Users who upgraded from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10 might not know it, but Microsoft has stopped offering the Photo Viewer we’ve had for years. Those who have done a clean install of Windows 10, may have noticed that the Photo Viewer is missing and has been replaced with a modern Photo Viewer that looks a lot like the Edge browser.
What’s worse is that after a fresh install, there’s no option to open images with the native Image Viewer and an option that’s stuck with the modern Photos app unless an alternative viewer like Picasa is installed. Microsoft has not removed it completely, but is hidden from direct access. That’s why one won’t find it in Control Panel settings when switching default apps to open images.
Also, Photo Viewer files are DLLs and not EXEs, so they cannot be launched directly from Windows Explorer. We will have to adjust some registry files to access the viewer. So let’s see how that can be achieved.
Activate Windows Photo Viewer
For now, like I said, Windows 7 and 8 computers still have access to Photo Viewer. Only installed ones miss it. Thanks to Edwin, a senior member of TenForum, who pulled the registry file to get the Windows 10 Photo Viewer back.
Download the zipped registry file on your computer and extract it to a folder. Now all you need to do is run the files as administrator and enter the key into Windows. Click CORRECT to confirm that you want to add the registry key. Once that’s done, restart your Windows Explorer from the Task Manager for the changes to take effect.
Open Windows Photo Viewer and Set it as Default
Next time you want to open any image with image viewer, right click on it and select option Open with—> Other Programs. On the pop-up box, select the option More apps and you will see Windows Photo Viewer in the list. Now just select it and click ALRIGHT. If you want to set it as default app, repeat the steps, but this time check the option, Always use this app to open files.
Note: The same steps will be repeated to set Windows Photo Viewer as the default application for all image formats that you want to open with it.
When it’s time to move on
You never know when Microsoft might get rid of Windows Photo Viewer altogether. So when you decide it’s time to switch to the new Photos app once and for all, you can set it as your default app from Windows Settings—> Default apps.
Everything Windows 10
If you’ve recently upgraded to Windows 10, I recommend you check out all the articles we’ve covered about it. It will really help you during the migration. For any additional queries you can send me a message on our forum.
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
