How to Restore Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 10/11

Are you tired of the default Windows Photo Viewer and want to restore the classic Windows Photo Viewer on your Windows 10 or 11 computer? Don't worry, we've got you covered! By following a few simple steps, you can easily bring back the familiar interface of Windows Photo Viewer.

How to Restore Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 10/11

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Open Notepad:

To begin the process, open the Run dialog by pressing Win + R and type "notepad" into the dialog box. Then press Enter.

2. Copy and Paste Script:

Copy the following script:

```

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\photoviewer.dll]

"NoOpenWith"=""

```

Next, paste the script into the Notepad file.

3. Save the File:

Save the file to your preferred location on your drive with a recognizable name, such as "ActivateWindowsPhotoViewer.reg".

4. Execute the Script:

Open File Explorer, navigate to where you saved "ActivateWindowsPhotoViewer.reg", and double-click on it.

Click "Yes" when prompted to apply the changes.

5. Apply Changes:

Press Win + X and choose Task Manager from the menu.

In Task Manager, locate "Windows Explorer", right-click it, and select "Restart".

6. Disabling Windows Photo Viewer (Optional):

If at any point you wish to disable Windows Photo Viewer again, follow these additional steps:

Make sure to undo the changes made earlier in the Windows Registry by creating a backup.

Double-click on "DeactivateWindowsPhotoViewer.reg" to execute the script.

Restart Windows Explorer for changes to take effect.

One Photo Viewer

About How to Restore Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 10/11, If you're looking for an alternative to both Windows Photo Viewer and Windows Photos, consider trying out One Photo Viewer. It offers a fast, free, and clean interface with additional features such as support for RAW formats, HEIC and WEBP animation, slideshow functionality from folders or loaded images, custom keyboard shortcuts, and a color correction tool.

By following these simple steps or exploring alternative photo viewer options like One Photo Viewer, you can enhance your photo viewing experience on your Windows 10/11 computer!

Remember that modifying system settings comes with some level of risk; therefore, it's important to proceed with caution when making changes to your system's registry.

We hope this guide has been helpful in restoring or enhancing your photo viewing experience on your Windows device!

Now, let's dive deeper into the process of restoring the classic Windows Photo Viewer on your Windows 10 or 11 computer. Windows 10 and 11 come with the Photos app as the default photo viewer, which has a modern interface and offers various features. However, some users may prefer the simplicity and familiarity of the classic Windows Photo Viewer. Fortunately, with a few simple steps, you can bring back the classic Windows Photo Viewer and make it the default photo viewer on your system.

Why Restore Windows Photo Viewer?

While the Photos app in Windows 10/11 offers a range of features for viewing and editing images, some users may find the interface overwhelming or prefer the simpler layout of the classic Windows Photo Viewer. Additionally, the classic Windows Photo Viewer may be preferred for its quick responsiveness and ease of use, especially for users who primarily use their computer for viewing and organizing photos.

Restoring Windows Photo Viewer can also be beneficial for users who have a workflow that is optimized for the classic interface, as it can improve efficiency and streamline the photo viewing experience. Additionally, for users who frequently work with image files and prefer a lightweight and straightforward photo viewer, restoring Windows Photo Viewer can be a preferred choice.

Step-by-Step Guide to Restore Windows Photo Viewer:

1. Open Notepad:

To begin the process of restoring Windows Photo Viewer, open the Run dialog by pressing Win + R on your keyboard. In the Run dialog, type "notepad" and press Enter. This will open the Notepad application, which you will use to create a script for restoring Windows Photo Viewer.

2. Copy and Paste Script:

Once Notepad is open, copy the following script:

```

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\photoviewer.dll]

"NoOpenWith"=""

```

Next, paste the copied script into the Notepad file.

3. Save the File:

After pasting the script into Notepad, you need to save the file with a recognizable name and the .reg extension. To do this, click on File in the top-left corner of Notepad, then select Save As. Choose your preferred location on your drive and enter a name for the file, ensuring that it has the .reg extension (e.g., "ActivateWindowsPhotoViewer.reg").

4. Execute the Script:

Navigate to the location where you saved "ActivateWindowsPhotoViewer.reg" in File Explorer. Double-click on the file to execute the script. When prompted to confirm the action, click "Yes" to apply the changes to the Windows Registry.

5. Apply Changes:

After executing the script, press Win + X on your keyboard and choose Task Manager from the menu. In Task Manager, locate "Windows Explorer" in the list of processes, right-click it, and select "Restart". This will refresh the Windows Explorer process to apply the changes made to the Windows Registry.

6. Disabling Windows Photo Viewer (Optional):

If at any point you wish to disable Windows Photo Viewer and revert to the default Photos app, follow these additional steps:

Before making any changes, ensure to create a backup of the Windows Registry to revert the changes if needed in the future.

Create a new Notepad file and paste the following script:

```

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\photoviewer.dll]

```

Save the file with a recognizable name and the .reg extension, such as "DeactivateWindowsPhotoViewer.reg".

Double-click on "DeactivateWindowsPhotoViewer.reg" to execute the script and apply the changes to the Windows Registry.

Restart Windows Explorer for the changes to take effect.

By following these steps, you can easily restore the classic Windows Photo Viewer on your Windows 10/11 computer. This will make Windows Photo Viewer the default application for viewing images, providing you with a familiar and simple interface for managing your photos.

Alternative Photo Viewer Option: One Photo Viewer

In addition to restoring the classic Windows Photo Viewer, there are alternative photo viewer options that offer additional features and a modern interface for viewing and managing images. One such alternative is One Photo Viewer, which provides a fast, free, and clean interface with a range of features to enhance the photo viewing experience.

Key features of One Photo Viewer include:

Support for RAW formats: One Photo Viewer supports a wide range of RAW image formats, allowing photographers and enthusiasts to view and manage their RAW files with ease.

HEIC and WEBP animation support: The application is capable of displaying HEIC and WEBP animations, providing compatibility for modern image formats.

Slideshow functionality: One Photo Viewer offers slideshow functionality, allowing users to view images in a slideshow format from folders or loaded images.

Custom keyboard shortcuts: Users can customize keyboard shortcuts to streamline the navigation and management of images within the application.

Color correction tool: The color correction tool in One Photo Viewer enables users to adjust the color balance and enhance the visual quality of their images.

By exploring alternative photo viewer options like One Photo Viewer, users can further enhance their photo viewing experience on their Windows 10/11 computer. Whether you prefer the classic interface of Windows Photo Viewer or the additional features offered by alternative photo viewer applications, there are options available to cater to your specific preferences and workflow.

Considerations and Precautions:

When making changes to system settings, particularly the Windows Registry, it's important to proceed with caution and follow best practices to avoid potential issues with your system. Here are some considerations and precautions to keep in mind when restoring or modifying the photo viewer on your Windows 10/11 computer:

Create a backup: Before making any changes to the Windows Registry, it's advisable to create a backup of the registry settings. This will allow you to revert to the previous state if any issues arise after applying the changes.

Follow instructions accurately: When creating or executing scripts to modify the Windows Registry, ensure that you accurately follow the provided instructions to avoid errors or unintended consequences.

Understand the risks: Modifying system settings, including the Windows Registry, comes with a level of risk. It's important to understand the potential impact of the changes and proceed with caution.

Seek professional assistance if needed: If you are unfamiliar with modifying the Windows Registry or encounter any issues during the process, consider seeking assistance from a professional or experienced user to ensure the proper execution of the steps.

By being mindful of these considerations and taking necessary precautions, you can safely proceed with restoring the classic Windows Photo Viewer or exploring alternative photo viewer options on your Windows 10/11 computer.

In conclusion about How to Restore Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 10/11, whether you prefer the simplicity of the classic Windows Photo Viewer or seek additional features in an alternative photo viewer application, there are options available to cater to your specific preferences and enhance your photo viewing experience on Windows 10/11. By following the step-by-step guide provided and considering the alternative photo viewer option, you can customize your photo viewing experience to best suit your needs and workflow.

We hope this comprehensive guide has been helpful in restoring or enhancing your photo viewing experience on your Windows device. Remember to proceed with caution and consider the options available to find the best fit for your photo viewing preferences.