: KB5079253 is a quiet but meaningful step forward for anyone who edits photos on a Copilot+ PC. It won’t make headlines, but it will make your next object removal look just a little bit smarter.