How to Add or Remove the Windows 11 Gallery Folder

This guide explains how to manage the folders shown in the File Explorer Gallary Gallery on Windows 11.

Starting with Windows build 23435, Windows 11 includes a Gallery feature in File Explorer. It is designed to make viewing your photos easier. If you use OneDrive Camera Roll Backup on your phone, your photos will also show up there automatically.

The Gallery gathers images from your File Explorer, your Pictures library, and the Photos app into one view.

Why manage your Gallery?

You might want to see photos stored in different folders on your computer. You may also want to hide folders to keep your view clean. Managing these settings helps you organize your files and find your pictures faster.

What happens when done?

Once you finish, your Gallery will only show the photos you want to see. This makes browsing your collection much simpler.

Add or remove folders in File Explorer

You can change your settings directly inside File Explorer.

1. Open File Explorer and click on Gallery in the side menu.
2. Select Collection and then Manage collection in the top menu bar.

1. Click the Add button to pick a folder from your PC. The files will stay in their original location, such as C:\Users\Username\Pictures\NewFolder.

1. Select the folder you want and click Include folder.

To remove a folder later:

1. Go back to Collection and then Manage collection in the File Explorer command bar.
2. Select the folder you want to remove and click Remove.

Add and remove folders using the Photos app

You can also use the Photos app to change these settings.

1. Open the Photos app.
2. Select the Folders tab on the left side.
3. Click the Add a folder button.

1. Choose the folder you want to include and click Select Folder.

To remove a folder using this method:

1. Right-click the folder you want to stop showing.
2. Select Remove folder from the menu.

Summary

Managing your Gallery keeps your photo collection organized. You can add folders to see all your pictures in one place or remove them to hide folders you do not need. You can perform these tasks using either the File Explorer or the Photos app.