Microsoft Quietly Installs OneDrive Photos on Enterprise PCs

Microsoft is quietly rolling out a new OneDrive Photos app to Windows PCs through the existing OneDrive sync client, including devices managed by enterprise IT departments.

Administrators using Microsoft Intune reported on Reddit that the app appeared on hundreds of Windows 11 Enterprise computers without warning or approval.

The rollout has created an unusual situation because OneDrive Photos currently supports only personal Microsoft accounts. Employees cannot access it with Microsoft Entra work accounts, leaving companies with an installed app that their users cannot use.

IT administrators criticize the unannounced rollout

Administrators say Microsoft did not announce the deployment through the Microsoft 365 Message Center or Microsoft Learn documentation.

The frustration has increased because OneDrive Photos appears to remain in beta. Some administrators argue that Microsoft should not automatically deploy unfinished consumer software to Professional or Enterprise editions of Windows.

Others criticized Microsoft for introducing another application without administrative approval, while requested Windows features and fixes remain incomplete.

OneDrive Photos cannot be removed normally

OneDrive Photos does not arrive as a standard Microsoft Store or MSIX package. Microsoft instead places its executable inside the existing OneDrive installation directory.

This delivery method prevents administrators from blocking the app through standard Microsoft Store or MSIX management policies. Microsoft also does not appear to provide a dedicated Group Policy setting for disabling it.

Removing the executable could cause problems with OneDrive, while uninstalling OneDrive Photos completely would require removing the entire OneDrive sync client.

The most practical temporary workaround involves deleting the OneDrive Photos Start menu shortcut with a script. However, OneDrive updates may restore the shortcut, forcing administrators to repeat the process.

Reports indicate that the app appeared after OneDrive updated to version 26.129.0706.0003.

The deployment may have been accidental

Early reports suggest Microsoft may not have intended to deploy OneDrive Photos across managed enterprise devices. Administrators have reportedly contacted the company for clarification.

Microsoft could provide an explanation or removal option after it confirms what triggered the rollout.

In other news, Apple is working on iPhone-to-Windows clipboard sync and Microsoft has explained why the shift to WinUI is going so slow.

Via Windows Latest