Troubleshooting Photo Opening Issues in Windows 10

Windows 10 users often encounter issues when trying to open photos. This article will guide you through possible solutions and provide a step-by-step process to reset or repair the Microsoft Photos app. Additionally, we will discuss the compatibility issue with the HEIC format and suggest methods to make these photos viewable on a Windows system.

Common Issues and Solutions

The issue might be related to the specific photo, the file extension, or the application used to open the photos. Here's how you can troubleshoot common problems:

1. Right-Click and Choose an App

First, try right-clicking on a photo and selecting an app from the drop-down menu. This might help Windows select the appropriate application to open the file properly.

2. Resetting Microsoft Photos App

Follow these steps to reset or repair the Microsoft Photos app:

Press Windows I to open Settings. Click on Apps > Apps Features. Scroll down to find Microsoft Photos, click it, and click Advanced options. Under the Reset section, click the Reset button to reset the Photos app to default settings. Alternatively, click the Repair button to try repairing the application without affecting your data.

Understanding the HEIC Format Issue

The HEIC (High Efficiency Image Format) is used by iPhone default photos, which means that Windows 10 does not natively support this format. However, converting these HEIC files to common formats like JPG can solve the issue.

Method 1: Modify iPhone Storage Format to JPG

Turn on your iPhone. Go to Settings > Camera > Formats. Click Most Compatible in the format interface.

After following these steps, new photos stored in your iPhone will be in JPG format, but the original photos will remain in HEIC format.

Method 2: Use HEIC Converter for Windows

To ensure compatibility across devices, you can convert HEIC photos to popular formats like JPG, BMP, PNG, or WEBP using a HEIC converter software. Here's how to do it:

Install a HEIC converter software. Open the software and drag or click Add file to add the HEIC photos you want to convert. Set Format to the desired format, such as JPG, and enable options for Resize, Quality, and Keep EXIF Info to preserve the original photo information. Click the Convert button to start the conversion process. After conversion, click Open to view the new photo in the target folder.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your HEIC photos are compatible with your Windows system, allowing them to be opened and viewed without any issues.

Conclusion

With the right troubleshooting steps and tools, you can easily resolve issues with opening photos in Windows 10 and make HEIC photos compatible with your operating system. Always ensure that you have the necessary software and permissions to perform these tasks to avoid any data loss or system corruption.