How to View Photos in Windows 10

How to see all of your photos in Windows 10

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido and Cory Stillman

Last Updated: November 26, 2024 Fact Checked

Viewing photos in Windows 10 is rather different from previous iterations of the OS. Windows Photo Viewer is now a thing of the past, giving way to the new-and-improved Microsoft Photos. The change may present a bit of a learning curve for users accustomed to the old method of viewing photos, but Microsoft Photos remains a simple and easy way to comb through your favorite pictures! Whether you are a lifetime Windows user or a newcomer making the switch, this wikiHow article will guide you in viewing photos in Windows 10.

Viewing Photos in Windows 10

Open “File Explorer” on your task bar, then double-click “Pictures” on the left-hand side of the screen. Double-click any photo to open the Microsoft Photos app, then click “See all photos” in the top left corner to view all of your photos.

Steps

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1
Open the File Explorer. The Photos app on Windows 10 may look a bit different, but you can find your photos just like you always have. Open your PC's File Explorer to get started. It is located in the taskbar at the bottom of your screen, represented by a folder icon.
- If you don't have a specific photo in mind, you can also type "photos" in the taskbar's search box and select the Photos app directly. ^{[1]
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  Trustworthy Source
  Microsoft Support
  Technical support and product information from Microsoft.
  Go to source}
2
Double-click Pictures . This should be where most of your computer's pictures are stored.
- If you have photos stored in your "Downloads" folder, or anywhere else on your device, feel free to click on those folders instead.
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3
Double-click any photo. The photo will automatically open in the new Microsoft Photos app on Windows 10.
- If you upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or 8, you may still have access to Windows Photo Viewer. To check, right-click a photo and select "Open With" to look for the Photo Viewer app. ^{[2]
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  Research source}
4
Click See all photos in the top-left corner. If the photo you selected from your File Explorer was all you needed to see, then your work is done! If you'd like to browse the rest of your photo collection, click "See all photos" to find the rest of the images on your PC.
- You can also use the arrow keys to view any other photos located in the same folder as the photo you have open. ^{[3]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Microsoft Support
  Technical support and product information from Microsoft.
  Go to source}