"We can't open this file" on JPG photos Windows 10

Ztruker said:

Try changing the default app for .jpg to Windows Photo Viewer.

You can right click on a .jpg and select Open with then select Chose another app .... Find and select Windows Photo Viewer.

Or, open Control Panel then Default Programs. Click on Set your default programs. Scroll down to Windows Photo Viewer, select it then click on Set this program as Default.

Or open Control Panel, click on Associate a file type or protocol with a program. Scroll down to .jpg. Select it then click on Change program.... Scroll down and select Windows Photo Viewer.

If any of them work, you can then try changing it back to Photos if you want.

Hi, I wanted to first express my appreciation for your detailed explanation, and thanks to that I was able to locate the application files. Unfortunately, I was unable to select Windows Photo Viewer as my default app. I tried both ways you suggested, the first being halted by the fact that Windows Photo Viewer was not an available application (I even searched on the Windows Store, to no avail). The second method I was able to find it's associated folders, but when I opened it the only application available was my wireless printer's control panel. I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong, as I can still open my previously saved pictures, but I am unable to open any files I attempt to save via scan. Is there any other methods you can suggest?

RomanF said:

When I try to open with Photos, it says "IMG_xxxxxxx.jpg We can't open this file."
When I try to open with Windows photo viewer it says "Windows photos 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 windows photo viewer"

Help pls.

I have the same issue, but i restored the files after i permentaly deleted them so is this a issue?

RomanF said:

I'm in a bit of a panic. I can't open 90% of my JPG photos. I have changed my default program to Photos, and downloaded a Reg Fix that seems to have helped others with the same issue. Still no change. When I go into the properties of a photo that cannot be displayed, all the values are there (Size of file, time taken)

I have uploaded the photos from my Nexus 6P a while back. Please help

Let me know if I can provide you with any other info!

Uninstall then reinstall the Photos app?

PERCABETHgaming:
When you say " i restored the files after i permentaly deleted" do you mean you undeleted them with some software ? If so, the restoration software may not have been able to restore them properly, and although you may find the file names have been restored, the files themselves may be corrupted. If any of your older ( ie. not deleted and then restored ) jpg's open without issue, then you would know that the restored files are indeed corrupted. However, if even the older files don't open properly then you can try to follow the advice given previously in this thread ( and also try re-associating only the "jpg" file type to default values as shown in this tutorial: Restore Default File Type Associations in Windows 10 ).

Good luck.

Winuser said:

I use Faststone Image viewer to view my photos. If you want to try it and see if it will allow you to view your photos. Request Rejected

I followed your suggestion and got the Freeware FastStone Image Viewer. It was easy to download and easy to use. The jpg files taken by a new camera would not open on my desktop using any of the photo apps I have. None of them worked. but FastStone Image Viewer worked like a charm.