Thought Leadership
OneDrive Photos, previously known for being quietly installed as an additional app, has now appeared on Windows 11 Enterprise devices.
According to tech publication Neowin, several IT administrators reported that the beta-labeled OneDrive Photos app began appearing on Windows 11 Enterprise PCs they manage on August 1. The feature is designed for consumer users and cannot even be used in these corporate environments without a personal Microsoft account. Administrators criticized Microsoft for effectively adding an unnecessary application to their environments without prior notice and leaving them to deal with its removal.
The situation was further complicated by the fact that OneDrive Photos initially could not be uninstalled separately because the app is technically tied to the standard OneDrive sync client. Until now, the only option was to remove OneDrive entirely, which also affects file synchronization as well as related File Explorer integrations and shortcuts. In response, a community member published a custom Intune remediation script that allows administrators to automatically remove the app from managed devices.
Microsoft Confirms Unintended Broad Rollout
In response to inquiries from Neowin and tech publication Windows Latest, a Microsoft spokesperson said:
“We are testing a new photo experience in OneDrive that has spread more broadly in Windows than intended. We are fixing it.”
Microsoft spokesperson
Microsoft said the Windows Photos app will continue to give users the choice between locally stored and cloud-based photos, as well as the option of whether to use OneDrive at all. On devices managed through Microsoft Intune, the app is expected to automatically disappear from systems where it is not supported, according to the company.
In response to continued criticism, Microsoft has also announced plans to introduce a dedicated uninstall option for the Photos feature that is separate from OneDrive itself. According to Microsoft, removing the Photos feature will not uninstall the OneDrive app, interrupt file synchronization, or delete stored photos and files.
Automatic Access to Local Photo Folders
As previously reported, OneDrive Photos can also be used without signing in with a Microsoft account because the app automatically detects locally stored images and, by default, accesses all photo folders on the device.
The app also includes a separate feature that can automatically group similar faces in photos. Microsoft explicitly asks for permission before this feature is enabled and warns that the data processed for this purpose may be considered biometric data in some regions.
(Editorial Team)
