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
    2012-04-23T18:59:20+00:00

    Hello MagicalTradegy,

    Have you already attempted all of the troubleshooting in this thread? If so, I would suggest you start your own thread at the following link to get the attention of the community:

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/pictures

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-04-30T00:40:07+00:00

    I have did everything you told Arielnancy to do. All  I am trying to do is open up a pdf file so I can print out a certificate from Half Off Depot.  There is no way I can  get the Photo Viewer to work on this computer.  Do you have any sort of download that can be installed. There is so much I want to print and  it is so frustrating having a 6 month old computer that will not co-operate! Awaiting your reply. Thanks Susan Perry

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-04-30T00:43:05+00:00

    I totally understand. My computer is set to what Microsoft  says too and no way  will it work for Photo Viewer

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-05-15T19:53:46+00:00

    Gosh no. Microsoft is frustrating with its poor quality control. I had only just ironed out all the bugs with XP when Win7 came along and now there's a heap of problems and glitches.

    Image files are the worst. No matter what I do, including all the suggestions on this list, I can't open image files on my new laptop with Win7 but I can open them without problem on my old desktop with XP.   Files are jpegs from a Nikon D90 and a Canon G12. Only low res JPEG

    A Google search through independent software sellers promises to fix 'all the usual Microsoft mistakes' but at more cost.

    I'm now thinking it might be cheaper just to go Mac and be done with it. Heck, if Microsoft was building motor vehicles they'd be out of business in a heartbeat.

    Is there anything else I can try before I just give up and trash my Toshiba laptop and MS OS?

    Anything, even a wild guess....?

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