11 Ways To Restore Windows Photo Viewer on Your Windows 10 PC in 2023

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is Windows Photo Viewer?
3. Why Restore Windows Photo Viewer?
4. Method 1: Using Default Programs Settings
5. Method 2: Registry Editor
6. Method 3: Command Prompt
7. Method 4: Third-party Software
8. Method 5: Windows Update
9. Method 6: Reinstalling Windows Photo Viewer
10. Method 7: Using a System Restore Point
11. Method 8: Resetting Default Apps
12. Method 9: Using PowerShell
13. Method 10: Modifying the Windows Registry
14. Method 11: Using DISM and SFC Scans
15. FAQs
16. Conclusion

1. Introduction

Windows Photo Viewer, once a default image viewer in Windows, provided a simple and effective way to view your photos. However, with the introduction of Windows 10, Microsoft replaced it with the Photos app. While the Photos app is feature-rich, some users prefer the simplicity and familiarity of the old Windows Photo Viewer. In this article, we will explore 11 ways to restore Windows Photo Viewer on your Windows 10 PC in 2023.

2. What is Windows Photo Viewer?

Windows Photo Viewer is a built-in image viewer for Windows operating systems. It allows users to open and view various image formats with ease. It was widely used in earlier Windows versions, such as Windows 7 and Windows 8. However, in Windows 10, Microsoft phased out Windows Photo Viewer and replaced it with the Photos app.

3. Why Restore Windows Photo Viewer?

There are several reasons why you might want to restore Windows Photo Viewer on your Windows 10 PC:

• Simplicity: Windows Photo Viewer is straightforward and easy to use.
• Familiarity: Many users prefer the old interface, as it’s what they’ve been using for years.
• Quick Loading: Windows Photo Viewer tends to open images faster than the Photos app.
• No Online Features: Unlike the Photos app, it doesn’t have cloud-based features that some users find intrusive.

Now, let’s dive into the methods to restore Windows Photo Viewer.

4. Method 1: Using Default Programs Settings

To start, try restoring Windows Photo Viewer through Windows’ default program settings:

1. Open the “Settings” menu by pressing “Windows + I.”
2. Navigate to “Apps,” then “Default Apps.”
3. Scroll down to “Photo viewer” and click on it.
4. Select “Windows Photo Viewer” from the list.

This method might work for some users, but if it doesn’t, there are alternative methods to explore.

5. Method 2: Registry Editor

The Windows Registry holds critical system settings, and you can use it to restore Windows Photo Viewer:

1. Press “Windows + R” to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to “HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\photoviewer.dll\shell\open\command.”
4. Double-click on the “Default” entry and change its value data to “%SystemRoot%\System32\rundll32.exe “%ProgramFiles%\Windows Photo Viewer\PhotoViewer.dll”, ImageView_Fullscreen %1.”

Remember to proceed with caution in the Registry Editor, as making incorrect changes can affect your system.

6. Method 3: Command Prompt

The Command Prompt can also help you restore Windows Photo Viewer:

1. Search for “cmd” in the Windows search bar.
2. Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”
3. Enter the following command and press Enter: “REG ADD HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts.jpg /v OpenWithList /t REG_NONE /f”
4. After that, input this command and press Enter: “REG ADD HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts.jpg\OpenWithProgids /v photoviewer.dll /t REG_NONE /f”

This method might work for specific image file extensions like “.jpg.” Repeat it for other formats if necessary.

7. Method 4: Third-party Software

If you find the above methods complicated, consider using third-party software designed to restore Windows Photo Viewer. Programs like “Restore Windows Photo Viewer” can do the job for you.

8. Method 5: Windows Update

Sometimes, Windows updates can interfere with the default settings. Ensure your Windows 10 is up to date. Go to “Settings” > “Update & Security” > “Windows Update” and click on “Check for updates.”

9. Method 6: Reinstalling Windows Photo Viewer

Try reinstalling Windows Photo Viewer via PowerShell:

1. Open PowerShell as an administrator (search “PowerShell” in the Windows search bar, right-click, and choose “Run as administrator”).
2. Copy and paste the following command and hit Enter: “Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.Windows.Photos | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}”

This command reinstalls the Photos app, which might, in turn, restore Windows Photo Viewer.

10. Method 7: Using a System Restore Point

If you had Windows Photo Viewer before and lost it due to system changes, you can try using a System Restore Point to roll back your system to a previous state when it was still available.

11. Method 8: Resetting Default Apps

Sometimes, resetting the default apps can bring back Windows Photo Viewer:

1. Go to “Settings” > “Apps” > “Default Apps.”
2. Scroll down and click on “Reset” under “Reset to the Microsoft recommended defaults.”

This can revert your default image viewer to Windows Photo Viewer.

12. Method 9: Using PowerShell

Open PowerShell as an administrator and run the following command to make Windows Photo Viewer the default image viewer:

Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppX4hxtad77fbk3jkkeerkrm0ze94wjf3s9" -Name "ApplicationName" -Value "PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"

Remember to back up your system or create a restore point before making any changes in PowerShell.

13. Method 10: Modifying the Windows Registry

Editing the Windows Registry can help you restore Windows Photo Viewer:

1. Open the Registry Editor as described in Method 2.
2. Navigate to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\photoviewer.dll.”
3. In the right pane, double-click on “Default” and set the value data to the Windows Photo Viewer path.

14. Method 11: Using DISM and SFC Scans

Sometimes, system file corruption can cause issues. Run a DISM (Deployment Image Service and Management Tool) scan followed by an SFC (System File Checker) scan to fix any problems.

To run DISM, open Command Prompt as an administrator and execute:

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Then, run SFC with this command

:

sfc /scannow

This should help restore Windows Photo Viewer if the problem was related to corrupted system files.

15. FAQs

16. Conclusion

Windows Photo Viewer might have been phased out, but with these 11 methods, you can restore it on your Windows 10 PC in 2023. Whether you prefer its simplicity or you’re looking for faster image loading, these solutions cover a range of technical expertise levels.

Choose the method that suits your needs and always exercise caution when making system changes. Windows Photo Viewer is making a comeback, and it’s up to you to decide whether it’s the right image viewer for your Windows 10 PC.