How to Restore Windows Photo Viewer (Step-by-Step)

Windows Photo Viewer, the classic image viewer from Windows 7 and 8, is still present in Windows 10 and 11 but hidden. This guide shows you how to re-enable it via the Registry Editor, so you can use the familiar, fast, and simple viewer for your photos. You’ll need administrator access to your PC, and you should back up your registry before making changes.

What You’ll Need

• A PC running Windows 10 or Windows 11 (the method works on both).
• Administrator account privileges.
• Access to the Registry Editor (regedit).

Step-by-Step

1. Open Registry Editor. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog. Type regedit and press Enter. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes.
2. Back up your registry (recommended). In Registry Editor, click File > Export. Choose a location, name the file (e.g., registry-backup.reg), and click Save. This lets you restore your settings if anything goes wrong.
3. Navigate to the Photo Viewer key. In the left pane, expand the folders to reach this path:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Photo Viewer\Capabilities\FileAssociations
   If the FileAssociations folder doesn’t exist, you may need to create it. Right-click on Capabilities, select New > Key, and name it FileAssociations.
4. Add string values for image file types. With FileAssociations selected, right-click in the empty area on the right, choose New > String Value, and name it .jpg. Double-click the new value and set its data to PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff. Click OK.
5. Repeat for other image extensions. Add the same string value for each image type you want to open with Photo Viewer: .jpeg, .png, .gif, .bmp, .tiff, .tif, and .ico. For each, set the value data to PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff.
6. Close Registry Editor. Once you’ve added all the extensions, close the Registry Editor window.
7. Set Photo Viewer as the default app. Open Settings (Windows + I) > Apps > Default apps. Scroll down and click Choose defaults by file type. Find .jpg (and other extensions you added), click the current default (e.g., Photos), and select Windows Photo Viewer from the list. If it doesn’t appear immediately, try restarting your PC first.
8. Test it. Double-click an image file. It should now open in the classic Windows Photo Viewer. If not, try the troubleshooting steps below.

Common Mistakes

• Wrong registry path: Using HKEY_CURRENT_USER instead of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. The correct path is under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
• Typo in the value name: Forgetting the leading dot (e.g., jpg instead of .jpg). The extension must include the dot.
• Incorrect value data: Using PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Jpeg instead of PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff. The data must be exactly PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff for all extensions.
• Skipping the default app step: Adding the registry keys alone doesn’t change the default; you still need to select Photo Viewer in Settings.

Tips

• If you want Photo Viewer for all image types, add the common ones: .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, .bmp, .tiff, .tif, and .ico. You can also add .webp if you use it, but Photo Viewer may not support it well.
• You can also use the Open with context menu: right-click an image, choose Open with > Choose another app, select Windows Photo Viewer, and check the box for Always use this app to open .jpg files.
• If you prefer a more modern viewer but miss the speed, consider using the built-in Photos app with a lightweight theme; Photo Viewer is only available via this registry hack on Windows 10/11.

Troubleshooting

• Photo Viewer doesn’t appear in the default apps list. Make sure you’ve added the correct registry keys and that the value data is exactly PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff. Restart your PC after editing the registry to ensure the system picks up the changes.
• Photo Viewer opens but shows an error for some files. Windows Photo Viewer doesn’t support all modern formats (like HEIC or animated GIFs). For unsupported formats, use the Photos app or another viewer.
• Registry edits don’t stick. If you’re on a managed (work or school) PC, group policies may prevent changes. Check with your system administrator.
• Photo Viewer opens but is not the default. Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Choose defaults by file type and manually set each extension. If the option is grayed out, you may need to first set the default to Photos, then back to Photo Viewer.
• You get a “This app can’t run on your PC” error. This happens if you’re trying to run the 32-bit version on a 64-bit system, but the registry method should work on both. Ensure you’re using the correct registry path.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Windows Photo Viewer still available in Windows 10/11?

Yes, the executable (PhotoViewer.dll) is still present in Windows 10 and 11, but Microsoft hides it from the default apps list. The registry hack re-exposes it.

Will this work on Windows 11?

Yes, the same registry method works on Windows 11, though the Settings menu looks slightly different. The path and steps are identical.

Can I use Photo Viewer for HEIC or RAW files?

No, Windows Photo Viewer only supports the classic formats: JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, and ICO. For HEIC or RAW, you’ll need the Photos app or a dedicated viewer.

Is it safe to edit the registry?

Editing the registry is safe if you follow the steps exactly and back up first. Mistakes can cause system issues, so always export a backup before making changes.

Why does Photo Viewer not appear in “Open with” even after the registry fix?

Sometimes the system needs a restart to refresh the file associations. If it still doesn’t appear, double-check that the value data is exactly PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff and that you added the extension with the leading dot.

Can I remove the registry keys later?

Yes, simply delete the string values you added, or restore the registry backup you made. Then set your default app back to Photos in Settings.

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