FIX: File System Error (-2147219196) in Windows

Get back to working with your photos app

Do you keep seeing a message labeled “File system error (-2147219196)” while opening images with the Photos app in Windows 10? Despite sounding like a disk error, it’s an issue that mainly stems from file corruption or broken permissions.

Work your way through the fixes that follow to fix “File system error (-2147219196)” in Windows 10 and start using Photos as usual again.

Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Windows 10 includes a built-in troubleshooter that automatically deals with errors related toapps belonging to the Microsoft Store(such as Photos). We strongly recommend running it before diving into the rest of the fixes.

  1. Open theStartmenu and selectSettings.

  2. Select the option labeledUpdate & Recovery.

  3. SelectTroubleshooton the sidebar.

  4. SelectAdditional troubleshooters.

  5. SelectWindows Store Apps>Run the troubleshooter.

Repair the Microsoft Photos App

If the Microsoft Store troubleshooter fails to fix “File system error (-2147219196)” in Windows 10, the next course of action involves repairing the Photos app.

  1. Open theSettingsapp and selectApps.

  2. Scroll down the list of apps and selectMicrosoft Photos>Advanced options.

  3. SelectTerminateto shut down all live processes related to the Photos app. Then, selectRepair.

Reset the Microsoft Photos App

If repairing Photos also didn’t make a difference, try resetting the app to its defaults. To do that, simply follow the instructions in the section above but selectTerminate>Resetinstead.

Install Microsoft Store Updates

Assuming that the fixes above didn’t make the “File system error (-2147219196)” pop-up go away, it’s best to check for and install any updates related to Photos and other Store-related apps.

  1. Open the Microsoft Store.

  2. Select theLibrary iconat the lower left of the window. On older versions of the Microsoft Store, open theStoremenu (icon with three dots) and selectDownloads and updatesinstead.

  3. SelectGet updatesto update all Microsoft Store apps in Windows 10.

Re-Register the Photos App

The following fix involves re-registering the Photos app with Windows 10. The procedure consists in executing a command via an elevatedCommand Promptconsole.

  1. Typecmdinto theStartmenu and pressCtrl+Shift+Enterto open Command Prompt with administrative rights.

  2. Copy and paste the following command:

PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command “& {$manifest = (Get-AppxPackage Photos).InstallLocation + ‘AppxManifest.xml’ ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest}”

  1. PressEnter.

Re-register All Microsoft Store Apps

If re-registering the Photos app didn’t help, try re-registering all Microsoft Store apps on your PC via an elevatedWindows PowerShellconsole.

  1. PressWindows+X(or right-click theStartbutton) and selectWindows PowerShell (Admin).

  2. Copy and paste the following command:

Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml”}

  1. PressEnter.

Reinstall the Photos App

If file corruption is the cause of the “File system error (-2147219196),” completely removing and reinstalling the Windows Photos app may fix the issue. However, the procedure requires running a command as the SYSTEM user. For that, you need a tool called PsExec.

  1. Head over to thePsExec page on Windows Sysinternalsand selectDownload PsTools.

  2. Right-click the downloaded ZIP file and selectExtract files. Then, set the folder path asC:/PSToolsand chooseExtract.

  3. Open an elevated Windows PowerShell console and execute the following command:

Get-AppxPackage photos | Remove-AppxPackage

  1. Open an elevated Command Prompt console and execute the following command:

C:PSToolsPsExec.exe -sid C:WindowsSystem32cmd.exe

  1. Agree to the SysInternals software license terms. A separate Command Prompt console will automatically launch.

  2. Execute the following command:

rd /s “C:Program FilesWindowsAppsMicrosoft.Windows.Photos_2021.21090.10008.0_x64__8wekyb38bbwe

Note:The Photos app’s directory changes with each Windows update. To auto-fill the command with the correct name, press theTabkey right afterrd /s “C:Program FilesWindowsAppsMicrosoft.Windows.Photos_. You may have to cycle through matching entries (repeatedly pressTab) until you seex64included as part of the file name.

  1. Exit all Command Prompt windows and reinstall Photos via the Microsoft Store.

Change Photos App Ownership to TrustedInstaller

If the issue persists, change ownership of the Photos app toTrustedInstaller(a special user account in Windows 10) and see if that helps.

  1. Open an elevated Windows PowerShell console and execute the following command:

takeown /F “%ProgramFiles%WindowsApps” /r /d y

  1. Open File Explorer and selectView>Hidden itemson the menu bar.

  2. Head over to the following location:

Local Disk C>Program Files>WindowsApps

  1. Right-click on the folder labeledMicrosoft.Windows.Photos_[version number]and selectProperties.

Note:If you see multiple similar-looking folders, pick the directory that containsx64as part of its file name.

  1. Switch to theSecuritytab and selectAdvanced.

  2. SelectChangenext toOwner.

  3. TypeNT SERVICETrustedInstallerinto the vacant box and selectOK.

  4. Check the box next toReplace owner on subcontainers and objects.

  5. SelectApply, thenOK. Follow that by exiting the folder’s Properties window.

  6. Re-register the Windows Photos app (instructions above).

Install Pending Windows 10 Updates

Windows 10 updates can improve the stability of apps and the operating system. If you still keep seeing the “File system error (-2147219196)” message, it’s time to use Windows Update.

  1. Open theSettingsapp and selectUpdate & SecurityorWindows Update.

  2. SelectCheck for Updates.

  3. SelectDownload and installto apply any pending updates.

Uninstall the Most Recent Windows Update

Rarely, Windows 10 updates can end up breaking things. If the issue with the Photos app occurred right after installing an operating system update, you might want to consider uninstalling it.

  1. Open theSettingsapp and selectUpdate & SecurityorWindows Update.

  2. SelectView update history.

  3. SelectUninstall updates.

  4. Select the most recent update (skip any security or servicing stack updates).

  5. SelectUninstall.

Run an SFC and DISM Scan

If none of the fixes above helped, it’s time to run theSystem File Checker (SFC)and the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool. That resolves corruption issues with the operating system.

Open an elevated Windows PowerShell console and run the following command:

sfc /scannow

After the System File Checker finishes scanning Windows 10 for issues, restart your computer and execute the following command:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth

Fully Fix File System Error (-2147219196) in Windows

The fixes above should’ve helped you resolve the “File System Error (-2147219196)” issue with the Photos app in Windows 10. If not, try using analternative Windows photo viewing appuntil Microsoft fixes the problem in a subsequent update. If you can’t wait, your remaining options involve performing a system restore andreverting Windows 10 to factory defaults.

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn’t hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube.Read Dilum’s Full Bio

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