Win10 refuses to change the default photo viewer

West88 · 04 Dec 2018

I just did a fresh Win10 reinstall on Sunday and I always prefer to use the old Windows Photo Viewer from Vista and 7. But when I choose 'open with' then check 'always use this app' for a picture it opens that time correctly but continues to default using the Win10 Photos app on subsequent tries. I've also tried using the Default Programs options and when I choose a different option for photos, Windows Photo Viewer isn't listed as an option (I've tried changing via file format too).

I've always switched the default photo viewer for Win10 to Windows Photo Viewer in the past and I'm not sure why now it refuses to switch the default. Possibly there's a way to fix this through the registry.

Thanks in advance

dalchina · 04 Dec 2018

Hi, do you have any problems selecting defaults for any other file type, for example txt ?

Which Windows build are you using?
This can be really important, and most people don't mention it or include it in their specs.
Windows key + R, winver

Build 1803 had a bug related to setting defaults, corrected in a recent update. Please consult the News section where you can find a thread per update per build. Perhaps your problem relates to this.

Bastet · 04 Dec 2018

There's still a bug with 1809 where you can't choose the default app for all third party file types.
Microsft are aware of this & are working on a fix.

West88 · 04 Dec 2018

Thanks for the quick replies. I'm using Win 10 Pro 1809 (17763.134) but I've had no issues changing the default programs for other file types, photos seem to be the only issue so far.

Hopefully it's just a temporary bug and MS will fix it. I'll look at the news section.

Bree · 04 Dec 2018

West88 said:

Hopefully it's just a temporary bug and MS will fix it. I'll look at the news section.

The same bug existed in 1803. That was fixed in the most recent CU, but there wasn't an equivalent one for 1809. MS know the fix, expect it in the next CU.

Addresses an issue that prevents some users from setting Win32 program defaults for certain app and file type combinations using the Open with… command or Settings > Apps > Default apps.

Cumulative Update KB4467682 Windows 10 v1803 Build 17134.441 - Nov. 27 Windows Update - Windows 10 Forums

hello10 · 04 Dec 2018

For your reference: How to get Windows Photo Viewer working in Windows 10

Bree · 04 Dec 2018

hello10 said:

For your reference: How to get Windows Photo Viewer working in Windows 10

You know there's a TenForums tutorial you could have linked to?

Restore Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 10 | Tutorials

hello10 · 04 Dec 2018

Bree said:

You know there's a TenForums tutorial you could have linked to?

Restore Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 10 | Tutorials

Thanks for the info. Now, West88 would know, too.

Bree · 04 Dec 2018

hello10 said:

Thanks for the info. Now, West88 would know, too.

That was the intention

There's a TenForums tutorial for almost anything you can imagine (and some for things that you'd never have thought of)... 99% seem to be written by Brink...

Windows 10 Tutorial Index | Tutorials

Bree · 05 Dec 2018

Bree said:

The same bug existed in 1803. That was fixed in the most recent CU, but there wasn't an equivalent one for 1809. MS know the fix, expect it in the next CU.

@West88, an 1809 CU with the fix for this is out now...

Addresses an issue that prevents some users from setting Win32 program defaults for certain app and file type combinations using the Open with… command or Settings > Apps > Default apps.

Cumulative Update KB4469342 Windows 10 v1809 Build 17763.168 - Dec. 5 Windows Update - Windows 10 Forums