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5 Best Alternatives to Windows 10 Photos App
Windows 10 replaced Windows Photo Viewer with Photos app, but many users, including me, dislike it because it’s complicated and slow. If you’re also unhappy with the Photos app and want alternatives, you’re in the right place. Here are 5 excellent replacements for your Windows 10 Photos app. If you want to bring back the old Windows Photo Viewer, check this. These tools make photo browsing or viewing effortless. They’re fast, simple, and powerful. Let’s get started.
1. FastStone Image Viewer
If you have used Picasa, FastStone Image Viewer will be familiar. It supports many image formats, including JPEG, GIF, PNG, RAW, and PSD. The user interface is similar to Windows Explorer and is much faster than Windows Photos.
The application displays folders and images, allowing you to preview them without opening. When you open an image, it opens in full view. Moreover, the tool includes options and features on all sides of an image. Simply move your mouse to reveal photo-editing and viewing features.
You have access to various photo-editing features including crop, rotate, blur, color effects, and annotations. This freeware image-viewer tool also includes a built-in image editor and converter.
2. IrfanView
IrfanView is one of the oldest photo viewers for Windows. It’s a quick and simple photo-editing tool that people continue to use for years due to its simplicity and usefulness.
When you download this tool, you’ll find two shortcuts – IrfanView and IrfanView Thumbnails. If you want to see all your images and thumbnails, use the second shortcut.
The images will open in the real tool only. IrfanView also supports other features such as batch editing, slideshows, and change EXIF data etc.
3. XnView
XnView is a great alternative for Windows Photos. The tool is similar to FastStone Image Viewer, but not as feature-rich.
Tab browsing allows you to view multiple images simultaneously. With support for over 500 image formats, it also includes basic editing tools like rotation, resize, and crop. Additionally, the tool offers various layout options to suit your preference.
4. Nomacs
Nomacs is an open-source hidden gem. Upon launching the tool, you may find it meh. However, exploring its settings and features will reveal its true value.
Unlike other tools, Nomacs does not support folder view by default. You need to enable folder view and thumbnails in the Settings. Thankfully, this software also supports basic photo-editing tools like crop, rotate, flip, and change exposure.
5. Apowersoft Photo Viewer
Apowersoft is different from other Photos app alternatives. It combines Windows Photos and MS Paint features. It doesn’t support folder view but when you open an image, it shows thumbnails of all other images in the folder.
The Apowersoft has a photo editor that opens in a separate window. The UI is similar to MS Paint but with more features like pixelate, sharpen, and other effects.
How to Set a Default Photo Viewer in Windows 10
To change or set a new default photo viewer on Windows 10, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Settings on your PC from the Start menu. Click on Apps.
Step 2: Click on the Default apps option in the left sidebar.
Step 3: Click Photo Viewer under Default apps and select your favorite from the menu.
If you want to use any of the tools for one file type, navigate to the image in Windows Explorer, right-click it, and select Choose Another app. Choose your tool and check the Always use this app to open .abc files option. To uninstall software, including the Photo viewers you just downloaded, click here.
Switch ASAP!
Using any of the above-mentioned tools instead of the Windows Photos app will make you appreciate them. These tools are much faster compared to the Windows Photos app! If you want to improve your Windows PC’s boot time, don’t forget to check them out.
Let us know your favorite photo viewer tool in the comments below.
As Fred Humiston, the author behind Twothirds.us, I focus on providing practical and easy-to-follow guides and solutions for a variety of technical issues that people commonly face.
My articles cover a wide range of topics, from troubleshooting out-of-sync audio on TikTok and managing Firestick devices, to understanding the impact of Capcut on video quality and resolving sound issues on Hisense Roku TVs.
I also delve into more general tech tips, like how to block numbers on landlines or use VPNs without Wi-Fi. My goal is to make technology more accessible and less intimidating for everyone, whether you’re a tech novice or a seasoned user. I strive to offer clear, concise, and helpful advice to make your digital experience smoother and more enjoyable.