Sometimes it takes a while to open an image. Sometimes opens but doesn't have any image. Just shows blank black background. Sometimes it opens the image. Usually working with .jpg and .png files. It started happening fairly recently. It worked fine before. I need to close and open it a couple of times before I get it to work.
Windows version: 1909 (OS Build 18363.959).
I hate that about the Photos app. Even when it's working well it takes its time to open. Seems to have a lot going on in the background, maintaining its database of 'collections', 'albums', etc.
For a quick look at an image it is painfully slow. I still prefer to use the good old Windows Photo Viewer.
Restore Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 10
You may have just had Photos updated by the Store.....It worked fine before....
I also don't use Photos, mostly because when opening Photos after the computer has been started/restarted it seems to need to enumerate all the image files on the computer and any attached external drives. It's noticeably faster in successive openings.
I use XnView Classic (free), cause it beats all the others.
XnView . The Best Windows Photo Viewer, Image Resizer and Batch Converter
Opinions may differ on what the 'best' photo viewer is, but it seems we all agree on what is the worst - Photos
I like Windows Photo Viewer as my default photo viewer because a) it is built-in, even in 2004, and b) it's not designed to do anything other than view an image so it is lightening-quick to open.
For actually manipulating images I have a choice of Irfanview and PaintShop Pro, amongst others options. But most of the time all I want is a quick look at an image.
I waited a day to see if I'd get an update for Photos. Also, for the possibility of another solution. There doesn't seem to be an update yet. I think they're rolling out updates at different times in different regions. Can I check when it was updated last?I hate that about the Photos app. Even when it's working well it takes its time to open. Seems to have a lot going on in the background, maintaining its database of 'collections', 'albums', etc.
For a quick look at an image it is painfully slow. I still prefer to use the good old Windows Photo Viewer.
Restore Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 10
You may have just had Photos updated by the Store.....
I restored the old Windows Photo viewer. While it works well, the UI looks a bit out of place especially with dark theme for Windows Explorer. I changed the background color as well.
I could set XNView to work exactly like the Photos app. Opens on fullscreen with dark background but still I'd rather Photos worked instead. I guess there is no solution currently unless Microsoft updates it.
I have turned off 'update apps automatically' in the Store. If so, Downloads and updates in the Store will show what updates are available. If you scroll down it also shows your recent update activity (whether manual or automatic).
Don't think Photos will ever be quick to open. It's designed to do far more than just view images, it builds and updates a list of Collections and Albums. That in itself makes it slow to open (at least, the first time) as it will be updating its database..... still I'd rather Photos worked instead. I guess there is no solution currently unless Microsoft updates it.
Interesting article, and could explain the OP's problems. But if version 2020.20070.10002.0 does indeed have the bug as described it's not universally fatal. You can see from my earlier screenshot that I have that that version. It opens reliably for me, if at it's usual slow pace.
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