There are several alternatives to Microsoft's image compositor for we who use Macs:
https://formac.informer.com/microsoft-ice
And of course if you have Photoshop you can use the Automatic merge files option:
Create panoramic images with Photomerge
see: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/create-panoramic-images-photomerge.html
About Photomerge
The Photomerge™ command combines several photographs into one continuous image. For example, you can take five overlapping photographs of a city skyline, and then merge them into a panorama. The Photomerge command can assemble photos that are tiled horizontally as well as vertically.
Take pictures for Photomerge
Your source photographs play a large role in panoramic compositions. To avoid problems, follow these guidelines when taking pictures for use with Photomerge:
Overlap images sufficiently
Images should overlap by approximately 40%. If the overlap is less, Photomerge may not be able to automatically assemble the panorama. However, keep in mind that the images shouldn’t overlap too much. If images overlap by 70% or more, Photomerge may not be able to blend the images. Try to keep the individual photos at least somewhat distinct from each other.
Use one focal length
If you use a zoom lens, don’t change the focal length (zoom in or out) while taking your pictures.
Keep the camera level
Although Photomerge can process slight rotations between pictures, a tilt of more than a few degrees can result in errors when the panorama is assembled. Using a tripod with a rotating head helps maintain camera alignment and viewpoint.
Stay in the same position
Try not to change your position as you take a series of photographs, so that the pictures are from the same viewpoint. Using the optical viewfinder with the camera held close to the eye helps keep the viewpoint consistent. Or try using a tripod to keep the camera in the same place.
Avoid using distortion lenses
Distortion lenses can interfere with Photomerge. However, the Auto option adjusts for images taken with fish-eye lenses.
Maintain the same exposure
Avoid using the flash in some pictures and not in others. The blending features in Photomerge helps smooth out different exposures, but extreme differences make alignment difficult. Some digital cameras change exposure settings automatically as you take pictures, so you may need to check your camera settings to be sure that all the images have the same exposure.
Create a Photomerge composition
Choose File > Automate > Photomerge.
Under Source Files in the Photomerge dialog box, choose one of the following from the Use menu:
Files
Generates the Photomerge composition using individual files.
Folders
Uses all the images stored in a folder to create the Photomerge composition.
Specify which images to use by doing one of the following:
To select image files or a folder of images, click the Browse button and navigate to the files or folder.
To use the images currently open in Photoshop, click Add Open Files.
To remove images from the Source File list, select the file and click the Remove button.
Select a Layout option:
Auto
Photoshop analyzes the source images and applies either a Perspective, Cylindrical, and Spherical layout, depending on which produces a better photomerge.
Perspective
Creates a consistent composition by designating one of the source images (by default, the middle image) as the reference image. The other images are then transformed (repositioned, stretched or skewed as necessary) so that overlapping content across layers is matched.
Cylindrical
Reduces the “bow‑tie” distortion that can occur with the Perspective layout by displaying individual images as on an unfolded cylinder. Overlapping content across files is still matched. The reference image is placed at the center. Best suited for creating wide panoramas.