Microsoft responds to unwanted OneDrive feature installs

Following backlash, Microsoft rushes to add uninstall option for unwanted OneDrive feature - Neowin

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Earlier this week, Microsoft came under fire after Windows 11 admins noticed that the company was installing a new unannounced OneDrive Photos experience on managed devices without any explicit request from IT teams. The rollout was particularly frustrating for organizations because the new experience could appear despite administrators not wanting it on their systems, raising concerns around unexpected changes to corporate devices.

As such, Microsoft now appears to be responding to the backlash surrounding its controversial OneDrive Photos rollout by preparing new controls that will give both administrators and users more say over the feature. Both of these new capabilities have appeared on the Microsoft 365 roadmap, with one aimed at administrators and another giving users a straightforward way to remove the Photos experience.

While Microsoft has not explicitly said that these additions are a direct response to the recent criticism, their timing makes the connection difficult to ignore. Regardless, it is great to see, similar to the OS performance enhancements the company has been working on, which include RAM and general optimization with the help of all-new tools.

The first feature, ID 568931, is called "Manage access to the OneDrive Photos Desktop experience." Microsoft says it is adding administrative controls that will let organizations manage whether users can sign in with personal Microsoft accounts within the Photos experience on Windows.

This should give IT teams more control over how the feature is used across managed devices, particularly when organizations have specific access, data-governance, or device-management requirements. The feature is currently listed as in development, with rollout scheduled to start later this month (August 2026).

Secondly, Microsoft is also preparing a dedicated uninstall option for OneDrive Photos. Listed under roadmap ID 568934, "Uninstall OneDrive Photos without affecting file sync" will allow users to remove the Photos experience independently from the main OneDrive application. Microsoft says uninstalling it will not remove OneDrive, interrupt file synchronization, or delete photos and files stored through the service.

Microsoft says the option is intended to give people more control over their Windows experience, particularly those who prefer managing their photos through another application. The feature is currently in development and is scheduled to begin rolling out a month later, in September 2026.

You can check out the entries at the source links below on the official Microsoft 365 roadmap website.

Source: Microsoft 365 roadmap (link1, link2)

Microsoft responds to unwanted OneDrive feature installs

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