If the standard capabilities of your OS are enough for you, then you do not need to download a program for viewing photos on Windows 10. If you are not very happy with what you have, then you can always expand it. For this, there are solutions from other developers and software manufacturers. On this page we post a universal tool for working with pictures. It will allow you not only to view, but also to carry out minor editing. Of course, it cannot be compared with, but with all this, it is also free.
How to view photos on a computer
Microsoft clearly conducted a user survey because after XP it finally realized that the viewer function is important to all users. And with the advent of tablet computers, as well as laptops, this issue has become even more acute, because now the popularity of such software has increased significantly. We have collected all the options for how you can open JPG, PNG and other graphics:
- Use standard PC capabilities;
- Install additional software;
- Take advantage of online tools;
All three options have the right to exist, but only the second - additional software - is optimal. The fact is that in 99% of cases standard features are simply not enough. Think differently? Then let's do a simple test. Try to open 5 photos at once and it is convenient to navigate between them and switch between them. And if these are files from different folders? You probably won't succeed or we have a different understanding of the term "convenient". Therefore, we suggest that you focus on the second option.
Option number 3 - with online funds, is good for everyone, except for its dependence on Internet access. Imagine that you have broken Google Chrome or disconnected the Internet, what will you do next? But such situations occur almost every day. Therefore, we recommend downloading the viewer for Windows 10. It is suitable for both ordinary photos and various pictures and complex graphics. It must be bitmap. Vector is not supported, but basic editing functions are supported:
- Change of size;
- Overlay watermark;
- Other;
Thanks to this, the product received the nickname editor, although it is essentially a viewer. We recommend using only the Russian distribution kit, because due to additional functions, the English version turned out to be somewhat overloaded, which is unlikely to be convenient for you, even despite the fact that the software is distributed free of charge.
In Windows 7, I'm used to opening photos and pictures through the standard “ Windows Photo Viewer”. After I reinstalled the operating system on my computer to Windows 10I was unpleasantly surprised. The fact is that in Windows 10 all images are opened by default through an application called “ Photos”. Somehow I didn't like it right away, and I wanted to change it to a classic image viewer.
But after I right-clicked on the photo and selected the "Open with" option in the context menu, it turned out that the standard " Windows Photo Viewers" there is no : 
In the control panel, in the program parameters by default, it was also missing: 
In order to return the ability to open images through standard Windows Photo Viewer it is necessary to add some missing parameters to the registry in Windows 10.
To do this, download the ready-made registry file. Unpack the downloaded archive and run the registry file by double-clicking: 
A window will appear with a warning - click in it “ Yes”:
Then a message will appear that the changes were successfully made to the registry - click “ OK”:
That's all the solution to the problem!
Now we right-click on any photo on our computer - select “Open with” in the context menu. We see that now available to select “ Viewing Windows Photos”:
Now, if you wish, you can go to the system settings and select the default application for viewing photos - “View Windows Photos”: 
Windows 10 uses a store app called Photos... This app has much more viewing and image manipulation options than the classic app Viewing Windows Photoswhich was used by default in previous versions of Windows.
However, if you want to assign the classic viewer as the default program for viewing images, you may find that this application is missing from the Open With menu, program defaults, and assigning file associations to programs in classic control panel. As a result, you cannot set Windows Photo Viewer as the default image viewer.
You upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or Windows 8 / 8.1
There are no problems here. The ability to use the Windows Photo Viewer application remained in the graphical interface. You can choose it as your default application in Options (new control panel) or the Open With menu. You will find step-by-step instructions in our article.
You did a clean install of Windows 10
As you can see, the settings for the supported file types have special values \u200b\u200bthat correspond to subkeys in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT registry key. By default, these subkeys are also not in the registry and must be added.
After applying the registry file, the Windows Photo Viewer application will be available in the Open With image context menu
In the list of applications to open images
In the selection of default apps in system settings
In the file type association options in the classic control panel
Have you opened images on a PC? This requires a special viewer program. What software to use to make your work convenient? Is it possible to do with standard Windows tools. Consider which one to use the best photo viewer for Windows 10.
It turns out that recent versions of Windows have a Photos app. It opens photos, creates albums, edits pictures.
Older OS versions used the Image Viewer application. Install it in addition to the existing "Photos" utility. Let's take a look at how to activate the classic app.
How to enable the standard photo viewer in Windows 10
This is done in two ways:
- Using the "Registry Editor";
- Alternative way.
Method number 1
In Windows 10, the standard photo viewer is activated using registry settings. Press "Win + R", then write the command "regedit".
Find the _LOCAL-MACHINE branch. Further, as in the screenshot.
The formats that will open by default are written here. I have it "TIF" and "TIFF". How do I add the rest of the extensions so that all graphic formats open by default?
Right-click on an empty space in the right window, create a string parameter.
Next, we write the name and value. As in the screenshot.
We do the same for the rest of the formats.
Another way
If you don't know much about OS settings, use the WinAero Tweaker app. Download the archive at: https://winaero.com/request.php?1796... Installation is simple and will not cause difficulties even for novice users.
After opening, on the left we find the item "Classic Apps". Select "Photo Viewer", click "Activate".
The result will be as in the above method.
Free photo viewer for Windows 10
In addition to developments from Microsoft, use third-party software. Consider the TOP 5 best free apps. Use them as an alternative to the standard viewer. In addition to viewing, they have functions: rotation, red-eye removal, resizing, converting, printing.
FastStone
Free program with an intuitive interface. The developers have added built-in tools to: remove "red eyes", edit the size and color, convert files.
The developers suggest using the regular or portable (no installation required) version. Program characteristics:
- Viewing photos;
- Editing digital photos;
- Batch processing;
- Slideshow creation;
XnView
Use XnView for free, non-commercial use. Supports 500 formats, allows you to convert files. Allows you to watch videos and listen to music. The interface is simple. There are many built-in tools.
Features::
- Supports 500 formats;
- Built-in editing functions;
- Using filters and effects;
- Screen capture function;
- File conversion in 70 different formats;
- Working with plugins.
IrfanView
Fast photo viewer for Windows 10. It consumes a minimum of OS resources. The developers suggest installing a regular or portable version.
Install additional languages \u200b\u200bfor Russification. Go to: http://www.irfanview.net/lang/irfanview_lang_russian.exe to download the installer. Then launch it and select the program folder during installation. Then the installer will do everything on its own.
The Russified version will start.
What the program can do:
- Video and audio playback;
- Working with text formats;
- Batch rename of files;
- Side show creation;
- Working with plugins that help extend functionality.
Ashampoo photo
This handy Windows 10 photo viewer lets you view, edit and convert your files.
In the free version, in order to use the program without restrictions, when you first start, write down the email address. To confirm registration, follow the link that will come to your mail.
Capabilities:
- Creation of virtual albums;
- Writing to disk;
- Creation of postcards;
- Built-in player.
Honeyview
Photo viewer for Windows 10, you can download it for free at: https://www.bandisoft.com/honeyview ... Has a simple interface. Its main feature is high speed of work.
Features::
- Viewing photos in archives;
- Slideshow mode;
- Photo bookmarks;
- GPS support for photos.
Conclusion
The TOP5 viewers reviewed are the best in this class of programs. Which one to work with depends on your personal preference. Use the software described above if the standard photo viewer in Windows 10 does not suit you.
Many users, when familiarizing themselves with the new OS from Microsoft, found that Windows 10 photos are viewed through the Photos program. But in Windows 8, Microsoft offered a choice between the photo viewer and the Photos tool.
Why did the developers relieve users of the ability to view common graphic formats through a more convenient and functional program?
Many Windows 10 users are starting to look for third-party products that are more suitable for them, knowing that Photo Viewer only works with TIFF and TIF formats. Therefore, today we will consider how to add this tool to the "Default Applications" section and the "Open with" dialog, where the program is initially missing.
Let's use the registry editor
More advanced users try to specify Photo Viewer as an app to open pixelated images through the Program Mapping tool, but again, the app is only available for the above TIFF / TIF. Can the photo viewer be specified as a viewer for other image formats as well? Naturally, it's easy to do.
1. Call the registry editor by executing the "regedit" command in the search line or in the text line of the "Win + R" command interpreter.
2. Go to HKLM / SOFTWARE / Microsoft / Windows Photo Viewer / Capabilities / FileAssociations.
Here you will see a couple of options with the name of the image formats that are allowed to open with the photo viewer.
3. Using the right button, call the context menu of the free part of the space of the right frame of the window and select the creation of a string parameter (REG_SZ).
4. Enter its name as ".jpeg", and set the value to "PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff".
We carry out all the same operations for the other formats (.jpg, .gif, .png) that you want to open through a more convenient image visualization tool.
5. We call "Parameters" by means of Win + i.
6. Go to "System" → "Default Applications".
8. In the left frame with the list of programs, click on "Photo viewer", then on the icon with the inscription: "Select default values \u200b\u200bfor the program."
9. Check the boxes next to the required formats.
11. We call the context menu item "Open with" on one of the selected image formats.
Windows Photo Viewer appears.
12. Specify the tool as the default image opening tool.
Alternative method
For beginners who do not want to dig into the wilds of the Windows 10 settings repository, it is recommended to use the WinAero Tweaker utility.
- After launching the application, we move to the last item of the available tweaks "Windows Accessories".
- Click on the "Activate Windows Photo Viewer" button.
The result will be the same in both cases.