Microsoft Photos App Missing in Windows? 10 Ways to Get It Back

First thing to remember is don’t panic

Do you have trouble locating Microsoft Photos on your Windows PC? You can’t find it on the Start menu; Windows Search won’t bring it up; double-clicking an image fails to launch it. Frustrating, right?

If a Windows reboot didn’t help (try that if you haven’t already), the good news is that there are several ways to get the Photos app back in Windows.

This tutorial will guide you through the most effective methods to fix the Microsoft Photos app missing issue on Windows 11 and 10.

1. Make Sure the Photos App Is Installed

The first thing you must do is double-check if the Photos app is installed on your Windows computer. To do that:

Photos is already installed if you see anOpenbutton, but a software issue prevents you from locating or opening it. In that case, move on with the fixes below.

2. Re-register the Photos App

If the Photos app is installed but fails to appear throughout Windows, try re-registering the app with the operating system. That involves running a specific command through an elevated Command Prompt console. Here’s how:

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

3. Repair or Reset the Photos App

If you still have trouble locating and opening Photos, you should repair the app installation to fix issues with potential file corruption. To do that:

If repairing the app does not help, selectResetto restore Photos to its factory defaults.

4. Run Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

The Windows Store Apps troubleshooter helps identify and fix issues with Photos and other apps from the Microsoft Store. If the problem persists, here’s how to run it:

5. Clear the Microsoft Store App Cache

Microsoft Store cache corruption triggers various issues with native apps in Windows 10 and 11. If Photos is still missing after trying other fixes,run the WSReset toolto remove and rebuild the Store cache. To do that:

6. Uninstall and Reinstall the Photos App

The following fix involves completely removing and reinstalling the Photos app with the help of PsTools from Microsoft. Here’s how:

Get-AppxPackagephotos | Remove-AppxPackage

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

rd /s “C:Program FilesWindowsAppsMicrosoft.Windows.Photos_

Note: You may have to pressTabrepeatedly until you seex64as part of the folder name, similar to what you see in the screenshot above.

7. Run SFC and DISM Scan

Running anSFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) scancan help identify and fix corrupt Windows system files preventing the Photos app from showing up.

To do that, open an elevated Windows PowerShell console, run the following commands one after the other, and wait until each tool scans the hard drive’s system partition for issues:

8. Update to the Latest Version of Windows

Installing the latest Windows updates resolves loads of bugs and glitches preventing applications from working correctly. If the Microsoft Photos app is still missing:

If there are pending Windows updates, selectDownload and Installto install them. You must restart your computer to finalize the updates.

9. Perform a System Restore

If all else fails and Photos is still missing or not working, you must perform a system restore to a point when the app is present and functioning correctly. The procedure removes updates, apps, and settings from the restore point, so you must create a backup of important files before proceeding.

When ready to move with a system restore, you must:

10. Create New User Account

Profile corruption issues in Windows are another factor preventing native programs like Photos from showing up. Create a new local account on your Windows PC and check if you can access the app that way.

Microsoft Photos App: Lost and Found

When you notice the Photos app has gone missing from your Windows computer, don’t panic. Whether it’s simply re-registering the app or performing advanced troubleshooting like a system restore or creating a new user account, there are plenty of options to get Photos back. Just be sure to back up important photos or files before attempting significant changes to your system.

If none of the solutions above work, your only remaining option is tofactory reset Windows 11or 10 to its default settings. Alternatively, check our list ofthird-party Windows photo viewersthat are not only superior in terms of usability but also support a more comprehensive range of image formats.

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

Welcome to Help Desk Geek- a blog full of tech tips from trusted tech experts. We have thousands of articles and guides to help you troubleshoot any issue. Our articles have been read over 150 million times since we launched in 2008.

HomeAbout UsEditorial StandardsContact UsTerms of Use

Copyright © 2008-2024 Help Desk Geek.com, LLC All Rights Reserved