The Photos App is one of the underrated software available by default on Windows 10. It is capable of many tasks, which are not known to many, and is always shunned by Windows users. You can edit videos and images, rotate them and create slideshows of the precious snapshots and memories, you have stored on your computer. However, those who use the Photos App might sometimes face issues using it. Here are some quick and simple fixes that do not require hardcore troubleshooting steps.
Steps to Fix Issues with Photos App in Windows 10
As mentioned earlier, Windows 10 Photos App is a default software, and hence, the program files are included as a part of the system files of the operating system. In other words, any issues with the Photos App on Windows 10 can be resolved if the Windows 10 system files are repaired. The first method is a generic method to resolve most of the issues on the Windows 10 operating system.
Method 1. Run the System File Checker utility tool.
Microsoft has included a few tools in the Windows 10 operating system that can scan the computer for system files, identify them if corrupted, and repair/replace them if needed. To run the system file checker or SFC, follow these steps:
Step 1. Open the Command Prompt in Administrator Mode by typing Command Prompt in the search box on the toolbar. From the search results, select the relevant App and from the options listed, choose Run as Administrator.
Step 2. Once the Command Prompt’s Black and White window opens, type in the following command and press enter.
sfc /scannow
Step 3. Wait for the process to complete. You need to be patient as it will take time. Any missing or corrupted system files will be automatically fixed and can fix issues with the Photos App in Windows 10.
Also Read: How to view Photos as slideshow in Windows 10?
Method 2. Check Permissions in File System
One of the reasons why you are facing issues with the Windows 10 Photo App is probably because of the modified permissions in the file system. To confirm, if all the required permissions are in order, you need to check three specific folders. To check the folders, follow these steps:
Step 1. Locate the Program Files folder, which is generally located in the drive where the Windows operating system is installed. (it is C drive for most users). Make a right-click on it, and click on properties.
Step 2. A new window will open, where you have to click on the Security tab. Next check for All Application Packages and the permissions for Read & Execute, List of Folder Contents and Read. If there is no checkmark below the Allow column, then click on the Edit button located in the middle of the window. The image below will help you understand the process better.
Step 3. Click on Apply and Ok.
Step 4. Repeat the process in Step 2, with a different folder that is labelled as Windows. It will be located in the same drive as Program Files.
Step 5. The last folder we are searching for has a complicate path. It has been provided below:
C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WER
Step 6. Once you locate the folder, check for 4 permissions instead of 3 in the previous case, which includes Read and Execute, List folder contents, Read & Special Permissions.
Here is a list of folders and permissions that need to be checked:
| Name of Folder | Attributes to be checked | |
| 1 | C:\Program Files | Read and Execute, List folder contents & Read |
| 2 | C:\Windows | Read and Execute, List folder contents & Read |
| 3 | C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WER
|
Read and Execute, List folder contents, Read & Special Permissions |
Method 3. Update the Photos App in Windows 10.
Windows 10 automatically downloads and installs updates, but if you have modified the Windows update settings, then you would have to manually scan for updates and install them. Microsoft often releases updates that fix most commonly occurring problems and bugs as well as open new features in the existing apps. To check for updates relating only to the Photos App in Windows 10, follow these steps:
Step 1. Type Store on the search box located on the taskbar and from the results, choose Microsoft Store App.
Step 2. Once the Store App opens, click on the hamburger menu on the top right corner and from the list of options, locate and click on Downloads and Updates.
Step 3. Now, click on Get Updates and all the updates related to Microsoft default apps will show up. Click on the update related to the Photos App and initiate the download and Install.
Method 4. Reset the Photos App
If none of the above methods has worked, then it is time to reset the Photos App in Windows 10. However, resetting the app will delete all the cache and memory of the app and will even reset the data to default settings. To initiate a reset of the Photos App in Windows 10:
Step 1. Right-click the start menu, and open Apps and Features.
Step 2. From the list of applications, scroll down to Photos App, and click on it.
Note: The Photos app cannot be uninstalled from here as the uninstall button has been disabled.
Step 3. Click on the Advanced Options and in the new window that opens, click the Reset button.
Note: This method will wipe out all the data from the Photos App in Windows 10 and make it brand new as you are using it for the first time.
Method 5. Remove and Reinstall the Photos App
If the reset option does not work, then there is a critical step that you can perform to resolve the Photos app on Windows 10, and that is to obliterate the application and reinstall it. The Photos App is a default app that cannot be easily removed through the normal method of uninstalling the programs and requires a bit tricky and complicated steps to achieve this:
Step 1. Type PowerShell in the search box on the taskbar and from the search results, make a single click on the result that displays PowerShell app. Now look for the options listed on the right side, and choose Run as Administrator.
Step 2. In the PowerShell window, type the following command to remove the Photos App from windows 10.
get-appxpackage *Microsoft.Windows.Photos* | remove-appxpackage
Step 3. Hit Enter and after the process completes, close the window and restart your computer.
Step 4. Open the Microsoft Store and type Photos in the search box. Select the relevant app by Microsoft and click on Get Now.
The newly installed Photos App on Windows 10 will open afresh without any data or settings from the previous installation.
Method 6. Windows Photo Viewer
If you are not able to resolve the Photos Apps on Windows 10, then you can also consider switching to Windows Photo Viewer, which is also one of the default applications developed by Microsoft. Photo Viewer is no longer available on newly installed Windows 10 as Microsoft has phased out this product just as it phased out Windows Movie Maker. Both products were excellent and did not have any issues in functionality. Still, they didn’t contain a lot of features that are available in the market today with third-party applications.
The Final word on facing issues with Photos App on Windows 10.
Windows 10 is one of the best-operating systems out there. It does have a lot of bugs and issues, but those errors do have resolutions that can fix them. It is easy to get disheartened and install third-party applications which might have better features than Microsoft’s default apps. But if you ask me, I trust Microsoft apps as they are more compatible with the operating system, and if an error arises, it can easily be fixed. In the case of the Photos App in Windows 10, the removal and reinstallation of the app through PowerShell is the best method so far with a lot of positive responses.
Must Read :
How To Use Microsoft Photos App To Edit Videos