Many users, when familiarizing themselves with the new OS from Microsoft, discovered that viewing Windows 10 photos is done through the Photos program. But in Windows 8, Microsoft offered a choice between a photo viewer and a Photos tool.
Why did the developers save users the ability to view common graphic formats through a more convenient and functional program?
Many Windows 10 users are starting to look for third-party products that are more suitable for them, knowing that Photo Viewer only works with TIFF and TIF formats. Therefore, today we will look at how to add this tool to the “Default Applications” section and the “Open With” dialog, where the program is initially missing.
Let's use the registry editor
More advanced users try to specify "Photo Viewer" as the application to open pixel images via the Program Mapping tool, but again, the application is only available for the above TIFF/TIF. Is it possible to make it so that the photo viewer can be specified as an opener for other image formats? Naturally, and this is easy to do.
1. Call the registry editor by running the “regedit” command in the search line or text line of the “Win + R” command interpreter.
2. Go to HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows Photo Viewer/Capabilities/FileAssociations.
Here you will see a couple of parameters with the name of image formats that can be opened using the photo viewer.
3. Using the right button, call up the context menu of the free part of the space in the right frame of the window and select creating a string parameter (REG_SZ).
4. Enter its name as “.jpeg”, and set the value to “PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff”.
We perform all the same operations for other formats (.jpg, .gif, .png) that you want to open through a more convenient image visualization tool.
5. Call “Settings” using Win+i.
6. Go to “System” → “Default Applications”.
8. In the left frame with the list of programs, click on “Photo Viewer”, then on the icon with the inscription: “Select default values for the program.”
9. Check the boxes next to the required formats.
11. Call the “Open with” context menu item on one of the selected image formats.
The Windows Photo Viewer option will appear.
12. Specify the tool as the default image opener.
Alternative method
For beginners who do not want to delve into the wilds of the Windows 10 settings storage, it is recommended to use the WinAero Tweaker utility.
- After launching the application, move to the last item of available tweaks “Windows Accessories”.
- Click on the “Activate Windows Photo Viewer” button.
The result will be the same in both cases.
Our selection presents the best applications for viewing photos, which, despite their free distribution, have high-quality functionality and capabilities on par with commercial software. Graphic image viewers have options for converting and renaming images, creating photo albums for recording on disks, uploading to the Internet, etc.
The utilities we are considering are also editors with a set of tools for processing photographs, removing unnecessary elements and applying interesting filters. Our review will help you choose a digital image viewing program that meets your needs.
Programs |
Russian language |
License |
Slide show |
Rating |
Seal |
Sorting |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 9 | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 9 | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Trial | Yes | 10 | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Trial | Yes | 10 | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | Yes | 10 | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Free | No | 7 | Yes | No |
The application allows you to view photos in various modes, convert them to the desired format and edit images using a set of useful tools. The utility is one of the fastest among similar viewers; it easily opens objects of less common formats, recognizes audio and video, and can also expand the boundaries of its capabilities by adding plug-ins. The user can extract sections of the image of the selected area and image icons, view images as a thumbnail of the image, create screenshots and use convenient auto-correction.
The program combines the main functions for editing and processing images of various graphic formats and digital RAW. The user can apply watermarks to the image, work with the size, color and unnecessary fragments of images, auto-enhancement, batch processing and red-eye removal. In addition, you can create histograms, business cards and slideshows with music, turn on a magnifying glass and add comments. The application is compatible with the scanner.
One of the best programs for viewing and editing graphic images. Can convert files, change images, create photo albums, set passwords on photos, burn the resulting material to disk or print. You can also resave from one format to another, work with multiple formats, remove red eyes from a photo, and view photos in slide show mode. In addition, the user can take advantage of interesting filters and effects.
Free Google product for quick search, viewing on PC and image editing. Finds images available on the computer and, using a large set of tools and interesting effects, retouches them, creates collages and slide shows. The user can crop, remove red-eye, improve the quality of pictures, adjust color and shadow, as well as adjust height and width. Transferring photos and clips to Google+ will help you quickly display the material in your feed, and the comparison option will allow you to evaluate the initial and final results of the processed image. Pikasa also systematizes pictures and finds them in a common database by tags, faces, geolocation or other parameters of a given sorting.
The utility allows you to view and edit images using a large set of high-quality tools. The viewer opens more than 400 formats, converts files, works with different operating systems and installs new modules. For processing, the user has access to interesting effects and tools, capturing images, creating slide shows and web pages, going to search and selecting skins. Using plugins, integration into the Total Commander shell is possible, and having Nero on your PC will help you burn pictures to discs directly from the software. Creation of photo galleries and web pages is available.
A free Nero product for searching media files, playing and burning DVDs, Blu-Rays and CDs. The utility helps you quickly find the necessary files in the media directory, open them, create images and burn them to media. In addition, you can “upload” material to the Internet, record images in several formats, edit photos and create a slide show or video presentation. Nero Quick works with most formats, recognizes faces and has a large set of powerful tools.
This utility allows you to quickly view and edit photos in a high-quality manner, sort your home collections according to different criteria, and “upload” pictures to resources. The editor is almost as functional as its paid counterparts; it intelligently organizes collections of photographs, removes red eyes, and has options for adjusting color depth, palette, and adding text. You can create 3D buttons, layouts, collages, apply effects and fine-tune parameters. Processed images can be synchronized with the mobile version of the software. The free version works for 30 days.
The application will help you properly organize your photos, create albums, collections, automatically sort and apply various effects to your photos. With the help of Karambis, you can create a convenient photo library not only for viewing on a PC, but also for use in software for viewing pictures or in social networks. There is a smart search, sorting by dates and locations. You can download GPS tracks and overlay them on an image, apply filters, share material by email, and adjust various quality enhancement settings. You can evaluate the trial version for 30 days.
Greetings to all!
Perhaps not everyone will agree with me, but viewing pictures in Windows is not very convenient, for example, not all formats are supported, you cannot view photos in the archive, there is a problem with converting from one format to another, etc.
I think this is why many people prefer to use alternative programs for viewing photos and pictures (and I am no exception here).
Actually, in this article I want to recommend several viewers (this is the name of the program for viewing images) , which will greatly simplify viewing media files (note: many viewers allow you to easily view video files!) .
I will add that all the programs presented in the article support the Russian language and are compatible with all new Windows 7/8/10 operating systems.
What is the best way to replace the standard image viewer?
ACDSee
The most powerful organizer and browser of photo and video files! Allows you to view hundreds of different graphics formats: BMP, PCX, JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, WMF and much more.
ACDSee has a built-in image editor: so that you can easily trim edges, add arrows, ovals and other elements, convert photos from one format to another, etc. You can easily create your own slide show. Supports work with scanners and digital cameras.
I will also note that the program can view the contents of archives without extracting them (very convenient!). And one more plus: ACDSee by default caches all previews from the folders you are viewing. This allows you to instantly show you a preview the next time you view the same folder, rather than creating it again (as other programs do). Thanks to this, the speed of work is an order of magnitude higher!
IrfanView
Very compact and fast viewer. Despite its modest size (only a few megabytes), it allows you to perform hundreds of different functions: viewing a bunch of different graphic formats (there are more than a hundred of them!), converting pictures (including in multi-mode), editing photos (cropping, writing, changing shades etc.) etc.
By the way, IrfanView was the first graphics editor in Windows that supported animated GIF files, multi-page TIFF and ICO files.
Key Features:
- support for hundreds of graphic formats (JPG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, GIF, ICO, etc.);
- support for Russian and all popular versions of Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 (32 and 64 bit);
- filter support for Adobe Photoshop;
- creating and burning slide shows to discs;
- Unicode support;
- it is possible to draw and edit pictures;
- ability to extract graphics from EXE/DLL/ICLs;
- A HUGE number of different plugins (add-ons) for the program can seriously expand its capabilities;
- support for scanners, digital cameras, and much more!
XnView
XnView - a simple and convenient photo and video viewer
A very popular viewer and direct competitor to ACDSee. It also allows you to view hundreds of different formats of photo and video files, convert from one format to another, change brightness, gamma, contrast, etc. All such operations can be done on hundreds of files at once, which is a definite plus for the program.
Key Features:
- support for a huge number of formats (more than 400!);
- convenient and powerful photo/picture processing: red-eye removal, edge trimming, changing resolution, converting to another format, adding watermarks, lightening/darkening and much more;
- support for extensions (and there are quite a lot of them released);
- working with scanners, printers and cameras;
- support for creating screenshots;
- the ability to use a portable version (which does not require installation);
- the ability to automatically create lists of all files located in folders;
- convenient work with previews (they can be configured as you like: make them large, small, put descriptions next to them, etc.).
FastStone Image Viewer
A simple and free program for viewing and processing photos. The functionality of the program is quite extensive and supports the Russian language in full. You can create postcards, banners, business cards, process photos, etc.
All in all, pretty good for a free product!
Key Features:
- the ability to open photos/pictures in a variety of formats (including large photos in RAW format);
- image editing and processing: trimming jagged edges, improving sharpness, increasing detail, adjusting gamma, brightness, red-eye removal, etc.;
- conversion from one format to another;
- applying watermarks, stamps and other protection;
- import images from a scanner, photo and video camera;
- batch multi-photo processing, and much more.
Zoner Photo Studio
Zoner Photo Studio - main program window
A very powerful program for working with pictures and photos (both for viewing and editing them). The program allows you to copy photos directly from your phone or camera, and edit pictures on the fly (remove red-eye, adjust contrast, brightness, etc.). In addition, you can immediately create your own slide show, gallery, calendar or panorama. And then, the resulting “creation” can be published on the Internet or sent to someone by email.
The program itself consists of four main modules: a module for importing photos; manager for managing archives of photographs and pictures on a PC; image editor; and an image viewer.
Before processing, and after processing in ZPS (improved brightness, color rendition, sharpness)
Key Features:
- convenient and fast model for viewing pictures;
- high-quality editing and improvement of the quality of “raw” photos: improving brightness, contrast, changing the color scheme, removing red-eye, etc.). Notice the wasp example above;
- the ability to apply quick filters to dozens of pictures at once;
- creating slide shows, calendars, and other photo collections;
- there is a special tool: cloning stamp (allows you to remove objects from the photo that you do not need);
- the ability to add frames to photos;
- creating panoramas;
- creating HDR images;
- creating 3D images without special equipment. cameras for their projection, and much more.
Minuses: the program is free only for 30 days, then it really starts to get annoying...
Overall, Zoner Photo Studio leaves a very positive impression. Personal resume: more suitable for those who edit and process photos (there are many tools designed for quick and easy image processing (much faster than poking around in Photoshop)).
How to set the default program to open pictures in Windows 10
In Windows 10, for your installed program to become the main one and be used by default when viewing pictures, installing it alone is not enough. To do this you need to go to control Panel Windows in the "Programs" section - click on the link there "Default programs".
I note that in addition to the viewer, you can specify a player, a browser, etc. here.
That's all I have for now.
Now let's see what to use to view images on a computer, and choose the best photo viewers for Windows. The best photo viewer is a subjective concept, so in this article I will offer several applications that can be used to open popular graphic formats for viewing and processing images.
Any user, when working on a computer, inevitably encounters pictures, images, photographs. In any case, graphic format files will end up on your computer, so you will need a program to open and view them. Therefore, you need a photo viewer on your computer to easily view digital images.
Windows 10 has a built-in Photos application, with which you can open a graphic file, create an album, make the necessary changes to photos, etc. In previous versions of Windows, the Windows Image Viewer application was used. The user can install Windows Picture Viewer in Windows 10, in addition to the Photos program.
There is a free Photo Gallery application included with the core components of Windows Live. The photo album supports opening and editing photos. The program must be installed on your computer (it is not included in the OS).
In addition to Microsoft applications, a large number of third-party programs have been created for viewing and editing images. In this article we will look at the best free image viewer programs that have many additional built-in tools for working with graphic file formats.
Third-party photo viewers (viewers) can be used on your computer as an alternative to standard Windows tools. As the best free programs for viewing images, I recommend paying attention to the following programs: FastStone Image Viewer, XnView, IrfanView, Ashampoo Photo Commander Free, Honeyview. These programs run in Russian on the Windows operating system.
These applications, in addition to basic functions, have tools for image editing. For more serious image editing, you will need another program - an image editor (photo).
The best photo viewers, in addition to the viewing function, have additional features necessary for working with images on a computer. The programs have built-in tools to perform various operations with digital photographs or any other images: rotate, resize, remove red-eye, swatch, color correction, convert to other formats, send for printing, etc.
The free Picasa program (which would have been included in this review) was left out of the scope of this review due to the fact that Google stopped developing and supporting the application in 2016.
FastStone Image Viewer
FastStone Image Viewer is a powerful free program for viewing and processing images with a simple, intuitive interface. Built-in tools will help the user solve certain problems with photography: remove red-eye, change image size, apply color correction, convert files, etc.
A regular version of FastStone Image Viewer or a portable version of the program that does not require installation on a computer is available for download.
Key features of FastStone Image Viewer:
- Opening graphic files of major formats
- Editing digital photos and graphics files
- A large number of built-in tools for working with images
- Batch file processing
- Batch conversion to another format
- Creating a slide show with transitions and effects
- Preview function
XnView
XnView is a free program (for non-commercial use) for viewing images, multimedia files, and converting files to other formats. This is a high-quality program for managing photos on your computer. Thanks to the support of a large number of formats, in XnView, in addition to working with graphic files, for example, you can watch movies or listen to music.
The program has a simple interface, a large number of built-in tools, XnView will do an excellent job of processing and editing photos on a computer.
The user can download the regular or portable version of the application to the computer from the official XnView website.
Features of the XnView program:
- Supports more than 500 formats
- Photo editing
- Applying filters and effects
- Screen capture
- Batch conversion
- Editing metadata
- Convert files to 70 file formats
- Supports viewing video and audio files, archives, documents
- Creating a Slideshow
- Plugins are supported to expand the program's capabilities
IrfanView
IrfanView is a fast, free image viewer that consumes minimal computer resources. The program is one of the leaders in the number of downloads in the world for programs of this class. This indirect information tells us about the quality of the application, which is rated by users.
Honeyview is a free image viewer with a simple and intuitive interface. The program quickly opens graphic files, the application has tools for photo editing.
You can download it from the official website of the developer, as an installation file or as a portable version.
Honeyview program features:
- Supports a large number of graphic formats
- RAW format support
- Viewing images in archives
- View photos in slideshow mode
- Bookmark for favorite photos
- Support GPS data on photos
Conclusion
The user can choose the best photo viewer running on Windows for their computer. Free programs: FastStone Image Viewer, XnView, IrfanView, Ashampoo Photo Commander Free, Honeyview are among the best image viewers in this class of programs.
Tools for working with graphic files help organize your home or office media libraries and sort out the media content of iOS or Android devices.
The photo viewer is designed to create photo catalogs, view images, and share files with friends. The cost is 250 rubles.
The application can offer:
- Creation albums;
- viewing photos in the calendar;
- sorting by geodata (GPS coordinates);
- built-in filters color correction;
- exchange photos on social networks.
- easy to understand interface;
- technical support developer;
- small price.
- restrictions trial version;
- instability assemblies.
A lightweight application for viewing and easily processing images. Free for non-commercial use. 
Possibilities:
- viewing images, video playback;
- Creation screenshots;
- editing images;
- application filters;
- works with a lot of formats images (more than 100);
- Creation screenshots
- intuitive interface;
- speed work (quick image search and sketching);
- with a small program size rich functional;
- extraction images from *.exe, *.dll files;
- supports plugins.
- no built-in Russian localization;
- minimalistic design.
Free program for viewing and working with digital images. But unfortunately, Google decided to close and continue working with Google Photos. 
Application features:
- viewing and editing pictures and photos;
- there is a version of the program for mobile devices;
- powerful photo search on devices in directories (scans “everything and everywhere”);
- Creation collages.
- Russian language;
- good speed work;
- simple but functional built-in editor;
- automatic creating a library images.
- No undo actions when editing;
- no operation group compression photo.
Multifunctional utility for working with pictures and photographs. Everything you need for simple work or home use is included. You can download the photo viewer for free from the official website. 
Main functionality:
- mode miniatures in the conductor;
- slide show;
- batch processing files;
- editing and photo processing;
- works with scanners, digital devices.
- built-in Russifier;
- availability applications;
- supports a large number formats files (more than 400);
- cross-platform;
- there is a version of the product for mobile devices.
- meager filters;
- unoptimized code when streaming photos.
A commercial project for working with collections of photographic material. The product is paid and is available in several versions - Ultimate, Professional, Standard. Standard version costs $59.99 
Application features:
- cataloging and sorting of the graphic library;
- organization multimedia libraries by category;
- advanced creation options presentations;
- working with documents in formatPDF;
- synchronization with mobile devices;
- group processing files;
- work with metadata.
- powerful built-in photo editor;
- can burn discs;
- work with archive files– lha, zip.
- big size programs;
- high price;
- instability assemblies;
- no built-in Russian-speaking interface.
It is a fast, convenient and stable photo viewer for working with digital content. For commercial use it will cost $34.95. For personal use and educational purposes - free. 
Main functions:
- slide show(many transition options);
- creating an executable (exe) presentations;
- batch processing photographs;
- supports formatRAW leading manufacturers of digital cameras;
- creating wallpaper for desktop;
- comparison photo.
- interface on Russian language;
- simple and convenient interface;
- rich functional;
- small size programs;
- stability work;
- availability for home use;
- operating speed applications, incl. group processing of photographs.
- only forWindows platforms;
- no support mobile devices;
- slow work with RAW files.
Positioned as a tool for viewing documents and photos in Windows 7/8/10, it supports a large number of graphic file formats. free for home use. 
Possibilities:
- viewing mode several documents.
- availability;
- functionality;
- compactness;
- Russian language.
- no possibility photo editing.
Included in the complete set of Nero programs. 
Possibilities:
- cataloging media content;
- record slide show and presentations;
- editing photo (simple functions - red-eye removal, cropping, image enhancement);
- record compact discs;
- recognition persons in the photo.
- nice interface;
- Russian localization.
- very heavy", will slow down on regular office PCs;
- separate utility not installed, only from the main Ahead Nero distribution.
Universal Viewer (ATViewer)
Supports viewing jpeg, gif, png, jpg graphic files, as well as documents. For home use - free. There is a paid version with more advanced functionality - the cost of a personal license is $26, for business $150. 
Possibilities:
- viewing documents and graphics.
- simplicity and versatility;
- installation plugins;
- opens formatsRAW digital cameras;
- supports about 40 graphic formats.
- No built-in editor.
The main function is viewing graphics in slide show mode. supplied free of charge. 
Possibilities:
- slide show graphic files;
- low resource consumption PC;
- simplicity;
- availability;
- filtration low-quality files.
- lack of Russification;
- minimum set of settings;
- no possibility accompanying presentations with sound.
This is a program for viewing and editing photos in Windows 7, 8, 10. Distributed on the basis of voluntary donations. available for use even for commercial purposes. 
Possibilities:
- batch editing(renaming, applying effects);
- Creation screenshots.
- convenient switching between directories in thumbnail view;
- flexible interface settings;
- fast work, not demanding on PC resources;
- availability;
- Russian-speaking interface;
- support multi-page documents(TIFF);
- integration with Windows Explorer.
- small opportunities built-in editor;
- do not support formats (NEF, RAW) of professional cameras.
A complete program for working with photos and viewing pictures. The application is paid, a 30-day trial version is available to the user. The cost of the license is 11,888 rubles per year. 
Possibilities:
- manager graphic files;
- support creating albums;
- format support digital cameras, image import;
- batch processing, filtering and renaming;
- converter with support for various formats;
- integration with social networks and cloud drives;
- Creation calendars, photo books, collages, postcards, videos.
- comfortable interface;
- powerful built-in photo editor;
- speed work;
- functionality;
- flexibility program settings.
- price programs;
- enough big size programs.
This is a fairly functional graphic file manager, which also includes a photo editor and organizer. The full version is available to users without any restrictions. 
Possibilities:
- organization photo libraries;
- Creation albums, collages, slide shows, panoramas, photo mixes;
- record CD/DVD;
- batch processing and renaming images;
- support many formats (more than 60);
- big selection of tools for working with content;
- functional photo editor;
- a bunch of built-in special effects;
- support Russian language"from the box";
- nice interface;
- size programs;
- slow work on regular office PCs;
- only for WednesdayWindows.
A lightweight, free image viewer. 
Possibilities :
- viewing comics, images, pictures;
- simple functions filtering and effects;
- viewing graphics in archives;
- opens graphic formats digital cameras.
- simplicity;
- small size;
- speed work;
- support Russian language.
- strange view implementation in thumbnail mode.
An application for viewing photos and applying various effects to them. available to all users for free. 
Possibilities:
- playback playlists made from photographs;
- caching images to increase productivity;
- application automation through the use of scripts;
- video support;
- work with extended metadata(EXIF, IPTC, GeoTIFF, GeoJPEG-2000, Fluoview TIFF);
- read/write multi-page documents;
- support multiple monitors;
- batch transformation and renaming;
- special tools for viewing large graphic documents and panoramic viewing of photographs;
- Creation Webpages.
- cross-platform(Windows, Linux, Mac);
- support plugins and scripts;
- available Russian localization.
- unwonted interface;
- absence context menu when selecting a photo;
- not correct russification.
Designed mainly for creating slideshows. For home use and educational institutions - free. 
Possibilities:
- Creation slide show;
- majority support popular formats graphics (BMP, JPEG, JPEG 2000, GIF, PNG, PCX, TIFF, WMF, TGA, more than 70 in total);
- support multiple monitors;
- a large number of slideshow effects(more than 170);
- powerful built-in editor;
- takes lots of space on disk;
- no support Russian language.
A viewer with an unusual interface design and photo processing functions. distributed free of charge. 
Possibilities:
- launch slide show;
- simple functions for image adjustments(rotate, skew, crop, resize, etc.).
- integration with the Windows Explorer context menu.
- used for editing external editor;
- No Russian localization;
- inconvenient interface.
Photo Viewer Windows 7, 10
The standard Windows application, despite the huge number of alternatives, can compete with third-party viewers. The program comes as a standard tool in Windows 7 and Windows 10. In the latter case, it is disabled during initial installation and to enable it you will need to edit the registry or using PowerShell commands. 
Possibilities:
- viewing graphic files;
- record photos on CD/DVD media;
- launch slide show;
- change background Windows desktop.
- speed work;
- simple interface;
- standard remedy Windows operating system;
- stability work.
- no built-in editor images.
The best photo viewer
The table shows the best programs for viewing photographs, images and pictures.
| Application | License | Peculiarities | Advantages | Flaws |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 280 rubles, trial version available | built-in color correction filters | Low cost | Trial Limitations | |
| Supports over 100 image formats | Performance | No Russian localization | ||
| Free | Making collages | Automatic creation of libraries | Support stopped | |
| Free for non-commercial use | Batch Processing | Supports more than 400 image formats | Unstable when streaming | |
| $6.90/69 per month or year, 30 day trial available | Creating presentations | Very powerful built-in photo editor | High price | |
| $34.95, free for non-commercial use | RAW format support | Performance | Windows only | |
| Free for home use | There is Russian localization | No photo editor | ||
| Included in Nero Suit | Photo editor | Available in Russian | Not installed separately | |
| Universal Viewer (ATViewer) | Free for home use. $26/$150 for personal/commercial use | View not only photos, but also documents | Opens RAW formats | No photo editor |
| Free | Creating a Slideshow | Low requirements | No Russian support | |
| Free | Batch editing | Performance | Does not support RAW and NEF | |
| Trial version 30 days, price RUB 11,888/year | Batch Processing | Powerful photo editor | High price | |
| Free | Burn to CD/DVD | Built-in special effects | Slow work | |
| Free | Viewing graphics in archives | Performance | "Glitches" in thumbnail mode | |
| DIMIN View | Distributed for free | Video support | Plugins and scripts | Incorrect Russification |
| Free | Creating a slide show | Multiple monitor support | No Russian language | |
| Free | Built-in photo correction | Explorer integration | No Russian localization | |
| Built into Windows | Burn to CD/DVD | Stability | No photo editor |