The September 2023 Update for Windows 11 has brought a few new features to the operating system. One of them is Gallery.
What is “Gallery” in Windows 11?
Gallery is a new feature in Windows 11 September 2023 Update. As the name suggests, the feature lets you access all your photos from one place – Gallery.
The Gallery, by default, shows up in the File Explorer navigation pane/sidebar. Clicking on the Gallery opens the Gallery window, where you can see all the photos on your computer.
While the feature might appeal to most users, some might want to disable the feature and remove the Gallery from the File Explorer navigation pane.
Windows 11, as of now, does not offer an easy option to remove Gallery. However, as always, we can use the Windows Registry to remove Gallery.
Complete the directions below to manually edit the Registry to disable and remove the Gallery from the Windows 11 File Explorer sidebar (navigation pane).
Remove Gallery from Windows 11 File Explorer navigation pane using Registry
Step 1: Type Regedit in the Start/taskbar search and press the Enter key to open the Registry Editor.
If you get the User Account Control prompt, click the Yes button.
Step 2: In the Registry Editor window, copy and paste the following path in the address bar and then press Enter or manually navigate to the path.
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID
Step 3: Perform a right-click on the CLSID key (on the left pane), click New, and then click Key. Name the new key {e88865ea-0e1c-4e20-9aa6-edcd0212c87c} as shown in the picture below.
Step 4: Next, select the newly created {e88865ea-0e1c-4e20-9aa6-edcd0212c87c} key on the left pane. Now, on the right side, right-click on an empty spot, click New, and then click DWORD 32-bit Value and name it System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree. You can also right-click on the newly created DWORD 32-bit Value and then click the Rename option to rename it.
Step 5: Finally, double-click on the newly created System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree and make sure that its value data is set to “0” (zero). This will disable and remove Gallery from the File Explorer navigation pane.
When you want to restore the Gallery feature again, please set the value data to “1”.
Our how to remove Home from Windows 11 File Explorer guide might also interest you.
Mike says
Thank you! The instructions are clear and worked without issue.
Daniel Wright says
To those who had problems with it not working, take the period off of the end of System.IsPinnedToNameSpaceTree and it will work.
Martin Bryant says
Did not work- do not want Gallery!!!
scotty says
worked like a champ, thank so much!
Dennis says
Didn’t work on my system
Magic says
I will say this – thank you from the deepest place of my heart <3
Christian says
Worked on the spot – didn’t even have to reboot (just close all File Explorer Windows and re-open. Thank You very much.
Stephen says
Used your routine to remove gallery from my HP-Z2 Tower with no problem.
Followed the same procedue for my HP 15-dy1xxx laptptop. It does not remove or disable the gallery. What next?
Noname says
These features are annoying.. What is wrong with Windows.. Going back to 10 this is getting absurd.. I did not even give permission for any update..
David says
Thanks for the opportunity to remove the added feature that I was not given a choice of using. I tried your method and re-booted my pc after loading the latest Win11 update. It did not work. However, I was able to go into Explorer and click on the Gallery and remove the default folder. Now with no active folder, it can’t store any pictures. Will see how that works, as a work-a-round.
Thanks,
David
Logan says
Worked Great!
Parallax3D says
Doesn’t work.
Dario says
Thanks for sharing this! The Moment 4 update is full of “features” that nobody asked for!
Ivan says
Very Good. It worked. Thanks.