Windows 10 Photos App Missing? Here’s How to Reinstall Photos App

Microsoft Photos is a stock app on Windows 10. It is present on Windows 10 when you install the OS and it is the go-to app for viewing photos if you have nothing else installed. If you choose to install a different photo viewer, you will have to change the default one on Windows 10 i.e., change it to something other than Microsoft Photos.

Windows 10 Photos App Missing?

Stock apps on Windows 10 are present out of a box but many of them can be uninstalled. If you want, you can remove the ones you do not need but Microsoft Photos is one of the core apps on the OS so uninstalling it isn’t that easy (though still possible). If you can’t find the Microsoft Photos app, try the fixes below.

1. Reinstall Photos App on Windows 10

It’s possible that you’ve uninstalled the Microsoft Photos app, or an app that you installed did it for you. In that case, you will have to install the app again. You can do this from the Microsoft Store or via PowerShell.

To install Microsoft Photos from the Microsoft Store;

1. Visit this link to the Microsoft Photos app in your browser.
2. Click Get.
3. Open the Microsoft Store app when prompted by the browser.
4. Click Get and then Install.
5. Microsoft Photos will be installed.

If you’re unable to install Microsoft Photos from the Microsoft Store app, you can install it via PowerShell.

1. Open PowerShell with admin rights.
2. Run this command: $manifest = (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore).InstallLocation + ‘AppxManifest.xml’.
3. Microsoft Photos will be installed.

Note: Restart the system if the app doesn’t appear.

2. Reset Microsoft Store

The Microsoft Store app may cause problems with other apps. The Microsoft Photos app may very be present on your system but the Microsoft Store may prevent it from opening. Try resetting the app.

1. Tap the Win +R keyboard shortcut to open the run box.
2. In the run box, enter wsreset.exe and tap the Enter key.
3. A Command Prompt window will open and close on its own.
4. The store app will be reset. Try opening the Microsoft Photos app.

3. Run Windows Store app troubleshooter

The Microsoft Photos app is a Microsoft Store and Windows 10 has a troubleshooter that can help resolve problems with these types of apps.

1. Open the Settings app with the Win+I keyboard shortcut.
2. Go to Update & Security.
3. Select the Troubleshoot tab.
4. Click Additional troubleshooters.
5. Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter.
6. Apply all fixes that it recommends.
7. Restart the system.

4. Try a different photo viewer

If you’re still unable to open and use the Microsoft Photos app, you can install a third-party photo viewer. There are plenty of great alternatives to the Microsoft Photos app. We recommend giving IrfanView a try.

Conclusion

The Microsoft Photos app is the best photo viewer that Microsoft has ever developed. In fact, many Windows 10 users often complain about it. That said, if you’re determined to use it and it doesn’t reappear with any of the fixes listed above, create a new user account and it will be present in it. You will have to switch to using the new account.

Read Full Bio

Fatima Wahab

Fatima has been writing for AddictiveTips for six years. She began as a junior writer and has been working as the Editor in Chief since 2014. Fatima gets an adrenaline rush from figuring out how technology works, and how to manipulate it. A well-designed app, something that solves a common everyday problem and looks

Latest from Author

How to Take a Screenshot on Windows Best FPS Counter Software for Windows