UPDATED 11/13/2023: On Windows 11 23H2, you can enable File Explorer’s new “Gallery” page if the feature isn’t available by default. This new view on the left navigation page introduces nothing visually new. Instead, it’s an integration similar to the “Photos” app.
The new page includes a new view for pictures identical to the view available in the Photos app, showing a preview of images with larger thumbnails, hiding the file name, and using chronological sorting. On the new “Gallery” page, you can use the “Manage Locations” option from the “Collection” menu to add or remove folders with images. The default settings only show the contents of the “Pictures” folder.
The Gallery view should be available after upgrading to version 23H2, but if it’s not, at the time of this writing, it’s still possible to disable or enable the page using the third-party tool called “ViveTool.”
This guide will teach you the steps to turn on this new feature on Windows 11.
Enable Gallery in File Explorer on Windows 11
To enable File Explorer Gallery, use these steps:
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Download the ViveTool-vx.x.x.zip file to enable the Gallery entry.
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Double-click the zip folder to open it with File Explorer.
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Click the Extract all button.
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Click the Extract button.
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Copy the path to the folder.
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Open Start.
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Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
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Type the following command to navigate to the ViveTool folder and press Enter:
cd c:\folder\path\ViveTool-v0.x.x
In the command, remember to change the path to the folder with your path.
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Type the following command to enable the updated Gallery page and press Enter:
vivetool /enable /id:41040327
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Restart the computer.
Once you complete the steps, File Explorer will include a “Gallery” entry to access your pictures on Windows 11.
If you change your mind, you can revert the changes with the same instructions, but in step 10, make sure to run the vivetool /disable /id:41040327 command and restart the device.
Update November 13, 2023: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect that the command can still be used to enable the feature in the official release of Windows 11 23H2. However, it’s important to note that at one point, Microsoft will enable the feature permanently, and these commands will stop working.
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 14 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 20 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].