Paint Shop Pro 7: Images Won't Open in PSP fom File Explorer

Since the Windows 10 Spring update my Paint Shop Pro 7.04 (PSP7) has never worked right. Ive gone through every compatibility setting and they dont fix the following problem:

When I click on an image file in File Explorer (all my image extensions are set to open with PSP and it used to work ok) PSP opens but the image doesn't load in PSP. The only way for me to open up an image file in PSP is through the file menu in PSP (Open or Browse).

Any suggestions anyone? Ive searched a lot and no one else seems to have this problem. Its a bit baffling.

Using Windows 10 Pro
All up to date

Did you try the compatibility checker on it since the update?

Right-click on the EXE and select Troubleshoot Compatibility.
See if the compatibility checker finds any incompatibilities now after the update.

Thanks both.

Yes I have tried the compatibility checker since the update. 'Test the Program' launches PSP and it behaves normally as expected. The problem of opening image files still remains.

I've used Windows since 3.1 and 100% certain image file extensions are set to open with PSP. I changed no settings. This abnormality only happpened after an update.

I have 2 other computers with Windows 10 and PSP and both are fully updated and they work ok opening image files so this issue is isolated to this one computer. It's only 2 years old with good hardware.

Anything I can try?

As for the fixes, there are no updates after 7.04. I believe it was a new version after that; around the time Corel took it over. I never got into the Corel PSP because it was too bloated and slow to load.

Debra said:

Since the Windows 10 Spring update my Paint Shop Pro 7.04 (PSP7) has never worked right ... When I click on an image file in File Explorer (all my image extensions are set to open with PSP and it used to work ok) PSP opens but the image doesn't load in PSP...

...Any suggestions anyone? Ive searched a lot and no one else seems to have this problem. Its a bit baffling.

No, I have PSP 7.04 and do not have this problem, I'm running it in Windows 10 version 1809, 17763.195 and have compatibility set for Windows XP.

What version of Windows do you have? Are you sure you're fully up to date? There was a known bug in setting default apps in both 1803 and 1809 that may be playing a part. This was fixed in builds 17134.441 and 17763.168 respectively. If your build is earlier than that you should install the latest cumulative update.


One possibility is that Defender Controlled Folder Access may be blocking it. Make sure that if you have controlled folder access turned on then you set C:\Program Files (x86)\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 7\psp.exe as an allowed app.

Add or Remove Allowed Apps for Controlled Folder Access in Windows 10 | Tutorials

What type of image files do you have this problem with? It it all types (jpeg, bmp, gif, etc) or just one? Try setting something else (Paint, perhaps) as the default to open an image. Then try setting the default back to PSP.

You could try reinstalling PSP 7 if nothing else helps.

Thanks for all that Bree...sadly though, problem still exists. Any other suggestions?

Windows 10 Pro 64-bit, Version:1809, Build:17763.195

Controlled folder access is OFF

Compatibiltiy is set to XP SP3...have tried all other OS's with no success.

The problem is with all image file types (all file types that PSP can open)

Changing the default program opens up images in the new default program. All good, but, reverting back to PSP default...same problem; PSP opens up empty with no image displayed

Have tried uninstalling and reinstalling twice...Same problem after reinstall

One additional thing. If I click on a PSP workspace file *.wsp from File Explorer. PSP opens up and pops up an error for every image in the workspace. It simply says, 'An error has occurred while trying to read from the file' and 'Unable to open the file', alternatively for each image in the workspace. I get no errors if it is a single image file such as a *.jpg or *.png