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 with which you can 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 Windows versions View application used Windows images. The user can install Windows Picture Viewer in Windows 10, in addition to the Photos program.
There is a free Photo Gallery app included with the core components 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 standard means Windows. For the best free image viewing programs, I recommend checking out the following programs: FastStone Image Viewer, XnView, IrfanView, Ashampoo Photo Commander Free, Honeyview. These programs work in Russian in operating system Windows.
These applications, in addition to basic functions, have tools for image editing. For more serious picture 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.
Available for download regular version FastStone Image Viewer or a portable version of the program that does not require installation on a computer.
Main characteristics FastStone programs Image Viewer:
- Opening graphic files of major formats
- Editing digital photos and graphic 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 opens quickly graphic files, the application has photo editing tools.
You can download from the official website of the developer in the form 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.
Have you opened the images on your PC? For this you need special program viewer. What software should I use to make my work convenient? Is it possible to get by with regular using Windows. Let's look at the best photo viewer for Windows 10.
It turns out that in latest versions Windows has a Photos application. It opens photos, creates albums, edits pictures.
Older versions of the OS used the Image Viewer app. Install it in addition to the existing Photos utility. Let's look at how to activate a classic application.
How to enable the standard photo viewer in Windows 10
This is done in two ways:
- Using "Registry Editor";
- Alternative way.
Method No. 1
In Windows 10, the standard photo viewer is activated using registry settings. Press “Win + R”, then enter the command “regedit”. 
Find the _LOCAL-MACHINE branch. Further, as in the screenshot. 
Here are the formats that will open by default. For me it is “TIF” and “TIFF”. How can I add other extensions so that all graphic formats open by default?
Click right click mouse on the free space in the right window, create a string parameter. 
Next we write the name and value. As in the screenshot. 
We perform similar actions for other formats.
Another way
If you are not very versed in OS settings, use the WinAero Tweaker application. Download the archive at: https://winaero.com/request.php?1796. Installation is simple and will not cause any difficulties even for novice users.
After opening, on the left we find the item “Classic Apps”. Select " Photo Viewer", click "Activate". 
The result will be the same as in the method discussed above.
Free photo viewer for Windows 10
In addition to Microsoft developments, use third-party software. Let's consider the TOP 5 best free applications. Use them as an alternative to the standard viewer. In addition to viewing, they have functions: rotation, red-eye removal, resizing, converting, printing.
FastStone
Free program with a clear interface. The developers have added built-in tools that allow you to: remove red eyes, edit size and color, convert files. 
The developers suggest using the regular or portable (no installation required) version. Program characteristics:
- View photos;
- Digital photo editing;
- Batch processing;
- Slideshow creation;
XnView
Use XnView for free for non-commercial use. Supports 500 formats, allows you to convert files. Allows you to watch videos and listen to music. The interface is simple. There are many built-in tools.
Peculiarities:
- Supports 500 formats;
- Built-in editing functions;
- Using filters and effects;
- Screen capture function;
- Convert file to 70 different formats;
- Working with plugins.
IrfanView
Fast photo viewer for Windows 10. Consumes minimal OS resources. The developers suggest installing the regular or portable version.
For Russification, install additional languages. Go to: http://www.irfanview.net/lang/irfanview_lang_russian.exe to download the installer. Next, run it and select the program folder during installation. Then the installer will do everything himself.
The Russified version will launch.
What the program can do:
- Play video and audio;
- Working with text formats;
- Batch renaming of files;
- Sideshow creation;
- Working with plugins to help expand functionality.
Ashampoo Photo
This handy Windows 10 photo viewer allows you to view, edit and convert files.
IN free version To use the program without restrictions, enter your email address when you first start it. To confirm your registration, follow the link that will be sent to your email.
Peculiarities:
- View photos in archives;
- Slideshow mode;
- Bookmarks for photos;
- GPS support in the photo.
Conclusion
The TOP 5 viewers reviewed are the best programs in this class. Which one to work with depends on your personal preferences. Use the software described above if the standard photo viewer in Windows 10 does not suit you.
Unlike this OS, old Windows versions included a Viewer Windows photos aka windows 10 photo viewer is a convenient application for all users. There was also a “Photography” editor, but a person always had an alternative choice. And since most people don’t like the standard viewer in the new operating system, they are looking for others, third party programs. This article reviews the most accessible and easy ways to restore Windows Photo Viewer in a new OS.
How to enable autostart in Windows 10
Method No. 1
Using the Registry Editor will quickly lead the user to the desired result.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
1. Using the Win+R keys, enter the command “regedit” in the window that appears.
2. Next in a new window you should follow the algorithm HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows Photo Viewer/Capabilities/FileAssociations.
How to open Control Panel in Windows 10
3. By right-clicking on the free space of the window, call the “Create” command. By clicking on it, select the line "String parameter".
4. The editor displays a window upon request. Add to column “Parameter” enter “.jpeg”, and in the “Value” column - “PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff”. Click "OK".
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5. It is necessary to repeat this procedure with each type of image file extension - .gif, .png, and so on.
6. After this, you can close the editor and move on to another action - display “Options” using the keys Win + I. In the window that opens, go to the “System” tab, then to “Default Applications”. Click on the line “Set default values”.
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7. A window opens with a scrollable list of commands on the left side. We are looking for the Windows Photo Viewer in it. On the right side of the menu, click on the line “Select values by...”. In the new window, check the boxes next to the formats that you previously selected in the Registry Editor. Click the “Save” button.
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On Windows 10, you use a store app called Photos. This application has much greater capabilities for viewing and managing images compared to the classic application Viewing Windows Photos, which was used by default in previous versions Windows.
However, if you want to set Classic Viewer as your default program for viewing images, you may find that the application is missing from the Open With menu, Default Programs settings, and assigning file associations to programs in classic control panel. As a result, you cannot set Windows Photo Viewer as your default image viewer.
You upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1
There are no problems here. The ability to use the Windows Photo Viewer application remains in graphical interface. You can choose it as your default app in Settings (the new Control Panel) or the Open With menu. Step by step instructions you will find in our article.
You have done a clean installation of Windows 10
As you can see, the settings for supported file types have special values that correspond to subkeys in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT registry key. By default, these subkeys are also not in the registry and need to be added.
After applying the registry file, Windows Photo Viewer will be available in context menu"Open with" images
In the list of applications for opening images
In choosing default applications in system settings
In the File Type Association settings in Classic Control Panel
Windows 8 introduced two applications for viewing photos. One was used on touch devices, different, familiar Windows users 7, could be used on traditional PCs and was called "Photo Viewer". The application is fast, convenient and belongs to the category of “why fix something that isn’t broken.” But in Windows 10, Microsoft has greatly complicated the process of restoring this application and not everyone likes the new application, and it does not work in the best way. Enough tolerating this! Here are the instructions for your attention: How to get photo viewer back in Windows 10.
Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 10.
This procedure can be done in two ways:
- Using a third-party application WinAero Tweaker.
- By editing the registry manually.
How to Bring Back Windows 10 Photo Viewer Using WinAero Tweaker
This is an easy method that will require literally 3 minutes of your time.
WinAero Tweaker window
- Download the app.
- Agree to the terms of use and scroll down the list of tweaks.
- Open "Activate Windows Photo Viewer" and click the button with the same inscription.
- The system will now open a window for setting up default applications.
- On the left side of the screen, find "Windows Photo Viewer" and select "Set this program as default."
- All photos will now open in the default Windows photo viewer.
Windows 10 Photo Viewer via Registry Editor
More complex and more suitable for experienced users.
- Open Registry Editor (press Win+R and type regedit).
- Go to the next thread: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Photo Viewer\Capabilities\FileAssociations. If this thread doesn't exist, just create it.
- Create the following values:
".bmp"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".dib"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".gif"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".jfif"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".jpe"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".jpeg"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".jpg"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".jxr"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"
".png"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff" - Now go to Computer Settings - System - Default applications - Set defaults by application.
- Find Windows Photo Viewer and enable it as default.
Do you like the new app or will you go back to the old photo viewer in Windows? Share with us in the comments below.
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