Windows 8 introduced two photo viewer apps. One was used on touch devices, the other, familiar to Windows 7 users, could be used on traditional PCs and was called "Photo Viewer". The application is fast, convenient and belongs to the category of "why fix what's not broken". But in Windows 10, Microsoft has greatly complicated the process of restoring this application, and not everyone likes the new application, and it does not work in the best way. Enough tolerating this! For your attention, instructions how to get photo viewer back in windows 10.
Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 10.
You can do this procedure in two ways:
- Using a third party application WinAero Tweaker.
- By editing the registry manually.
How to get Windows 10 Photo Viewer back with WinAero Tweaker
This is an easy way that will require literally 3 minutes of your time.
WinAero Tweaker window
- Download the app.
- Agree to the terms of use and scroll down the list of tweaks.
- Open "Activate Windows Photo Viewer" and click the button with the same label.
- Now the system will open the default application settings window.
- On the left side of the screen, find the inscription "Windows Photo Viewer" and select "Set this program as default".
- All photos will now open in Windows Photo Viewer by default.
Windows 10 Photo Viewer via Registry Editor
More complex and more suitable for advanced users.
- Open the registry editor (press Win+R and type regedit).
- Go to the next branch: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Photo Viewer\Capabilities\FileAssociations. If this branch does not exist, just create it.
- Create the following values:
".bmp"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".dib"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".gif"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".jfif"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".jpe"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".jpeg"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".jpg"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".jxr"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".png"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff" - Now go to Computer Settings - System - Default Applications - Set Defaults by Application.
- Find the Windows Photo Viewer and activate the default usage.
Do you like the new app or will you go back to the old photo viewer in Windows? Share with us in the comments below.
In Windows 10, by default, it opens images using the Photos app. However, you can also continue to use the old photo viewer, which did not disappear under Windows 10, but is only used for special image files.
Activate the old photo viewer
Note. Not all features of the old Photo Viewer are currently available. You can view your pictures as you are used to, but direct printing from the viewer is no longer possible.
To activate the old viewer, you will need to make some changes to the Windows registry. To do this, you need to open the registry editor: press the key combination to open the Run command.
Enter the command "regedit" and confirm with "OK". Confirm the UAC prompt. The Registry Editor will open. On the left, navigate to the path:
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Photo Viewer\Capabilities\FileAssociations".
Right-click on the empty area on the right side, and under New, select String Value.
Name the string ".jpg" and open it with a double click.
Then set the Value field to the parameter name "PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff" without quotes and confirm with "OK".
Repeat for all other desired image formats such as PNG, JPEG, GIF, or BMP. The value always remains the same.
Select the default viewer in Windows 10
Close Registry Editor and open any image file.
Now you have a choice between several viewers. Click on any image, for example, with a JPG extension, and select "Windows Photo Viewer" as the viewer.
Then enable the "Always use this app to open files" option.
Windows 10: Use the old image viewer If the dialog box does not appear, right-click the image and select "Choose another application" under "Open With".
The OK button saves your settings. You must do these steps once for each file type, such as PNG and JPG.
With the new system from Microsoft, you can do a lot more with your images. In the next article, we'll show you how to sign in with an image code in Windows 10.
Photos and pictures on the computer have long been no surprise. However, such a seemingly ordinary thing as a photo cannot be opened without a viewer. But the problem will disappear by itself if you know what to look for.
Windows Photo Viewer
This is a standard Windows 7 program that is installed with the operating system. Also, it's the easiest one to find. Its functionality is the most minimal:
- view images of all formats;
- automatic display of photos in the form of a slide show;
- increase and decrease;
- Rotate a photo 360 degrees.
He is not capable of anything else. Although why do you need more if its only function is to view pictures. And he does great with it. It is also worth noting that this Windows 7 image viewer, due to its simplicity, consumes a minimum amount of RAM, so it starts up quickly and runs like clockwork.
Paint
The well-known standard drawing tool for PC. Most often, it is with her that children begin their acquaintance with the computer. However, in combination, it is a good Windows image viewer for almost all common formats.
In addition to multiple drawing features, it has a very useful function of rotating and reflecting the image horizontally and diagonally. In addition, it can be used to save a graphic element in a different format.
Free
- FastStone Image Viewer. A very common image viewer, it has an intuitive interface and is easy to use. Everything is in plain sight, almost all tool buttons are clear at a glance, the folder tree will help you find photos without leaving the program, thumbnails of pictures are shown.
In addition, the utility is notable for its great functionality for editing and small processing of photos, as well as the ability to view them in full screen mode. In the same mode, you can edit using the pop-up toolbar.
A distinctive feature of the program is the function of collective renaming of files, it is called "Batch conversion / renaming". For more convenient viewing, you can create a slideshow with quite interesting settings (show in random order, use effects and music, compress photos, etc.).
- picasa. Also a very famous image viewer. It has both a simple and sophisticated design. When you open a picture, the editing panel immediately opens using filters (auto-correction of light, retouching, remove red eyes, etc.). In addition, you can experiment with colors, brightness and contrast.
As in the previous program, there is a function to create a slide show with the addition of a variety of effects, transitions and music. However, the main feature of Picasa is not in this. She is famous for being able to find a certain person in a photo or group pictures with the presence of a certain personality.
An excellent utility for familiarization with graphic files. It has a stylish modern design. Supports a lot of well-known and not so image formats. It can be controlled using hot keys, and it is also possible to make a caption for the photo in it. In addition, with its help, any picture can easily become wallpaper on your desktop.
This utility does not contain any major editing features. However, it is somewhat different from its relatives in that it does not need to be installed, and it is not case bound. Therefore, you can safely carry it on a flash drive and use it to view various kinds of images.
Program from Microsoft Office
The world-famous Microsoft Office software package is installed on almost every computer. It includes a large number of office utilities, among which there is also an image viewer. It's called Microsoft Office Picture Manager.
Its functionality is small, but it is enough for viewing photos and editing them a little. With it, you can:
- flip or rotate the image;
- crop or change resolution;
- adjust color, brightness and contrast;
- remove the red-eye effect, etc.
This utility is able to open graphic elements of many formats. The only caveat is that the software package license from Microsoft is paid, and it costs a lot. But you can find a hacked office on torrents (however, it is highly undesirable to do this, since a rather large fine threatens to use pirated programs).
Which is better to choose?
Of course, it is impossible to definitely say which is the best image viewer. It all depends on the preferences of the user, what features he wants to see and what to do with the photo. But we can definitely say that it is useful to have a couple of different programs on your computer. For example, you can use the standard utility for simple viewing and Paint for minimal editing and resaving, and additionally install FastStone Image Viewer for advanced action with graphic files.
When the Windows 10 operating system is installed, the user is faced with a problem. Microsoft deprived users of a popular program that provided high-quality, fast and convenient image viewing. Users were offered an alternative. The program is called "Photos". Despite the fact that this tool is not inferior to the photo viewer in terms of functionality, and even slightly superior, many users did not like it. The point here is the convenience and design of the program. Many conservative users want to return to their old photo viewing, as in the old and familiar Windows 7. Below are some quick and easy ways to install the familiar, old gallery for your computer with the newest operating system.
The return of the program for viewing pictures after updating the OS to the latest
When you update the system, the photo viewer does not disappear or hide in the system in any way. You can easily find it in the list with programs and use the gallery application familiar to you. To do this, you need to perform a number of simple steps:
- Right-click on absolutely any image that is downloaded to your computer's hard drive, in the window that appears, select "Open with".
- A list will appear in which you can find a gallery from old systems. In order to open a photo once using this program, just click on it.
- To always open all photos of this type using the "Photo Viewer", you must click on the line "Choose another application". The line is below all other applications.
- In the window, select the program we need. Next, you need to make sure that the program always, and not once, opens images. Click on the line "Always use this particular program to open such files" (also any other graphics, you need to install separately).
After this simple procedure, everything will open normally and correctly, as in Windows 7.
Installing the usual photo viewing experience for a full installation of Windows 10
If you have completed the installation of Windows 10 on your computer and want to return to the usual method of viewing photos, then this is not so easy to do. In Windows 10, Microsoft programmers have hidden the much-loved Photo Viewer program. If you try to set this as the default photo viewer, you simply won't be able to find the app you want. However, getting it back is pretty easy.
Bringing Back the Photo Viewer with Winaero Tweaker
Interesting! Winaero Tweaker is usually used to customize the functional component, including the program allows you to use various hidden features for the needs of users. In addition, you do not need to install the program, it will be able to start normally and work directly from the folder.
To return the usual photo viewing with the Winaero Tweaker utility, we need to:
After that, in your Windows 10, all the files that are supported will be opened in the gallery you know and love from Windows 7.
Installing an Alternative Image Viewer
If you don't like the new "Photo" program due to slow and unstable work, poor and unusual design, or for various other reasons, then you can return the old gallery you are used to with a few simple steps, or go the other way.
The easiest way to solve this problem is to simply download any other third-party photo viewer recommended by users.
On the Internet you can find hundreds of different programs for viewing photos of all known formats and working with them. Perhaps you will find a program for yourself that you will like even more than the analogue from Windows 7.
Interesting! Modern applications are able to offer the consumer a truly huge functionality, a beautiful and intuitive interface, as well as fast and safe operation. Some galleries even have their own small cloud storage where you can upload your photos, and are not afraid for the safety of your computer's hard drive.
Enabling Photo Viewer via Powershell
Let's see what Powershell is in general, and for what purposes it is used. In fact, this is a much more functional and advanced "Command Line" from older versions of the operating system. Experienced users and programmers can work through this application with services, any processes in the operating system. But, unfortunately, it will not be so easy for ordinary users to deal with this. With the help of an analogue of the command line, we can do what we need - install the familiar image viewer.
To enable Photo Viewer from older systems via Powershell we need to:
You can find commands on the Internet, but we do not recommend using this method if you are not sure that you can do everything well. For insurance, also be sure to make a restore point or system backup.
After inserting all the required rows, commit the changes and the desired result will be achieved. This is a fairly simple but dangerous method that requires almost no action from you.
What to do if you can't open a graphic file
In any gallery, whether it is simple, understandable and proven from the "Seven" or this new "Photos" application, which recently appeared on computers and most users found it inconvenient, unexpected problems with viewing photos may appear. They simply won't run, and you won't be able to fully use your computer.
Let's think about what can be done in such a situation and analyze the detailed solution of problems using the example of different operating systems.
Problems with Photo Viewer in the "seven"
A fairly common problem is when Photo Viewer cannot open the file you need. Users are looking for solutions to this problem. Here is a solution to this problem:
Video - How to recover corrupted files
If a few weeks ago your operating system was working fine, then you just need. This can only be done if you have ever created a special point on your PC to which you can roll back the system, or this was done automatically by your system. If it doesn't exist yet, we recommend creating it. After all, the useful System Restore program is able to correct any violation related to the operation of the operating system itself.
Another way to restore normal photo viewing is to touch the registry
Many useful settings and options are found in the registry. Parts of some applications may remain here due to an unsuccessful system removal. Therefore, we will try to solve the problem through the registry. For this:
Reset app
The first thing that is recommended to be done if any errors occur with the Photos application is to reset its settings. The essence of the method is that all its data will be erased, and you will start using the running application again. The method is very simple and often effective.
So, we looked at some very simple ways that will allow you to use the photo viewing familiar to everyone in the new Windows 10. We also learned how to troubleshoot photo viewing issues in Windows.
Video - Photo Viewer in Windows 10
The developers of Windows 10, for some reason they knew, decided to abandon the image viewer that has been familiar since the days of Windows 7 - Windows Photo Viewer (Windows Photo Viewer), in favor of the Modern application Photos (Photos). The old photo viewer is only associated with *.tif and *.tiff file extensions and there is no way to assign it to open other types of image files.
Despite the fact that the modern Photos application has much more functionality (filters, image processing, visual effects are available), the old Windows Photo Viewer is much faster and just more convenient. In this article, we will understand How to Restore the Old Photo Viewer in Windows 10.
So, as we have already said, in Windows 10 you cannot assign Windows Photo Viewer as a program for opening graphic files, in particular:
The developers of Windows 10 cleaned as much as possible all the registry keys associated with the functionality of Windows Photo Viewer, although the utility itself remained in place in the system and is located in the directory C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Photo Viewer\.
Note. If you upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, the Windows Photo Viewer item will be available for selection in the "Open With" context menu and file associations in the Control Panel, because the necessary registry keys will not be deleted during the upgrade. Thus, everything discussed below applies to systems on which Windows 10 was installed "from scratch"
You can force launch the Photo Viewer in Windows 10 in a specific folder using the command:
rundll32 "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Photo Viewer\PhotoViewer.dll", ImageView_Fullscreen C:\FOTO
To return the ability to set Windows Photo Viewer as the default application in the Control Panel for the current user, import the following registry file:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
@="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
@="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
@="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
@="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
@="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
@="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
The next reg file with registry data is more universal, it is applied to all users of the system by creating file associations at the application level. File associations with Windows Photo Viewer are created in the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Photo Viewer\Capabilities\FileAssociations 
In addition, this registry tweak returns the ability to select Windows Photo Viewer in the context menu of images "Open With"
Ready reg file to make the necessary changes:
Thus, Windows Photo Viewer can again be used to open most types of images.
Note. In the event that you are using Windows 10 inside a virtual machine (VirtualBox, VMWare) without hardware acceleration, then Windows Photo Viewer, which depends on Direct3D acceleration, will not work.