How to Stop OneDrive Document Scans from Appearing as Photos
Question details
Prevent scanned personal documents saved in OneDrive from automatically showing up in the Photos widget on Microsoft Start.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Managing scanned documents to prevent sensitive or irrelevant image files from displaying in automated photo feeds and widgets.
- Observed behavior
- Scanned personal documents stored in OneDrive are being categorized as photos and displayed in the Microsoft Start Photos widget.
Before adjusting your OneDrive settings, ensure you know exactly which local folders contain your scanned documents so you can easily manage their synchronization and display preferences.
Move Sensitive Scans to OneDrive Personal Vault
Store your sensitive scanned documents in the Personal Vault, which securely hides them from standard photo feeds and widgets like Microsoft Start.
OneDrive classifies standard image-based scans (like JPG or PNG) as photos. By moving these files into the Personal Vault, OneDrive recognizes them as secured items and automatically excludes them from photo carousels and external integrations.
Open your OneDrive folder in File Explorer or navigate to the OneDrive website in your browser.
Locate the 'Personal Vault' icon and double-click to unlock it using your designated authentication method (such as an SMS code or authenticator app).
Drag and drop or move your scanned image files into the Personal Vault folder to keep them private.
Exclude Specific Folders from OneDrive Sync
Stop OneDrive from automatically syncing the specific folders that contain your scanned documents to prevent them from being categorized as photos.
Pause Syncing or Unlink Your PC
Temporarily or permanently stop OneDrive from uploading new scanned documents from your current device.
Manage Your Scanned Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office
Tired of your scanned documents cluttering your photo feeds? WPS Office offers a free, lightweight alternative with native PDF support. Scan, save, and manage your documents directly as true PDFs rather than image files, bypassing photo widgets while maintaining excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office formats.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and click 'Download WPS Office Free' to get the installer for your device.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
- 3. Scan and Save as PDF: Open WPS Office and use the built-in PDF tools to digitize documents directly into PDF format, keeping them out of your photo feeds completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my scanned documents show up as photos in Microsoft Start?
If your scanned documents are saved as image files (such as JPG or PNG), OneDrive automatically categorizes them as pictures. Microsoft Start then pulls these images from your synced OneDrive account to populate its Photos widget.
Does pausing OneDrive sync remove my documents from the cloud?
No, pausing or unlinking OneDrive only stops new files from being uploaded or downloaded. Any scanned documents already synced will remain securely in your OneDrive cloud storage and may still appear in linked photo feeds until deleted or moved to the Personal Vault.
How can I scan documents without them being saved as images?
Check your scanner's software settings and change the default output format from 'JPEG' or 'PNG' to 'PDF'. Cloud services and photo widgets generally recognize PDFs as documents and exclude them from photo galleries.
