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
2010-02-16T02:21:05+00:00

New PC with Windows 7.  Photos taken before new PC either cannot be viewer, or can be viewed but are in the wrong folder with the wrong file names (i.e. picture of CAT is labeled as DOG)

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

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Anonymous
2010-02-17T00:12:23+00:00

Hi mmtap10,

This seems to be an issue with some corrupt system file. For now I would suggest you to follow the steps and link below to perform a System File Checker (SFC) scan and that should probably take care of the issue.

  1. Open an elevated command prompt. To do this, click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
  2. Type the following command, and then press ENTER:

sfc /scannow

The sfc /scannow command scans all protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with correct Microsoft versions.

**http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833**

Let us know if that fixes the issue or for further asssitance on the issue.

Varun J: MICROSOFT SUPPORT

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Anonymous
2014-09-06T05:07:28+00:00

In my case, when I plugged my phone into my desktop, it prompted me to update the software allowing it to communicate with my phone more effectively. Immediately after it finished updating was when I lost the ability to open images in the photo viewer.

To solve the issue, I went to Control Panel, then Uninstall a program, and then uninstalled the most recent program associated with my phone. It was easy since I knew exactly when it started acting up. Some of you may need to do some trial and error to find the issue.

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-08-15T12:13:58+00:00

    Hi, I have had the same issue, but have a simple solution (don't know whether for others the issue is more serious). When I double-click on the photo from Windows Explorer, the Viewer tries to preview it, and this is when I get the "need update/wrong file format" error message. But when I simply right-click on the photo and open it instead of preview it, it opens fine. Maybe doesn't get at the root of the prob for some, but worked for me.

    Think MS's support here has not been that great, to be honest. One solution, multiple reports that the solution doesn't work and no further comment from MS.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-08-15T17:49:13+00:00

    Hi, I have had the same issue, but have a simple solution (don't know whether for others the issue is more serious). When I double-click on the photo from Windows Explorer, the Viewer tries to preview it, and this is when I get the "need update/wrong file format" error message. But when I simply right-click on the photo and open it instead of preview it, it opens fine. Maybe doesn't get at the root of the prob for some, but worked for me.

    Think MS's support here has not been that great, to be honest. One solution, multiple reports that the solution doesn't work and no further comment from MS.

    I reported the same problem to MS. They will answer in the next 24 hours.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-08-17T01:26:29+00:00

    This solution did not help in any way.  I am having the same problem after trying ALL the  suggestions posted here.  I really think Microsoft needs to address this problem in more detail, especially as there are so many people having the same issues.  This is a new computer and should NOT have ANY corrupt files.  I have had this issue since day one.

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