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Bob Trlin
Inspiring
March 22, 2026
Question

Is Windows 11 File Explorer Gallery dangerous?

  • March 22, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 46 views

I’ve noticed that File Explorer now shows a folder called Gallery.  I understand it’s a new feature.  It contains thumbnails of images that have recently been put in the Pictures folder.  That’s all well and good, even nice.  However, I like to remove clutter and was about to clear the Gallery on the assumption that just the thumbnails will be removes, but thought I’d better check first.  It turns out that deleting the thumbnails also deletes the original in the Pictures folder.  That should strike fear in any photographer that uses the Pictures folder as part of their workflow.  Apparently, deleting the Gallery folder can be done safely without threatening the originals but I’ve yet to try it.
So, what do you think?  Has Microsoft inadvertently created a potential photographer’s land mine into File Explorer or have I had too many coffees? 

    2 replies

    AxelMatt
    Community Expert
    AxelMattCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 23, 2026

     

    ​@Bob Trlin 

    ...It contains thumbnails of images that have recently been put in the Pictures folder. 

    ...

    Has Microsoft inadvertently created a potential photographer’s land mine into File Explorer

     

    No, that aren’t only thumbnails. This are links to the appropriate images in the Picture folder.

    If you try to delete them you delete the origin file.

     

    I believe MS also added the gallery at the request of users who wanted a structured overview of their images without having to worry too much about a corresponding folder structure.

    I personally don't use the Pictures folder at all. I have a separate drive for my pictures, organized accordingly.

    This also ensures a strict separation between my system and my data.

     

     

    My System: Intel i7-8700K - 64GB RAM - NVidia Geforce RTX 3060 - Windows 11 Pro 25H2 -- LR-Classic 15 - Photoshop 27 - Nik Collection 8 - PureRAW 6 - Topaz Photo AI
    dj_paige
    dj_paige
    Legend
    March 22, 2026

    In my Windows 11 computer, the Gallery comes from a link via the Windows app called Phone Link to my cell phone’s pictures. These are photos that exist on my cell phone. Is that what you see on your computer?

     

    B
    Bob TrlinAuthor
    Inspiring
    March 22, 2026

    I think so, only I don’t have my phone photos synced with Windows so I don’t see the phone photos in Gallery.  I see only the photos in the Pictures folder of the computer.  In your case, and without having tested it, there’s a chance that if you chose to delete the phone photos in the Windows Gallery, they might delete off your phone as well.  That may or may not be what you want.  It’s not that intuitively obvious and it may be some time before you realise the originals are gone.  That’s the danger.

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