In a recent development that has stirred discontent among IT administrators, Microsoft has begun the silent installation of the “OneDrive Photos” app on Windows PCs. Initially perceived as a consumer-focused feature, it has now become apparent that enterprise users are also receiving this unexpected addition. According to Windows Latest, the app is being pushed onto enterprise systems, including those managed via Microsoft Intune, without prior notification.
Feedback from IT professionals has been overwhelmingly negative. One administrator expressed frustration, stating, “Microsoft never learns. We manage hundreds of PCs using Intune, and all had this new ‘OneDrive Photos’ entry in the Start menu. How many mistakes will it take before they realize we do not want random apps across our organizations?” Another echoed similar sentiments, noting that the app is incompatible with Entra accounts and cannot be removed without uninstalling OneDrive entirely.
Complaints have proliferated across platforms like Reddit, highlighting a growing unease among users who find unsolicited applications appearing on their systems. The general consensus among Windows users is clear: they prefer to maintain control over the applications and settings on their devices.
What is OneDrive Photos for Windows 11?
OneDrive Photos is essentially a web-based gallery feature that mirrors the functionality of OneDrive.com. Upon testing, it became evident that the app is designed to index and display photos stored on the local machine, functioning similarly to traditional media players that organize content by date or name. Despite its sleek design and efficient resource management—utilizing less than 1GB of RAM on a system with 32GB of RAM—its purpose remains unclear, especially with the existing Microsoft Photos app already serving similar functions.
While OneDrive Photos introduces features like “Moments” and “People,” which utilize AI to categorize images, many users question the necessity of this app when alternatives are readily available. The integration of OneDrive Photos into the Start menu has raised eyebrows, particularly as it appears to overshadow the established Microsoft Photos app in search results.
IT admins rage as Microsoft force-installs OneDrive Photos
The rollout of OneDrive Photos has left many IT administrators feeling blindsided, as the app operates only with personal Microsoft accounts and was introduced without any prior communication from Microsoft. “This is NOT how you treat a Pro/Ent OS Edition or how a vendor should treat anything running in a managed environment,” one administrator lamented on Reddit. The lack of information regarding this beta app in the Microsoft 365 Message Center or on the Microsoft Learn portal has further fueled frustration.
OneDrive Photos is tied to the OneDrive sync client and cannot be removed without deleting OneDrive entirely
Compounding the issue, OneDrive Photos is intricately linked to the OneDrive sync client, making it impossible to uninstall without removing OneDrive itself. Users have discovered that while the app appears in Windows Search results with an ‘Uninstall’ option, it does not show up in the Installed apps page, leading to confusion. This unconventional installation method has raised concerns about transparency and user autonomy.
For those seeking to remove the OneDrive Photos shortcut from their systems, a script has been developed to facilitate this process. However, users are finding that the shortcut often reappears, indicating a persistent connection to the OneDrive sync client, which continues to update itself. As discussions with Microsoft unfold, there are indications that this rollout may have been unintended, with an apology anticipated in the near future.
