How to Change the Default Photo Viewer in Windows 11 [Tutorial]

How to Change the Default Photo Viewer in Windows 11 [Tutorial]

If you yearn for the simpler days of Windows Photo Viewer, we'll show you how to get it back in Windows 11.

Issues addressed in this tutorial:
change default photo viewer windows 10
change default photo viewer windows 11
set default photo viewer windows 10
how to change default photo viewer in windows 10
how to change default photo viewer in windows 7
how to change default image viewer windows 10

If you upgrade a PC running Windows 7 or 8.1 to Windows 11 , Windows Photo Viewer will be available and you can set it as your default photo viewer if you want. However, if you perform a clean installation of Windows 10—or buy a PC with Windows 11 already on it—you can’t access Photo Viewer at all. The interesting thing is that Photo Viewer is still there. It’s just hidden and you’ll have to make a couple of Registry edits to have it show up. After you do that, you can then set it as your default photo viewer.

You may need to change the default programs associated with certain protocols and file extensions. Most of us end up changing the default Photo Viewer, browser, etc., to another program of our choice. If you are one of those, then this post will show you how to change the default Photo Viewer in Windows 11/10.

This tutorial will apply for computers, laptops, desktops, and tablets running the Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems (Home, Professional, Enterprise, Education) from all supported hardware manufactures, like Dell, HP, Acer, Asus, Toshiba, Lenovo, Alienware, Razer, MSI, Huawei , Microsoft Surface, and Samsung.

[wesiniraq]

Things like Jpg/jpeg aren't in the list of things to change; still trying to figure out how to change it for Windows 11 (versus 10 which worked easily)

[ComisarioLetlev]

If any of you are looking for how to set the default program for PNG and JPEG, what I did was the following:

I searched for the “Photos” program in Windows Search, right click on it, “Application Settings” and used “Repair” and “Reset”. What it did was put all the default values back, so now I could right click on an image and use the "Always open with this program" option when using the "Open with" function.

[scorpiolad]

I thought that since this was posted in 2022 it would work. You say go to system, apps then default apps and when I search that for files, it does not include jpg or gif or jpeg and think there are more missing. This did not solve my problem

[georgealibinisis]

a big f*k you to Microsoft for being an expert in making a simple job a tedious adventure - I hope EU competition committee takes notice.

[jeremygreen]

"Photos" does not appear in Windows 11 default apps.

[gordthor]

This is absolutely ridiculous. I simply want to have a default music app, default video app, default shouldn't have to set a plethora of file types, of which I don't even know WTF most of them are associated with. I don't want to use any Microsoft sh!t, because I despise their control freak crap, but clearly they made it very difficult to switch from their default control freak apps.

[TreesOnTheBeach]

The "more apps" button has disappeared in Windows 11. Apparently, Microsoft wants you to either use Microsoft Photos or an app from their store and nothing else.

[TheSonicFan]

Lol... jpg, png, etc don't show up here.

[cherish_xo]

Thank you!! For some reasons my setting changed on its own and I was puzzled as to why all j.peg images started to open on WPS. This solved they mystery for me❤

[happyhusband]

Horrible M$ way of disabling default apps. 2023 and still cannot simply assign all formats to one app. I'd want M$ Photos(!) to open pictures. Can not do it. So as a result, every file opens in another app. No way i'd go through manual process of assigning 100 formats individually. Not even on B.Gate$ birthday.

[remcat]

Hi - there are a gazillion file types in the settings. OMG - what to do?

[historyouuu]

To me Win 11 keep loosing default app for photos. never had this problem with windows 10.

[designs]

Thank you so very much. I subscribed 😀

[ChaleneF]

Thank you much for this video!!! I am back up and running!

[Nick]

To stop apps from running in the background in Windows 11 is one big mess, you have to go through them one by one.

[joybaishya]

how to revert to the original photo….if editing is done???

[janorzegwydra]

Is it possible to change taskbar smaller when I try to do it it's cuts off the date

[FredericBaudo]

Thanks for this vidéo.
These vicious Microsoft bastards did it again!!!
an easier way was initialy to right click on a picture and select "open with" option, and then choose "select another application".
In a fair OS, you would have the "one time" option AND "always" option, but NO...here you only have the one time option!!!
Pathétic microsoft...i return on Linux Debian ASAP!

[EDIT]: no.jpg file option in the applications parameters !!! hilarious!