How to Remove Gallery in Windows 11

In Windows 11, Microsoft introduced a new Gallery app integrated within the File Explorer to help you conveniently view photos. However, if you find it unnecessary or it causes inconvenience, you may want to remove it. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to uninstall the Gallery in Windows 11 and free up system space from unnecessary components.

Step 1: Disabling the Gallery via Settings

The first step in removing Gallery might be to disable it through the system settings:

  • Open Settings (press Win + I).
  • Navigate to Apps > Apps & features.
  • In the list of apps, locate Gallery or Photos.
  • Select the app, click on Advanced options, and disable it if an option is available.

Step 2: Removing Gallery Using PowerShell

If you cannot uninstall Gallery through Settings, try using PowerShell. This method allows you to remove built-in apps from the system:

  1. Open PowerShell as an administrator (right-click on the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin)).
  2. Enter the following command to remove the app, then press Enter:
Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.Windows.Photos* | Remove-AppxPackage

This command will remove the Gallery app from your system. Note that future Windows updates might reinstall the app.

Step 3: Using Third-Party Programs to Remove Built-In Apps

There are third-party programs, such as O&O AppBuster or CCleaner, that allow you to remove built-in Windows apps, including Gallery. Before using these, it’s recommended to create a system restore point to easily revert any changes if needed.