Remove OneDrive Photos from Windows
Windows updates can reinstall or reconnect photo, cloud, and consumer companion features that many people never asked for. OneDrive Photos is one of those annoyances: it can add prompts, background hooks, and cloud photo surfaces even when you are trying to keep a clean local Windows setup.
Manual cleanup checklist
- Open Windows Settings, go to Apps, and review Installed apps for OneDrive Photos, Photos add-ons, OneDrive companion items, or other cloud photo extras.
- Open Startup apps and disable photo/cloud helpers that do not need to run every time Windows starts.
- Open OneDrive settings if you use OneDrive for files, and turn off photo import, camera upload, or sync prompts you do not want.
- Restart the PC and check whether the entry or prompt comes back after sign-in.
Why it comes back
Windows feature updates can restore consumer-facing defaults, reinstall Appx packages, or reconnect built-in app experiences. That is why a repeatable cleanup tool is more useful than a one-time registry note in a random forum thread.
Use the cleanup tool
In Khuna's Windows Cleanup Tool, leave the recommended low-risk items selected, review the OneDrive Photos item, and read the risk label before applying. The tool creates backups where it can and logs what it changed so you are not guessing later.