- To remove the File Explorer Gallery on Windows 11 from the Registry key “CLSID,” create the “{e88865ea-0e1c-4e20-9aa6-edcd0212c87c}” key, then create a “System.IsPinnedToNamespaceTree” DWORD, and set it to “0.”
On Windows 11, you can remove the Gallery page from File Explorer, and in this guide, I will show you the steps to complete this configuration.
“Gallery” is a new page that Microsoft introduced in File Explorer as part of the Windows 11 23H2 release. It offers a view identical to the one available in the Photos app. The page previews images with larger thumbnails, hides the file name, and uses chronological sorting. It even includes settings to add and remove folders from the view.
Although it can be a convenient experience for many users, in my case, I never actually use this feature. I’m already comfortable using the Photos app, and if I need to find a specific image, I just browse the folder directly. If this feature isn’t for you either, File Explorer doesn’t include an option to disable the Gallery, but you can use the Registry to remove it completely.
In this guide, I will outline the steps to use the Registry to get rid of the Gallery entry on File Explorer.
Remove Gallery from File Explorer
To remove the File Explorer Gallery page on Windows 11, use these steps:
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Open Start on Windows 11.
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Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry.
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Navigate to the following path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID
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Right-click the CLSID key, select New, and click on Key.
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Confirm the {e88865ea-0e1c-4e20-9aa6-edcd0212c87c} name for the key and press Enter.
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Right-click the newly created key, select new, and click the “DWORD (32-bit)” option.
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Confirm the System.IsPinnedToNamespaceTree name and press Enter.
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Right-click the newly created DWORD and choose the modify option.
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Confirm the value is set to 0.
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Click the OK button.
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Restart the computer.
Quick tip: You can also restart the “Windows Explorer” from the Task Manager Processes tab by clicking the “Restart task” button.
Once you complete the steps, the Gallery page will no longer appear on the left navigation pane the next time you relaunch File Explorer.
If you want to revert the changes, you can use the same instructions, but on step 4, right-click the {e88865ea-0e1c-4e20-9aa6-edcd0212c87c} key and choose the “Delete” option.
Do you use this image viewer or plan to remove it? Share your thoughts, and let me know if this worked for you.
Update July 3, 2024: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].