You might be wondering why you would need to learn how to restore and use Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 10. After all, it was retired a few years ago thanks to the redesigned Photos app. While it may seem like an app of the past, Windows Photo Viewer isn’t going away any time soon, which is no surprise given it’s so easy to use.
Though Windows Photo Viewer was the default photo app on Windows 7 and 8, Microsoft replaced it with its Universal Windows Platform app simply called Microsoft Photos, which is what you’re likely using if you’re currently running Windows 10. Although you can certainly stick with the Photos app, if you’re anything like us, you may find that Windows Photo Viewer is not only faster but that it makes it easier to view the photos you have stored in the local drives.
And yes, Photos’ cross-platform abilities are very forward-looking as well as convenient for anyone also using the best Windows tablet, but the app uses up a lot more memory than its predecessor, and in many ways is just not as easy to use as the older app. Not to mention, Photos is not the most reliable of apps, either – which you may well have already noticed if you’ve been using it!
The good news is, if you’re not happy with the Photos app, it’s completely possible to restore and use Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 10. And before you worry that it’s going to be an arduous process, we’re here to tell you it couldn’t be simpler. In fact, it’s as easy as knowing how to play DVDs in Windows 10, and you don’t even need to know how to start Windows 10 in Safe Mode. You’ll find you can get the job done in just a few steps.
Oh and if you’ve just purchased your new OS and need to install it first before you try to restore and use Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 10, you’ll find our guides on how to find your Windows 10 product key and how to activate Windows 10 super helpful in getting you all set up.
How to restore Windows Photo Viewer after upgrading from Windows 7 or 8
(Image credit: Microsoft)
If you have a computer that’s been upgraded to Windows 10 from either Windows 7 or 8, getting Windows Photo Viewer back is incredibly easy.
That’s because the app never went anywhere. Instead, what’s changed with the installation of Windows 10 (and Microsoft Photos with it), is which app is set as the default option for opening any photos. Fortunately, it doesn’t take very many steps to change the default app back to the Windows Photo Viewer.
(Image credit: Future)
1. Open the Settings app
You can easily find it on the Start Menu – it’s the icon just above the Power button – or by typing “Settings” into the search located on the taskbar.
(Image credit: Future)
With the Settings app open, click on the category labeled Apps.
(Image credit: Future)
2. Click on Default Apps
You’ll find the Default Apps selection listed among the options over to the left of the window.
When that opens, a list of app categories and the apps that each category of file defaults to will appear.
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(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
3. Select Windows Photo Viewer
In the dialog box that appears, find and double click Windows Photo Viewer to set it as your default photo app.
You should now have Windows Photo Viewer set as your default photo app. If you don’t see the Photo Viewer listed, then you need to follow the steps below.
How to restore Windows Photo Viewer from scratch in Windows 10
It gets a bit more complicated for those using a clean install of Windows 10. While the Windows Photo Viewer app is still lurking in the code, it’s inaccessible without a Registry hack.
While it does take a few more steps than those with an upgraded version of Windows 10, it won’t be long before you’re working in your favorite photo app.
(Image credit: Future)
1. Get the Registry file
First, download the Registry file hosted by BleepingComputer. Microsoft essentially hid the app by removing it from Windows’ registry.
This file will adjust the registry to let Windows 10 see that Windows Photo Viewer is still there. Just make sure to save the file to an easily accessible place like the Desktop or downloads folder.
(Image credit: Future)
2. Double click the registry file to run
You’ll run through a couple different prompts, asking if you want to continue. First, you’ll be prompted with a dialog box that asks if you want to make changes to the device, press “Yes.”
Then, a dialog box for the Registry Editor will pop asking if you want to continue. Press “Yes” again. You’ll then get a message saying it was successfully added to the registry. Click “Ok.”
At this point, the OS’ registry has been updated and Windows Photo Viewer has essentially been unlocked. All that is left to do is adjust some settings to be able to use the app. Unfortunately, you can’t just set the default app to Windows Photo Viewer the way users that upgraded can.
(Image credit: Future)
3. Tweak settings
To adjust settings for a photo, right-click on a picture that you want to open and hover over “Open With.”
You’ll see a menu expand to the side showing other apps that can open the file. At the bottom, you’ll see the option, “Choose another app,” which you’ll click on.
(Image credit: Future)
4. Select Windows Photo Viewer app
When the new dialog box opens, scroll to the bottom where it will say “More Apps” and click to expand the available selections.
Here, you’ll find the Windows Photo Viewer app.
(Image credit: Future)
5. Set file type to default to Windows Photos Viewer
If you want all photos of that file type to be opened by Windows Photo Viewer, check the box next to “Always use this app to open [extension] files.” If you’re trying to open a JPEG, for instance, the text will read “Always use this app to open .jpeg files.”
6. Confirm
Press “OK” to finalize your selection.
You’ll have to repeat Steps 3 through 5 for each file type for which you want to use the Photo Viewer as the default photo app.
Why choose Windows Photo Viewer over Microsoft Photos?
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(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Microsoft’s new Photos app has come quite a long way since it first launched with Windows 10, incorporating some of the features it initially didn’t have but Windows Photo Viewer had, like a right-click menu.
But it’s still a resource hog in comparison to its predecessor. If you want to be able to quickly load and scroll through a bunch of photos without taxing your computer, Windows Photo Viewer is the better choice.
Photo Viewer’s UI is also a bit more straightforward since it’s mostly centered on the bottom. The Photos app, in comparison, places most of its menus and buttons across the top, with its “Next” and “Previous” buttons pushed to the edge of the screen.
Michelle Rae Uy
Buying Guides Editor
Michelle Rae Uy is the Buying Guides Editor here at TechRadar. She’s a Los Angeles-based tech, travel and lifestyle writer covering a wide range of topics, from computing to the latest in green commutes to the best hiking trails. She’s an ambivert who enjoys communing with nature and traveling for months at a time just as much as watching movies and playing sim games at home. That also means that she has a lot more avenues to explore in terms of understanding how tech can improve the different aspects of our lives.