OneDrive Photos snuck onto Windows 11 PCs, and it can’t be uninstalled yet

Microsoft has inadvertently rolled out the new “OneDrive Photos” app to significantly more Windows 11 users than intended, reports Windows Latest. The app appears to have been installed on computers where the OneDrive client was already installed, around August 1st, 2026. It’s also reported to have been installed on company computers, even though it was designed for personal Microsoft accounts.

OneDrive Photos collects images stored locally on the computer and within OneDrive, and it offers features such as search, albums, favorites, and Moments. The app was initially made available as a preview version for Windows Insiders in early 2026.

One big issue right now is that the app can’t be uninstalled separately—it’s linked to the regular OneDrive client. Anyone who wants to remove it must therefore completely uninstall OneDrive to do so.

Microsoft has announced that it’s currently working on a separate uninstallation option just for OneDrive Photos. It’ll be available to all users in September 2026. Microsoft told Windows Latest:

We are incubating a new photos experience in OneDrive that went more broadly than it should have in Windows. We’re fixing that. Windows Photos will always give you the option of local and cloud photos and the choice to use OneDrive or not.

If you’ve been hit with OneDrive Photos and don’t want to wait until September to remove it, you can do so now by uninstalling OneDrive altogether (Settings → Apps → Installed apps → Remove OneDrive). However, there’s a small risk of data loss if you aren’t entirely sure how your files are synced to OneDrive. To be completely safe, you’re better off waiting until September for the seperate removal option.