Microsoft Admits Forcing OneDrive Photos on Windows 11, Denies AI Face Training
Microsoft acknowledged force-installing the OneDrive Photos app on certain Windows 11 devices, excluding enterprise systems managed by Microsoft Intune. The company also clarified that it does not use users' photos or facial recognition data to train its AI models. This response addresses growing user concerns over privacy and forced software updates in Windows 11, especially regarding how personal data is handled for AI training. It highlights the tension between Microsoft's aggressive app distribution tactics and user autonomy. The "People" facial grouping feature in OneDrive Photos is disabled by default, operates in the cloud only for user-permitted OneDrive photos, and deletes all collected data within 30 days if disabled. The app can still view local images even when users are not signed in.
## BACKGROUND
Microsoft OneDrive Photos is a cloud-based photo storage and backup service integrated into Windows. Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based unified endpoint management service used by organizations to manage and secure corporate devices, which explains why enterprise PCs were excluded from this forced installation.