Computers are one of the best systems for viewing multimedia files. Can’t view photos of any format or other media files using the Microsoft Photos app on your Windows computer? Does the app show a certain “File System Error” every time you try to use it? So we discovered some solutions for that problem after trying them out.
Usually, the Photos app file system error appears when you run a corrupt or outdated build of Windows 10 on your computer. Some unknown issues with the Photos app can also cause this error and make the app unusable. Whatever the problem, the methods below will help you fix it.
1. Update the Photos app
If you can’t view photos on your computer using the Windows Photos app, make sure you’re running the latest version of the app on your Windows PC. Old versions of any system app often have bugs and issues. That’s why you need to make sure your apps (especially the ones with issues) are always up to date.
To update the Windows Photos app, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Launch the Microsoft Store on your computer, search for Windows Photos, and tap the corresponding result.
Step 2: Tap the Update button to update the Windows Photos app on your PC.
If you can’t find the Update button on the page, that means you have the latest version of the Windows Photos app installed on your PC. Proceed to the troubleshooting tip below to fix the Windows 10 Photos app file system error.
2. Reset or repair the Photos app
Want to quickly fix problems with your Windows Photos app? Resetting it is something you should try if the above method doesn’t fix the file system error. That helps update the app to its state when you first used it on your PC. And the best thing is that you won’t lose any files or personal data. Here’s how to update the Photos app on your Windows 10 computer.
Step 1: Launch the Windows settings menu. You can tap the Windows logo + I buttons on your keyboard to quickly do this.
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Step 2: Select Applications.
Step 3: In the “Apps and features” section, tap Microsoft Photos.
Step 4: Select Advanced Options.
Step 5: Scroll down and tap on the Reset button.
Step 6: Tap the Reset button on the popup card to confirm the reset action.
Alternatively, before you reset the Photos app, you can try to fix it first. When you repair an app, Windows helps detect any problems with the app and fixes it automatically. To repair the Microsoft Photos app, follow the same steps listed above and tap the Repair button just above the Reset button.
When Windows has finished repairing the application, a check mark will appear to the right of the Repair button.
After repairing or resetting the Photos app, restart your computer. Then open a photo with the Photos app and see if the file system error appears. If you still can’t see an image, continue to the next method below.
3. Update the Windows operating system
Some users reported that they got rid of the Microsoft Photos app file system error by updating their computer’s operating system to the latest version/build of Windows 10. If you can’t see a photo using the Photos app because of this file system error, the problem may be caused by a bug in the version of the Windows 10 operating system running on your computer.
To fix this, simply update your computer’s operating system. Launch the Windows settings menu, select ‘Update and security’ and check for updates. If a system update is available, download and install it on your computer.
If your PC is up to date or the file system error persists after upgrading to the latest version of Windows 10, check the method below to fix the problem.
4. Reinstall all Windows applications
If you’re having trouble using built-in Windows or Microsoft apps, reinstalling them is a proven way to get them working properly again. That also goes for the Photos app file system error. To do this, you will use Windows Powershell. We’ll show you how to do this in the steps below.
Step 1: Writing shell power in the Windows search box and tap the corresponding result to launch Windows Powershell.
Step 2: Type or paste the command in the Powershell console and press the Enter button.
Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"
This command may take several minutes to run. Upon successful execution of the command, all your built-in Windows 10 apps will be reinstalled and re-registered. Restart your computer and launch the Photos app.
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Note: Close the Photos app before running this command in Windows PowerShell. Also, the command works without an internet connection, but for best results, make sure your computer is connected to the internet.
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If Microsoft Photos is your favorite app for viewing or creating videos on your Windows computer, it’s frustrating not being able to use it. Follow the troubleshooting methods listed in this post, and the file system error should no longer prevent you from opening or viewing media files using the Microsoft Photos app.
Next: Is the Windows Photos app bothering you? Are you looking for apps that do a better job? In the article linked below, we have listed 5 alternatives or apps similar to Windows Photos. You should check it out.