You can fix the Microsoft Photos app not opening on Windows 10 by resetting or reinstalling the application through the Settings menu. If the standard reset fails, running system file checks and ensuring your graphics drivers are up to date often resolves underlying corruption issues preventing the viewer from launching correctly.
Resetting the Microsoft Photos App
The most common cause for the Photos app failing to launch is corrupted temporary data or a glitch in its local configuration files. Windows provides a built-in mechanism to clear these files without uninstalling the entire application. This process restores the app to its default state while preserving your library settings.
Navigate to the
Start menu and select
Settings. From there, choose
Apps and then click on
Apps & features in the left-hand pane. Scroll down the list until you locate
Microsoft Photos. Click on the entry to expand additional options. Select
Advanced options to access deeper management tools.
Under the
Reset section, you will see two buttons:
Repair and
Reset. Start by clicking
Repair. This attempts to fix the app without deleting any data. If the issue persists after repairing, return to this same screen and click
Reset. Note that this action clears the app’s cache and preferences, which may require you to re-sign into some linked services if applicable. Test the app immediately after resetting to see if it launches successfully.
Reinstalling via PowerShell
If resetting the app does not resolve the problem, the installation package itself may be damaged. Removing the app completely and reinstalling it ensures you have a fresh copy of all necessary components. This method uses PowerShell, a powerful command-line tool built into Windows 10.
Right-click the
Start button and select
Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the context menu. You must confirm the User Account Control prompt to proceed with administrative privileges. In the blue window that appears, type the following command carefully:
Get-AppxPackage *windowsphotos* | Remove-AppxPackage
Press
Enter to execute the removal. Once the command completes, the Photos app will disappear from your system. To restore it, open the
Microsoft Store application. Search for "Microsoft Photos" in the search bar. Locate the official app published by Microsoft and click
Get or
Install. Wait for the download and installation to finish. Launch the app from the Start menu to verify the fix.
For users experiencing broader issues with launching applications, you might also find our guide on how to fix clicking apps in the start menu helpful, as similar underlying service failures can affect multiple programs simultaneously.
Checking System File Integrity
Corrupted Windows system files can interfere with the proper functioning of UWP (Universal Windows Platform) apps like Photos. The System File Checker (SFC) tool scans protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with correct Microsoft ones. This diagnostic step is crucial when app-specific fixes fail to produce results.
Open PowerShell or Command Prompt as an administrator again. Type the following command to initiate a full scan of your system integrity:
sfc /scannow
Press
Enter and wait for the process to complete. This may take several minutes. Do not close the window during the scan. If the tool reports that it found corrupt files and successfully repaired them, restart your computer. After rebooting, try opening the Photos app again. If SFC cannot repair the files, you may need to run the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool to fix the component store before running SFC again.
Updating Graphics Drivers
The Photos app relies heavily on hardware acceleration to render images efficiently. Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can cause the app to crash silently upon launch. Ensuring your GPU drivers are current is a vital troubleshooting step for media-related errors.
Visit the website of your graphics card manufacturer, such as NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel. Download the latest driver compatible with your specific model and Windows 10 version. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to update your software. A restart is required after the installation completes. This update ensures that the Photos app has the necessary support to decode and display image formats correctly.
Disabling Antivirus Interference
Sometimes, third-party antivirus software mistakenly flags the Photos app or its components as malicious, blocking execution. Temporarily disabling real-time protection can help determine if security software is the culprit.
Open your antivirus dashboard and look for an option to disable real-time scanning or protection. Keep it disabled for only a few minutes while you test the Photos app. If the app opens successfully, add it to your antivirus exclusion list rather than leaving protection off permanently. This prevents future false positives while maintaining your system's security posture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Photos app crash immediately after I click it?
This behavior usually indicates corrupted cache files or a conflict with graphics drivers. Resetting the app through Settings clears the cache, while updating drivers resolves rendering conflicts. If both steps fail, the app package itself may need to be reinstalled via PowerShell.
Can I use Windows Photo Viewer instead of Microsoft Photos?
Yes, but Windows Photo Viewer is hidden by default in modern versions of Windows 10. You can enable it using registry edits or third-party tools, though Microsoft encourages using the new Photos app. Many users prefer the legacy viewer for its simpler interface and faster loading times for basic JPEGs.
What should I do if the Microsoft Store won't let me reinstall Photos?
If the Store fails to install the app, check your internet connection and ensure your Microsoft account is properly signed in. You can also try clearing the Store cache by running
wsreset.exe in the Run dialog. If problems persist, repairing Windows Update components may resolve dependency issues preventing app installation.
Does resetting the Photos app delete my pictures?
No, resetting the app only clears its internal settings, preferences, and cache. Your actual image files remain stored in their original locations on your hard drive or cloud storage. However, any custom album organization created within the app might be lost, requiring you to rebuild collections if desired.
How do I know if my graphics driver is causing the issue?
Check the Device Manager under Display adapters to see if there are any warning symbols next to your GPU. Additionally, visiting the manufacturer's website to compare your current driver version with the latest release can highlight discrepancies. Updating to the newest stable driver often resolves silent crashes in media applications.