Windows Photo Viewer, a beloved feature since Windows XP, was seemingly left behind when Microsoft introduced Windows 11. However, for those who prefer its simplicity and speed over the new Photos app, there’s good news: you can still restore Windows Photo Viewer and set it as your default image viewer in Windows 11. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.
Why Restore Windows Photo Viewer?
While the new Photos app in Windows 11 offers more features, many users find it slower and less intuitive than the classic Windows Photo Viewer. The older version is known for its quick loading times and straightforward interface, making it a preferred choice for those who want a no-frills image viewing experience.
Method 1: Using Registry Editor
Step 1: Before making any changes to your registry, it’s crucial to create a backup. Press Windows key + R, type “regedit”, and press Enter. In Registry Editor, click on File > Export and save a backup of your registry.
Step 2: Open Notepad and copy the following registry code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Photo Viewer\Capabilities\FileAssociations]
".jpg"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".jpeg"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".png"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".bmp"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".gif"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".tiff"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".tif"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
Step 3: Save the Notepad file with a .reg extension (e.g., “restore_photo_viewer.reg”). Make sure to select “All Files” in the “Save as type” dropdown.
Step 4: Double-click the saved .reg file and confirm the prompts to add the information to your registry.
Method 2: Using Group Policy Editor (for Windows 11 Pro users)
Step 1: Press Windows key + R, type “gpedit.msc”, and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
Step 2: Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer.
Step 3: Find and double-click on “Specify size limit for large wave files”.
Step 4: Select “Enabled” and set the wave size limit to 0. Click Apply and then OK.
Setting Windows Photo Viewer as Default
After restoring Windows Photo Viewer, you’ll want to set it as your default image viewer:
Step 1: Right-click on any image file and select “Open with” > “Choose another app”.
Step 2: Scroll down and click on “More apps” if you don’t see Windows Photo Viewer in the list.
Step 3: Select “Windows Photo Viewer” from the list.
Step 4: Check the box next to “Always use this app to open .jpg files” (or whichever file type you’re setting).
Step 5: Click “OK” to confirm your choice.
Repeat this process for other image file types (.png, .gif, etc.) if desired.
Troubleshooting
If you don’t see Windows Photo Viewer in the “Open with” list, you may need to add it manually:
Step 1: Click on “Look for another app on this PC” at the bottom of the “Open with” window.
Step 2: Navigate to C:\Program Files\Windows Photo Viewer.
Step 3: Select “PhotoViewer.dll” and click “Open”.
With these steps, you’ve successfully restored the classic Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 11 and set it as your default image viewer. Enjoy the familiar, speedy experience of browsing your photos once again!