Alex Ruben
How to Restore Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 10
In this guide, you’ll learn how to bring back the classic Windows Photo Viewer on your Windows 10 system using a straightforward registry edit. Microsoft replaced this beloved application with the new Photos app, which many users find slow and cluttered. Windows Photo Viewer, however, is still present in the system; it’s just hidden. By following the steps outlined below, you can restore this efficient, lightweight image viewer that opens images instantly without any lag or unnecessary features.
Before you begin, ensure you have administrative rights on your Windows 10 machine, as you’ll be making changes to the registry. The process will involve creating a registry file that will enable Windows Photo Viewer and setting it as your default image viewer.
Step 1: Create the Registry File
The first step is to open a text editor, such as Notepad, to create a registry file. Follow these instructions:
- Open Notepad.
- Copy and paste the following script into the Notepad window:
- Click on File in the menu bar and select Save As.
- Choose a location to save the file, such as your desktop.
- In the Save as type dropdown menu, select All Files.
- Name the file as RestorePhotoViewer.reg to ensure it is recognized as a registry file (the .reg extension is crucial).
- Click Save to create the registry file.
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Photo Viewer\Capabilities\FileAssociations]
".jpg"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Jpg"
".jpeg"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Jpeg"
".png"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Png"
".gif"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Gif"
".tiff"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
Step 2: Run the Registry File
Now that you have created the registry file, you need to add it to your system’s registry:
- Locate the RestorePhotoViewer.reg file on your desktop.
- Double-click on the file to run it.
- If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes to allow the changes.
- A warning message will appear asking if you want to add the information to the registry. Click Yes.
- You should see a confirmation message stating that the changes were successfully added. Click OK to finish this step.
Step 3: Set Windows Photo Viewer as Default
With Windows Photo Viewer restored, the next step is to set it as your default image viewer:
- Right-click any image file (such as a .jpg or .png).
- Select Open with and then Choose another app.
- If Windows Photo Viewer does not appear in the list, scroll down and click on More apps.
- Select Windows Photo Viewer.
- Check the box that says Always use this app to open .jpg files (or any applicable file type) and click OK.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Here are a few tips to make the process smoother:
- Ensure that your Windows 10 is updated; older versions may have different registry paths.
- If the Windows Photo Viewer does not appear after following these steps, double-check that the registry file was correctly created and executed.
- In case of issues, you can always backtrack by deleting the registry file you created.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully restored Windows Photo Viewer on your Windows 10 machine. This classic app allows you to view images quickly and efficiently, bypassing the slower performance of the Photos app. If you found this guide helpful, consider exploring more tutorials on enhancing your Windows experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reverse the changes made to the registry?
Yes, you can delete the registry entry by going back into the registry editor and removing the relevant keys if you wish to revert your changes.
What if I can’t find Windows Photo Viewer in the list of apps?
If Windows Photo Viewer does not show up, ensure that you have followed all previous steps correctly, especially the registry edit. You may also try restarting your computer.
Is Windows Photo Viewer available on Windows 11?
Windows Photo Viewer is not included by default in Windows 11, but similar steps can be followed to restore it if you are using Windows 10.