Question Microsoft photos went missing - HELP

[Billm_in_Texas]

As the title says, I lost the Photo-viewing app I have used forever. I'm usually able to figure these things out but this one has me scratching my head. Had a Win update 3 days prior so not sure if that would have anything to do with it. It is still available on another Win 10 PC (my wife's) and a Win 11 laptop (mine). Does anyone have a solution or clue how I can get it back? I use it to view multiple photos and resize them as well. Right now it wants to open jpegs in Lightroom and the only other option it gives me is Paint. No good. I have gone to Microsoft Photos Legacy but it gives me the box shown in the last shot when I try.

FYI, I built this machine in 2017 and have only upgraded RAM in it. Clean install of windows with legit software.

Some shots of what went missing. I was using it one day and the next day, it's gone. Thanks for any help.

Win10 PC, wifes

https://photos.smugmug.com/Private/n-XQ9MPw/Everything-else/i-qD8p8v8/0/c5550460/L/photos%201-L.jpg

On my Win11 laptop

https://photos.smugmug.com/Private/n-XQ9MPw/Everything-else/i-6tbwLTZ/0/b4d109ad/L/20231117_141009-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Private/n-XQ9MPw/Everything-else/i-jKz6C3g/0/c155b155/L/20231117_141030-L.jpg

When I go to Microsoft store I get this message

https://photos.smugmug.com/Private/n-XQ9MPw/Everything-else/i-FbFkbL9/0/cbeb4bdc/L/photos%202-L.jpg

 

[COLGeek]

What file extension do the pictures have, like XXX.jpg or YYY.gif? Not the ones you have linked above.

 

[Billm_in_Texas]

jpeg

 

[COLGeek]

What application does Windows think is associated with that extension?

Apps>Default apps>Choose defaults by file type

 

[Billm_in_Texas]

If I double click the image, it tries to open Lightroom. I can choose Paint as the default. The problem is that the app went missing from one day to the next. If I try to get it back, I get the result in the last image in the OP.

 

[Billm_in_Texas]

Can anyone help? This is maddening. I found that Lightroom recently updated and I wonder if this changed something.

 

[SkyNetRising]

What happens, if you type "photos" in windows taskbar search box ?

 

[Billm_in_Texas]

It will bring up photos. If I attempt to open one, it opens Lightroom.

 

[COLGeek]

It will bring up photos. If I attempt to open one, it opens Lightroom.

This indicates that your default application is incorrect. See here:

Change Default Apps in Windows - Microsoft Support

Learn how to change default apps and protocol handlers in Windows, including an example about how to configure the default browser.

support.microsoft.com

 

[Billm_in_Texas]

This indicates that your default application is incorrect. See here:

Change Default Apps in Windows - Microsoft Support

Learn how to change default apps and protocol handlers in Windows, including an example about how to configure the default browser.

support.microsoft.com

I have been all through that. The only option it gives me as a default is Paint because Photo viewer has gone missing.
When I attempt to go to Microsoft Photos Legacy to get it back, I get this message - "This file does not have and app associated with it for performing this action. Please install an app or, if one is already installed, crate and association in the Default Apps Settings page."

 

[COLGeek]

I have been all through that. The only option it gives me as a default is Paint because Photo viewer has gone missing.
When I attempt to go to Microsoft Photos Legacy to get it back, I get this message - "This file does not have and app associated with it for performing this action. Please install an app or, if one is already installed, crate and association in the Default Apps Settings page."

You tried this?

How to restore and use Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 10

Bring back Microsoft’s best old photo app

www.techradar.com

 

[Billm_in_Texas]

You tried this?

How to restore and use Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 10

Bring back Microsoft’s best old photo app

www.techradar.com

I did and got a Photo viewer, thanks. It isn't the one I had before but this will work. I appreciate your help. As someone who processes thousands of photographs, I really relied on this option for viewing. I am still not sure what happened from one day to the next. I have a bootable copy of my hard drive that I was thinking of switching though I really didn't want to go to that extreme.

 

[USAFRet]

I did and got a Photo viewer, thanks. It isn't the one I had before but this will work. I appreciate your help. As someone who processes thousands of photographs, I really relied on this option for viewing. I am still not sure what happened from one day to the next. I have a bootable copy of my hard drive that I was thinking of switching though I really didn't want to go to that extreme.

Nice you got it working.

For viewing and maybe basic editing/info, look into IrfanView.
Free, fast.

 

[hedwar2011]

ImageGlass is also another good free alternative.