How to Set Windows Photo Viewer as Default in Windows 10

Windows Photo Viewer has been a popular choice for users when it comes to accessing and viewing images. However, the age-old photo viewing application now has a new competitor in the market, which is the Photos app. The Windows 10 OS wants its users to switch to the Photos app, but some of the users still prefer to use the old one.

Top Methods to Restore Windows Photo Viewer to Windows 10

If you are looking for ways to restore Windows photo viewer for Windows 10, it is understandable as it supports multiple formats like BMP, JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, and so on.

Unfortunately, Microsoft has not made it easy to get it back in Windows 10. That being said, let’s have a look at the four methods that may help you get it back.

1. Transfer Windows Photo Viewer from Windows 7/ 8.1 to Windows 10

If you have Windows 10 after upgrading it from Windows 7 or 8, then this transfer is going to be easy. It is because you still have registry entries for Windows Photo Viewer on your computer.

It just takes a few steps to set up the program as your default photo app.

First, right-click on the JPEG, PNG or any image file.

Now, select open with and select Windows 10 Photo Viewer.

If you can’t find it, click on Choose another app from the Open with option itself.

Now, click on More app by scrolling down. Click on Look for another app on this PC.

Now, navigate to C:\Program Files\Windows Photo Viewer and select it. Make sure you check in the box saying Always use this app to open .png (any image file) files and OK.

It is the simplest method to follow if you wish to make use of Photo Viewer as it has no complicated steps to execute. Using this method will allow you to set it as the default application for viewing photos and pictures.

2. Download the Windows Photo Viewer

If you do not have the Photo Viewer files on your PC, then downloading it is the best option. To start with, to download the .zip file of the application, click here.

Then, extract the downloaded file and double-click on the only file present in the folder. Click on the Run option to open the file.

Then, a registry editor dialog box will appear on the screen. Click on Yes.

After you have performed the following actions, the program will get installed in your PC. To make it default, you can further follow the first method stated in the article.

3. Setting Windows Photo Viewer Directly with Windows 10

To set Windows Photo Viewer as your default app, even if you have a clean installation of Windows 10, use the provision of a registry tweak. Photo Viewer still exists on your PC but in .dll form, and it is not executable. You can make it enforceable by adding a new registry file.

Copy the following code (.dll file).

And paste it in a notepad.

Now, save this notepad file as the .reg format, as shown in the following image.

Go to the new registry entry file that you created in the Windows File Explorer and right-click on it.

Now, select Merge.

Hopefully, the file is registered, and now you should be able to set the program as your default app.

To check, right-click on any image and select Open with and click on Choose another app and you will see the Windows Photo Viewer as an option there.

If you still don’t find it, click on More apps and make sure to check in the box that says Always use this app to open .png (any image file) files, and click OK.

Transferring the program is a tedious method to execute. However, this could be the only way to follow if easier methods don’t work out.

4. Upgraded OS from Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 to Windows 10

It is the best and the easiest way to bring it back, albeit it does come with a specific condition. Users can use this method only if their Operating Systems have been upgraded to Windows 10 rather than being installed from scratch.

All you have to do is follow the path Settings > System > Default App and choose Windows Photo Viewer.

Under options, choose the Windows Photo Viewer and experience the change.

Conclusion

The photo viewer is a popular application to watch photos and pictures on a PC for many users. However, the advent of the Photos app has currently replaced it as the default photo viewing application.

It can be brought back into a picture if you refer to the above three methods. Selecting Windows Photo Viewer from the Default Apps section is only possible if you have upgraded the OS from Windows 7,8, or 8.1. If you have installed Windows 10 from scratch, the registry entry method is an option you can use. The choice of using the technique totally depends upon the interests and convenience of the user.

Also, check:

• How To Find And Change MAC Address In Windows 10
• A Simple Guide to Customize the Windows 10 Lock Screen
• How To Restore And Backup Registry in Windows 10?