OneDrive File Issues

How to Select Specific Folders for OneDrive Memories

Emma Brown Oct 8, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if there is a way to configure OneDrive's 'Memories from This Day' feature to only scan and display photos from a specifically selected folder.

How to Select Specific Folders for OneDrive Memories

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing which images (including bitmaps and PNGs) appear in the automated OneDrive daily memories feature.
Observed behavior: OneDrive's Memories feature pulls images, such as bitmaps and PNGs, from various locations without providing a built-in option to restrict the source to a single, chosen picture folder.

Before you start

Keep in mind that by default, OneDrive is programmed to automatically scan your entire Pictures library, Camera Roll, and general OneDrive storage for eligible media to feature in Memories.

Solution 1Recommended

Move Unwanted Images Out of Scanned Folders

Since OneDrive scans default folders for its Memories feature, moving non-photo images elsewhere prevents them from appearing.

Currently, OneDrive does not have a native setting to whitelist or blacklist specific folders for Memories. The most effective workaround is to manually manage where your images are stored.

Locate the unwanted files

Open File Explorer and navigate to your main 'Pictures' or 'Camera Roll' folders where the unwanted bitmaps and PNG files are currently stored.

Create a new storage location

Create a new folder in a location outside of the default Pictures, Camera Roll, or OneDrive photo directories.

Move the images

Select the images you do not want to see in Memories and move them into this newly created folder so OneDrive skips them during its automated scan.

Move Unwanted Images Out of Scanned Folders

Current Limitation: OneDrive currently does not offer a built-in feature to whitelist or blacklist specific folders for Memories from This Day.

Solution 2

Submit a Feature Request via Windows Feedback Hub

Let Microsoft know that a folder selection option for OneDrive Memories is a needed feature.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I completely turn off the 'Memories from This Day' notifications in OneDrive?

Yes, you can disable the notifications by opening OneDrive Settings, navigating to the Notifications tab, and toggling off the option for 'When OneDrive suggests a new collection of my photos and videos'.

Which file types does the OneDrive Memories feature include?

By default, OneDrive Memories scans for various common image and video formats, including standard JPEGs, PNGs, bitmaps, and MP4s stored in your Pictures or Camera Roll folders.

Is there a way to hide a specific photo from Memories without deleting it?

You cannot hide an individual photo directly from the Memories view. You must either move the photo out of the scanned folders (such as Pictures or Camera Roll) or remove it entirely from your synchronized OneDrive storage.

Document & File Issues