windows photo viewer can't open this picture because either photo viewer doesn't support this file format or you don't have the latest updates to photo viewer"

Anonymous
2010-02-16T19:42:32+00:00

this is message I have received for nearly every photo in my pictures folder.  Just updated to Windows 7 --- pictures opened up just fine in XP pro AND in VISTA home.....   what gives......

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MODERATOR NOTE 9 JULY 2018

This 8 1/2 year old thread has long since run its course and is now locked.

The original question was properly answered on 17 February 2010, the day after it was asked.

More information:

  • There is no "update" for Windows Photo Viewer.  Windows Photo Viewer is part of the Windows operating system.  If any of its component files need updating, they will be updated if you use Windows Update.
  • If you have an image file type other than .jpg and .jpeg, .tif and .tiff, .png, .gif, .bmp and .dib, .wdp, ask your favorite search engine <<how do I open xxx files >>
  • If you have a version of Windows other than Windows 7, you should ask your question in the appropriate section of Microsoft Community.
  • If you have Windows 10 and want to use Windows Photo Viewer to view image files instead of the Windows 10 Photo app, you can find instructions for doing so by asking your favorite search engine.  One such site is https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/14312-restore-windows-photo-viewer-windows-10-a.html
  • If none of the information in the Answer or above helps you, please read the following articles and ask your own new question.  Please provide details about your system and your particular problem and please ask your question in the appropriate section of Microsoft Community.

How to begin your own, new thread about your computer & your problem

How to ask a question

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Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Music, photos, and video

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2010-02-17T15:02:33+00:00

Hi Arielnancy,

As the sentence suggests, the picture file format may not be supported or you do not have the latest updates to photo viewer.

Windows Photo Viewer can only view .jpg and .jpeg, .tif and .tiff, .png, .gif, .bmp and .dib, .wdp file types.

For more information refer this link: Understanding picture file types**http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Understanding-picture-file-types**

You may follow the steps below:

1.      Right click on any one of the picture and select Open With and click Change Default program.

2.      Now select the Windows Photo Viewer in the list.

3.      Now put a check mar for “Always use a selected program to open this kind of file”.

You may also try opening the same picture using Paint and check if you are able to open without any issues.

Check if you don't have file extensions displayed by default, right-click on an offending image and look at the file's name.

If you have not set it as default program to open images, do this :

Change which programs Windows uses by default

A default program is the program that Windows uses when you open a particular type of file, such as a music file, an image, or a webpage. For example, if you have more than one web browser installed on your computer, you can choose one of them to be the default browser.

Open Default Programs by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Default Programs.

In Default Programs, you can:

·         Set your default programs. Use this option to choose which programs you want Windows to use by default. If you want to use your Windows Live Photo Gallery or Photo Gallery to open all photos, use this option.

Refer to this link: **http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Change-which-programs-Windows-uses-by-default**

 Refer the link for similar issue: **http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7pictures/thread/2da99b17-8bd1-48a7-9ab9-160e4b3bac2c**

Thanks and Regards:

Swathi B - Microsoft Support. Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-03-31T20:56:45+00:00

    When I go to my usb port then open it and I see a picture that I want to open,I click as you said "open with>deufalt>windows photo viewer" and it shows me the same message "Windows photo viewer can't open this picture either because Photo Viewer doesn't support this file format,or you don't have the lastest updates to Photo Viewer." So where can I update that Photo Viewer to make it work?

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-02-13T15:25:47+00:00

    I have a similar problem. I have just changed my hard drive. i loaded windows 7 on this hard drive. I received this message when I tried to open pictures on my external hard drive:

    "Windows photo viewer can't open this picture because you don't have the correct permission to access the file location." I have tried taking ownership by doing the following:

    1. Right click on the picture
    2. Select Properties
    3. Go to security
    4. Go to advanced

    5 Choose ower tab

    1. If no owner appears, choose edit
    2. Pick myself as owner
    3. Apply
    4. Close all boxes

    Then I try and open the picture and I get the same message.

    When I followed your steps, it had already selected Photo Viewer. Even when I choose apple program, the picture viewer will not open the picture.

    Any suggestions?

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-01-17T09:15:42+00:00

    I have been looking at pictures on several CDs from years ago and then I tried one from 2010-2011 and it said "no preview" in ArcSoft PhotoViewer and it would not open in the other viewing programs either.  It is in JPEG format and I am pretty sure I have looked at these before.  I am using Windows 7 which is the same computer I used to burn the CDs.  The thumbnails for all of the pictures (C and D drives included) are all generic program pictures.  I even had one CD that said "no preview" except for one picture which showed up.  I do not know what is on that CD, so I do not know if I have the originals.  I tried changing file name too.  Thank you for the help!  GOD bless<><

    Update:  I think the thumbnails are back on the main drives.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-01-01T16:34:46+00:00

    Could you say a bit more about  "or you don't have the latest updates to photo viewer".  Thanks Marcia

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