Windows 10 Slideshow: How to View Photos

This guide shows you how to turn a folder of photos into an automatic, full-screen slideshow in Windows 10. You’ll learn the built-in methods using the Photos app and File Explorer, plus how to control speed, shuffle order, and loop playback. No extra software is needed.

What You’ll Need

A Windows 10 PC with the built-in Photos app (comes preinstalled).
A folder containing the images you want to view (JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF, etc.).
Optional: a keyboard or mouse to control playback.

Step-by-Step

Open the folder with your photos. Use File Explorer (Win + E) and navigate to the location of your images.
Select the photos you want in the slideshow. To include every image in the folder, press Ctrl + A. To pick specific photos, hold Ctrl and click each one. To select a contiguous range, click the first, hold Shift, and click the last.
Start the slideshow from File Explorer. With the photos selected, go to the Picture Tools tab at the top of the window (it appears only when images are selected). Click the Slideshow button in the ribbon. The slideshow will open in full screen.
Alternative: use the Photos app. Double-click any image to open it in the Photos app. Then click the … (ellipsis) button in the top-right corner and select Slideshow. This plays all photos in the current folder.
Control playback. Once the slideshow is running, use these keys:
- → or Space – next photo
- ← – previous photo
- Esc – exit slideshow
Adjust slideshow settings. In the Photos app, before starting, click the … button and choose Slideshow settings. Here you can set the Speed (Slow, Medium, Fast), enable Shuffle, and choose whether to include Narrate with camera (if you have a webcam).
Loop the slideshow. The Photos app slideshow loops automatically by default. If you want it to stop after the last photo, you’ll need to manually exit with Esc.
Use the lock screen slideshow (optional). Go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen. Under Background, choose Slideshow and add a folder. This shows a slideshow when your PC is locked.

Common Mistakes

Not selecting any photos. If you click Slideshow with no images selected, File Explorer may do nothing or start from the first image. Always select at least one.
Using the wrong button. The Slideshow button is under Picture Tools – it’s not in the main Home tab. Look for the tab that appears only when an image is selected.
Expecting the slideshow to include subfolders. The Photos app slideshow only shows images in the current folder, not subfolders. If you want subfolders included, move all images into one folder or use the lock screen slideshow which can include subfolders.
Changing speed while running. You cannot change speed or shuffle mid-slideshow. You must exit and restart with new settings.

Tips

To quickly start a slideshow from File Explorer, select the images and press Alt + P (this toggles the preview pane, not slideshow). The actual shortcut is not standard; use the ribbon button.
If you have many photos, use the Shuffle option to keep things interesting.
For a more cinematic experience, set the speed to Slow and use the Narrate with camera feature if you have a webcam – it adds a voice commentary (in English only).
You can also start a slideshow by right-clicking a folder in File Explorer and selecting Play slideshow – this plays all images in that folder.
To pause the slideshow, press Space (in the Photos app). Press again to resume.

Troubleshooting

Slideshow button is grayed out. This happens when no image is selected. Click on any image file first, then look for the button.
Slideshow doesn’t start. Make sure the Photos app is not corrupted. Try resetting it: go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find Photos, click Advanced options, then Reset. This will fix most issues.
Slideshow shows only one photo. Ensure you selected multiple images before clicking Slideshow. If you double-clicked a single image and used the ellipsis, it should still show all photos in that folder – but if the folder contains subfolders, they won’t be included.
Photos appear in wrong order. The Photos app sorts by date taken by default. To sort by name, open the folder in File Explorer, sort by Name, then select all and start the slideshow. The app respects the folder’s sort order.
Slideshow is too fast or too slow. Adjust the speed in Slideshow settings before starting. If you’re using File Explorer’s slideshow, it uses the Photos app’s settings, so change them there.
No sound or narration. The Narrate with camera feature requires a working microphone and the Photos app’s permission to use it. Check privacy settings: Settings > Privacy > Microphone and allow apps to access it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a slideshow as my desktop wallpaper?

Yes. Right-click the desktop, choose Personalize, then under Background select Slideshow and choose a folder. You can set the interval and shuffle option.

How do I make the slideshow loop continuously?

The Photos app slideshow loops automatically by default. If it doesn’t, check the Slideshow settings – there is no explicit loop toggle, but it should repeat indefinitely. If it stops after the last photo, try updating the Photos app from the Microsoft Store.

Can I play a slideshow on a second monitor?

Yes. Open the slideshow, then press Win + Shift + → to move the full-screen window to the other monitor. The slideshow will continue on that display.

Why does my slideshow skip some photos?

If the photos are in formats not supported by the Photos app (e.g., HEIC without codecs, or RAW files), they may be skipped. Convert them to JPG or PNG, or install the necessary codecs from the Microsoft Store.

Is there a keyboard shortcut to start a slideshow?

There is no dedicated shortcut in File Explorer. However, you can press F11 in the Photos app to enter full screen, then use the ellipsis menu to start the slideshow. Alternatively, you can create a shortcut to the Photos app with a command-line argument, but that’s more advanced.

Can I burn a slideshow to DVD?

Windows 10 does not include a built-in DVD burning feature for slideshows. You would need third-party software like Windows DVD Maker (not included) or other video editing tools. The built-in Photos app can create a video with music, but not directly to DVD.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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