DxO PhotoLab 9: Five Underrated Features You Probably Missed

DxO PhotoLab 9 has been getting plenty of attention for its new AI Masking system and local DeepPRIME controls, but not every useful feature made the headlines. Some of the most practical improvements are tucked into the corners of the interface, quietly making the editing experience faster, cleaner, and a little more enjoyable.

If you’ve already installed the update but haven’t explored beyond the core editing tools, here are five lesser-known features in DxO PhotoLab 9 worth trying out.

1. Batch Renaming with Metadata or EXIF Tags

Renaming photos isn’t the most exciting part of editing, but it becomes essential when working with hundreds of files. DxO PhotoLab 9 introduces a batch renaming feature that lets you create filenames based on EXIF data, metadata, or custom templates. You can organize files by capture date, camera model, or even project-specific codes.

It’s not revolutionary, but it’s one of those small tools that saves time and helps keep large libraries manageable and better organized.

2. Relinking Moved Folders Without Breaking Projects

If you’ve ever opened a project and found missing files because you moved a folder or swapped a drive, this one’s for you. PhotoLab 9 makes it much easier to relink folders that have been moved or renamed, without requiring you to reimport or recreate anything. This is something I constantly encounter as I work with hundreds of photos daily, both at DIYP and with my concert photos. So, this is one of those small, but big features that could make our lives so much easier.

3. Custom Project Palettes in Customize Mode

The Customize Mode is where most of the image editing happens, and now it supports custom project palettes. That means you can tailor your workspace layout to specific types of shoots–portraits, landscapes, events–and load the tools you use most often for each.

4. Image Stacking for Version Comparison

The new image stacking option in PhotoLab 9 is perfect for anyone who likes to compare versions of the same photo. Whether you’re testing different presets or reviewing edits side-by-side, you can stack images together for a cleaner view. This is especially helpful when dealing with virtual copies or shots from a burst series that look similar but have subtle differences.

5. Favorites for Faster Navigation

DxO PhotoLab 9 introduces a Favorites system for folders and projects. If you work on recurring shoots or return to the same locations often, you can now pin them and avoid digging through folders every time.

The bottom line is that not every update has to be a headline feature to be useful. These smaller additions in DxO PhotoLab 9 might not be as flashy as AI masks or DeepPRIME XD3. Still, they have a real impact on everyday use. If you’ve updated the software but haven’t explored these yet, they’re worth a closer look.

DxO PhotoLab 9 Pricing and Availability

DxO PhotoLab 9 is available now for macOS and Windows. New users can get a license for $239.99 / €239.99 / £219.99. If you’re upgrading from v7 or v8, you’ll pay $119.99 / €119.99 / £109.99. And you don’t have to commit right now – there’s also a 30-day free trial available if you want to test it out first. Whichever option you choose, you’ll find it at DxO’s website. You can use discount code LabourDay20 for 20% off any software and DIY15 for 15% off any software!

Disclaimer: This post is part of a paid partnership with the featured brand. While sponsorship supports our work, all editorial content is independently written and reflects the voice and standards of DIYP. We only cover products we believe are relevant, trustworthy, and of interest to our readers.

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