How to Get Back the Classic Photo Viewer in Windows 10

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 Windows 10 introduced a new Photos app as the default image viewer, which offers modern features but might not suit everyone’s preferences. Many users miss the simplicity and familiarity of the classic Windows Photo Viewer found in earlier versions of Windows. While Microsoft no longer includes the classic Photo Viewer as a default option, you can still re-enable it with a few tweaks. This guide will walk you through the steps to restore and set the classic Windows Photo Viewer as your default image viewer in Windows 10.

Get back Classic Photo viewer in Windows 10

1. Restore Windows Photo Viewer Using the Registry Editor

Editing the Windows Registry can enable the classic Photo Viewer and set it as your default application for opening images.

  • Open Registry Editor:

    • Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Confirm any prompts to open the Registry Editor.

  • Create a Registry Backup:

    • Before making changes, it's a good idea to back up the registry. In Registry Editor, click “File” > “Export.” Choose a location, name your backup, and ensure “All” is selected under “Export range.” Click “Save.”

  • Add Registry Entries:

    • Navigate to the following path:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Photo Viewer\Capabilities\FileAssociations

      If the path doesn’t exist, create it by right-clicking on “Windows Photo Viewer” and selecting “New” > “Key.”

    • Right-click in the right pane and select “New” > “String Value.” Create the following entries, one for each file type you want to open with Photo Viewer:

      • .jpg with a value of PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Jpg
      • .jpeg with a value of PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Jpeg
      • .png with a value of PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Png
      • .bmp with a value of PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Bmp
      • .gif with a value of PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Gif

    • Navigate to:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Photo Viewer\Capabilities

      If it doesn’t exist, create it. Right-click on “Capabilities,” select “New” > “Key,” and name it “Capabilities.”

    • Create the following string values within the “Capabilities” key:

      • ApplicationName with a value of Windows Photo Viewer
      • ApplicationDescription with a value of Windows Photo Viewer
      • ApplicationVersion with a value of 1.0.0.0
      • FileAssociations with a value of PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Jpg and other file types you wish to associate

    • Close Registry Editor and restart your computer.

2. Set Windows Photo Viewer as Default

After enabling the classic Photo Viewer, set it as the default program for opening images.

  • Open Default Apps Settings:

    • Press Windows + I to open Settings. Go to “Apps” > “Default apps.”

  • Change Default Photo Viewer:

    • Scroll down and click “Choose default apps by file type.” Locate file types such as .jpg, .jpeg, .png, etc.

  • Set Photo Viewer:

    • Click on the current default app for each file type and select “Windows Photo Viewer” from the list.

3. Use a Command Prompt Script (Alternative Method)

An alternative method involves using a command prompt script to re-enable Windows Photo Viewer.

  • Open Notepad:

    • Press Windows + R, type notepad, and press Enter.

  • Enter Script Code:

    • Copy and paste the following code into Notepad:


      Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.jpg\shell\OpenWithPhotoViewer]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.jpg\shell\OpenWithPhotoViewer\Command]
@="\"%ProgramFiles%\\Windows Photo Viewer\\PhotoViewer.dll\" \"%1\""

  • Save the Script:

    • Save the file with a .reg extension, for example, RestorePhotoViewer.reg.

  • Merge Registry File:

    • Double-click the .reg file you created. Confirm any prompts to merge it into the registry.

  • Set Windows Photo Viewer as Default:

    • Follow the steps in “Set Windows Photo Viewer as Default” to complete the process.

4. Restore Using Third-Party Tools

Some third-party tools can simplify the process of re-enabling Windows Photo Viewer.

  • Download a Tool:

    • Search for reputable tools like “Restore Windows Photo Viewer” or “Win10 Photo Viewer” that can re-enable the classic Photo Viewer with minimal effort.

  • Install and Follow Instructions:

    • Follow the instructions provided by the tool to restore and set Windows Photo Viewer as the default image viewer.

5. Troubleshoot Issues

If you encounter problems with Windows Photo Viewer, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

  • Ensure Registry Changes Were Applied:

    • Recheck the registry entries to confirm they were added correctly.

  • Verify File Associations:

    • Ensure that the file associations have been set properly in the Default Apps settings.

  • Check for Updates:

    • Make sure your system is updated, as some updates might affect default apps and file associations.

Conclusion

Restoring the classic Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 10 can provide a familiar and user-friendly experience for managing images. By editing the Windows Registry, using command scripts, or employing third-party tools, you can successfully re-enable and set Windows Photo Viewer as your default application for viewing photos. Follow these steps carefully to ensure a smooth restoration process and enjoy the simplicity of the classic Photo Viewer on your modern Windows 10 system.