How to change your account profile picture in Windows 10

James Walker | March 6, 2021 March 4, 2020 | How-To

To change your account profile picture in Windows 10:

1. Local accounts: Use the Settings app. Navigate to Accounts > Your Info and click the «Browse» button to choose a new picture.
2. Microsoft accounts: Login to account.microsoft.com and click «Your info.» Click «Change picture,» then «New picture» to choose a new picture.

Applies to All Windows 10 Versions

Tired of seeing your current Windows 10 profile picture? Time to change it to something else. The steps required vary depending on whether you’re using a local account or a Microsoft account.

Continue reading for the local account steps, or skip forwards to the “Microsoft accounts” section if you use a cloud-connected account. If you’re not sure which describes you, start with the first steps below.

Local accounts

Local account profile pictures are controlled by the Settings app. Launch Settings from the Start menu and click the “Accounts” section. You’ll arrive at the “Your info” page.

Your current photo will be prominently displayed. Click the “Browse for one” button below to choose a new image for your account. Alternatively, press the “Camera” button (if your device has one attached) to capture a new selfie.

You can easily switch back to a previously used photo — your three most recently selected images will be displayed as thumbnails below your profile picture. Click any of the thumbnails to immediately revert to it.

Microsoft accounts

When using a Microsoft account, you can still update your profile picture from the Settings app. Keep using the process detailed above. Alternatively, you can use the Microsoft account website to change your picture from wherever you are, even without access to your PC.

Irrespective of the method you use, the change will apply across all Microsoft services where your profile picture is displayed. It might be a little while before all sites and devices display the new picture.

To use the online process, login at account.microsoft.com and click the “Your info” button at the top of the page. Click the “Change picture” link to begin the selection process.

The image picker opens to a basic editor that lets you crop your current photo. Press the “New picture” button to select a different image from your filesystem. You can then crop and resize it as you see fit.

Change your account picture

If you want your account picture to have more of a personal touch and reflect you, you can change your picture in Windows 10.

Change your account picture

You can change the picture for either a local account or a Microsoft account. Here’s how.

Tip: If you use just a username and password to sign in to Windows 10, you’re using a local account. If you use an email address and password to sign in, you’re using a Microsoft account.

Change your local account picture in Windows 10

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Accounts > Your info.

Under Create your picture, select Browse for one. Or, if your device has a camera, select Camera and take a selfie.

Note: Windows remembers the last three pictures you’ve used. Select the picture on the Your info page to switch to that one.

Change your Microsoft account picture in Windows 10

Select Add picture or Change picture, then follow the instructions.

Note: Windows remembers the last three pictures you’ve used, so you can easily switch back to a recent favorite.

Delete an account picture

Windows is designed to let you switch between your three most recent pictures on the Your info page. If you really need to delete one of your account pictures:

Open File explorer from the taskbar. If you don’t see File explorer on the taskbar, select Start , and type File explorer.

Go to C:\Users\ yourname\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\AccountPictures.

Replace yourname with your account name.

If you’re unable to find the AppData folder in File Explorer , it might be hidden. Select the View setting and select the checkbox next to Hidden Items to show all items in a folder.

Delete the account picture you no longer want to use.

Complete Guide to Importing Your Photos in Windows 10

Technical Level : Basic

The computer remains a central hub in our digital lives. We use it to manage a lot of things including finances, digital media such as photos, music, finding and storing information, creating content such as documents, presentations and all sorts of other productive tasks. Windows 10 as much as it may seem different, is still familiar and easy to use in many ways. A lot of persons have been asking about importing photos onto their Windows 10 device or PC. The procedure is exceptionally easy to do so I decided to prepare this article to show you how to import them, whether it’s a traditional point and shoot digital camera, a smartphone such as the iPhone, Windows Phone or even an Android device.

Digital Camera

You need to have a USB Cable if you want to import directly from the camera. The cable should have been included in the box that came with your digital camera. If you don’t have a USB cable, see instructions further down in this article for you can use the SD card in your camera.

Connect the cable to the micro-USB port then insert the USB male end into the USB port on your computer.

Make sure the camera is turned on.

If this is the first time you are connecting your digital camera to your computer, Windows 10 might need to initialize it and install appropriate drivers.

Importing Pictures and Videos wizard

If you are accustomed to importing photos using the Import Pictures and Videos wizard, you can still do so in Windows 10. Click Start > File Explorer > This PC. You should see the camera appear under Devices. Right click it then click Import pictures and videos.

This will start the Camera import wizard. Go with the default option then click Next.

If you want to customize where Photos and Videos are stored, click More options at the bottom left corner. Click Browse then choose where you want your photos and videos to be stored automatically.

The Camera wizard displays your photos in groups according to date and time. You can click Enter name field then enter an appropriate name. You can also uncheck groups and just keep the ones you want to import.

Once you have selected the groups you want to import, click Import

Wait while your pictures and videos are imported. You have the option to erase them from the camera the same time.

When the Import is complete, your photos will be presented to you in File Explorer.

Import Photos and Videos manually using File Explorer

You can import photos manually too. Launch File Explorer then open the Camera. Some cameras will have both fixed and removable storage. In most instances, yours will have removable, so open that.

Open DCIM folder

Browse and scroll through the photos. Select the photos you want, use the Control key + mouse click to select photos. Click Copy command under Home tab or press Control key + C

Go to your Pictures folder then click Paste, you can also create a folder then paste them there.

Importing using the Photos App

Windows 10 has a built in Photos app which you can also use to import your photos. Click Start > All Apps > Photos.

Again, make sure your camera is connected and turned on. Click the Import button on the command bar in Photos.

Select the photos you want to import.

The camera wizard will present your photos according to date they were take, you can click Clear under each group then select the ones you want to import.

When you are ready to import, click Continue

You have the option of changing where you would like to have your photos stored. Click Change where they’re imported browse and select the folder then click Add this folder to Pictures. Click Import

Your photos will now be imported.

To find your photos, click the date header

Click the date the photos were taken.

Smart Phone – Windows Phone, iPhone and Android

The Smart Phone has become the most popular way we captures photo and videos these days. Just about every phone has a built in digital camera. Windows 10 makes importing your photos just as easy too.

Importing photos from a iPhone

Importing from an Apple iPhone is just as easy. Connect your iPhone using the USB cable, click Start > File Explorer > This PC. Right click the iPhone then click Import pictures and videos. This will start the Import Pictures and Video wizard.

If you encounter an error, make sure your iPhone is unlocked, meaning you need to enter a passcode or slide to unlock. Also, you might need to trust the device. Learn more here about doing that.

Once you have done so, you should now be able to import your photos.

Just like a digital camera, you can select your groups, enter a name then click import.

Using the Photos app and iPhone

You can also use the Photos app in Windows to import photos and videos from your iPhone. Simply connect your iPhone using the USB cable, ensure it is unlocked and trusted. Click Import and your Photos should show ready to be imported.

Importing photos from a Windows Phone

Just like the iPhone, you can also use the Camera Wizard to import your photos and videos using either File Explorer or Photos app. Connect your Windows Phone using the USB cable, click Start > File Explorer > This PC. Right click the Windows Phone then click Import pictures and videos. This will start the Import Pictures and Video wizard.

Just like a digital camera, you can select your groups, enter a name then click import.

Using the Photos app and Windows Phone

You can also use the Photos app in Windows to import photos and videos from your Windows Phone. Simply connect your Windows Phone using the USB cable then click Import and your Photos will be ready to be imported.

You can also browse your Windows Phone and manually copy and paste your photos. Click Start > File Explorer > Windows Phone > open the Camera Roll folder on your Windows Phone then select and copy the photos you want. Some photos might be stored in designated folders from other apps such as WhatsApp.

Importing photos from an Android device

Just like the iPhone and Windows Phone, you can also use the Camera Wizard to import your photos and videos. You can also use File Explorer or Photos app to import them. Connect your Android Phone using the USB cable, click Start > File Explorer > This PC. Right click the Android Phone then click Import pictures and videos. This will start the Import Pictures and Video wizard.

I notice the wizard takes a bit longer to find your photos, so give it a little time.

Just like a digital camera, you can select your groups, enter a name then click import.

Using the Photos app and Android device

You can also use the Photos app in Windows to import photos and videos from your Android Phone. Simply connect your Android Phone using the USB cable then click Import and your Photos should show ready to be imported.

Troubleshooting

Now the instructions are straight forward, but problems can occur from time to time. Here are some things you can do to ensure your device works.

Make sure the USB cable you are using to connect the device to your computer is not loose. If the male end connecting to the female end on the device is shaky, it’s possible you might need to nudge the cable for the device to appear or you might need to change the cable.

Make sure the device is unlocked. If your device is locked using a passcode, you will need to unlock it so it will show up in Windows.

If the device does not show, restart Windows, launch File Explorer again and see if it appears.

If you more than one USB port, try connecting the USB cable to another USB port then see if it appears.

Sometimes unplugging and reconnecting will work. Check to make sure the Camera initialization wizard is working.

Some cameras might require a driver before they can work, it’s rare and in some cases apply only to high end professional cameras from brands such as Canon or Nikon. Check the manufacturer’s website for updated drivers normally available in the download section.

If your Digital camera is not appearing, again, change the cable or if your system unit has a memory card reader, remove the SD card from the camera insert it into the SD card port then click Start > File Explorer > browse the SD card and copy over your pictures.

If the SD card does not show up or you cannot browse or copy photos from it, make sure it is not locked.

Hopefully this guide will help get those photos onto your Windows 10 PC much easier.

12 Best Photo Viewer for Windows 10 (2020 Edition)

The new Windows Photo viewer has its own woes. You double click an image and it takes its own sweet time to load. Plus, it can only handle JPEGs and RAW images, but it has no clue what’s a PSD. Having said that, it does have few editing tools which work great but it’s seldom preferred anyway. All in all, there are much better alternatives out there that just trump Microsoft Photos. So, here goes my list for the best photo viewer for Windows 10.

How to set a default photo viewer

Just a heads up, installing a third-party photo viewer app isn’t going to be enough. You also have to make it your default Photo viewer app. To do that on Windows 10, head over to the search bar and type Default. Next, go to Default Apps Settings > Photos. Now you can select any Photo viewer as your default image viewer.

Best Photo Viewer for Windows 10

1. Windows Photo Viewer

Windows Photo Viewer has been a part of the Windows family since Windows XP. Formerly, it was known as Windows Picture and Fax Viewer and later renamed to Windows Photo Viewer. Coming to Windows 10, Microsoft universally replaced it with its updated version Photos. But, the developers still haven’t removed it from the system and it’s still accessible within the files.

However, in order to make it work, you would have to tweak the registry keys. I wouldn’t recommend manually editing them and hence you should download the .reg files app.

File formats: JPEG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, etc.

Pros:

• Simple UI with minimal features

Cons:

• Native editing reduces the size
• Doesn’t support GIFs

How to get Windows Photo Viewer back in Windows 10

If you have upgraded from a previous version to Windows 10, you would see the Windows Photo Viewer directly in the Default Apps menu under Settings. If you have installed Windows 10 from scratch, you need to follow these steps to activate it:

• Download these registry files for the Windows photo viewer
• Extract and double click on the “Activate Windows Photo Viewer on Windows 10” file
• Next, restart your computer and your beloved Windows photo Viewer should be back. And if you wish to deactivate it, just run the ‘Deactivate Windows Photo Viewer on Windows 10’ file and restart your system

2. HoneyView

HoneyView is the most basic third-party image viewer for Windows 10. It’s almost similar to Windows Photos Viewer in functionality and features, however, it supports a couple of extra image formats like PNG, GIF, etc.

Features:

It allows you to rotate images and perform basic resizing with it. Editing can be done by attaching a link to either Photoshop or Paint. You can bookmark images for future references.

Format: JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, and PSD.

Pros:

• Ease of usability and resemblance to the windows photo viewer

Cons:

• No inbuilt editing tools

Download Honeyview: Windows 10

3. ImageGlass

ImageGlass is another minimal photo viewer for Windows 10. But what really stands out is the modern UI of the tool compared to other photo view apps.

Features:

ImageGlass lets you view a slideshow of all the images saved in a folder. Something so simple and useful but still lacking in Windows Photo. You can link different image editors to different file formats. For instance, I can link PSDs to Photoshop. So every time I choose to edit a PSD, it will open in Photoshop only. It supports pretty much every file type under the sun.

Format: JPG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, WEBP, and 72+ image formats.

Pros:

Cons:

• Lacks inbuilt editing tools

Download ImageGlass: Windows 10

4. IrfanView

IrfanView is one of the most popular third-party image viewing apps and it is even our pick for the best photo viewer for Windows 10. It is named after the creator Irfan Sklijan and is free to use. The software is pretty light, intuitive and supports a large graphics file format base.

Features:

IrfanView is optimized to perform better and has a footprint of only 2MB. Apart from the image viewing, it also has a few extra tools. For instance, it supports OCR to “read” text on an image and export it to an editable format. Apart from that, you can also color correct pictures, add watermarks and a few different filters.

Format: BMP, GIF, JPEG, JP2 & JPM, PNG, TIFF, RAW, ECW, EMF, FSH, ICO, PCX, PBM, PDF, PGM, PPM, TGA, Flash, Ogg and text files.

Pros:

• Lightweight and easy to use
• Versatile file format base and can easily handle huge RAW images
• Supports more than 50 plugins

Cons:

• Not the best UI
• Although it can be fixed in the settings, scrolling through folders is painful as Irfan View constantly tries to open a non-image.

Download IrfanView: Windows 10

5. FastStone Image Viewer

The FastStone image viewer is yet another lightweight image viewer for Windows 10 with multiple language support. It has a slideshow option with many attractive transition effects.

Features:

Foremost, it supports audio and video playback. It supports multi-monitor configuration which would come in handy if you work with a large number of images. It also supports viewing, renaming, and converting files in batch. Moreover, you can also use the portable variant that can be run without installing.

Format: BMP, JPEG, JPEG 2000, GIF, PNG, PCX, TIFF, WMF, ICO, and TGA), RAW, MP4, MP3.

Pros:

• Dark theme support to complement Windows theme
• Supports renaming and converting in batch
• Support for video and audio playback
• Email sharing option

Cons:

• Slow thumbnail generation
• Overall scrolling is slow.

Download Faststone: Windows 10

6. XnView

With initial support for only Unix systems, Xnview is now available as a photo viewer for Windows 10 as well. It is not just an image viewer but a photo organizer and editor too. XnView is a robust software and supports multiple languages.

Features:

XnView not only supports 500+ image formats but also a few audio and video formats. It also supports scripting to rename a batch of files in a single stretch. On top of that, you can use basic editing tools to crop, resize, rotate, and add a bunch of effects. You can edit Raster images too which is a rare feature.

Format: JPG, BMP, GIF, PNG, TIFF, Raster and 500+ file formats.

Pros:

• Supports large file format base
• Scripting for basic tasks supported

Cons:

• It is free only for private use

Download XnView: Windows 10

7. FocusOn Image Viewer

The only stand out feature about FocusOn Image Viewer is the inbuilt editor. In case you have used Adobe Lightroom 2015, the editor resembles the same format. It has a histogram at the top with multiple sliders to adjust Brightness, Contrast, RGB, values, Sharpness, etc.

Features:

FocusOn supports 100+ image file formats. You can also view and delete the EXIF data, batch rename files using a standard file naming format. It also has an inbuilt image editor.

Format: JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIF, JP2, J2K, PSD, AI, EPS, CR2, NEF, ARW, DNG, RAW, and 100+ image formats

Pros:

• Inbuilt photo editor without damaging the original
• Inbuilt sharing support to your Blog, Twitter, Facebook
• Viewing and deleting EXIF data
• Batch renaming of files
• Email sharing option

Cons:

• Cannot view photos inside an archived folder

Download FocusOn Image Viewer: Windows 10

8. JPEGView

JPEGView can be considered as a free and open-source alternative for ACDSee. The main emphasis of the tool is quick editing. Hence, the preview bar comes loaded with brightness, color, and contrast adjustment sliders at the bottom.

Features:

It has an inbuilt image file browser. The editing tools are quite extensive and easily accessible on the Preview page. You can also set up a slideshow of multiple images within a folder.

Pros:

• An extensive set of editing tools
• Supports renaming and converting in batch

Cons:

• Lacks extensive EXIF data and a print button

Download JPEGView: Windows 10

9. QuickLook

QuickLook is a photo viewer for Windows 10 that was developed to replicate the quick preview action on macOS. Its smooth loading interface and quick response time bring it on par with Apple’s QuickLook feature. Hence the name. If you haven’t used QuickLook on Mac, it works with a simple spacebar tap to preview the image and again a click to close it.

Features:

QuickLook quietly runs in the background and listens for the hotkey’s trigger. A few different hotkeys are available to control the environment of the file are available. It not only supports image preview but also lets you view PDF, PSDs, text files, etc.

Format: images, videos, PSD, PDF and text files.

Pros:

• Open source and free
• Quick and responsive

Cons:

• It doesn’t actually have an option to manipulate the files on its own

Download Quicklook: Windows 10

10. Nomacs

Nomacs is an open-source, free to use image viewer for Windows 10 which has a lot of tricks up its sleeve.

Features:

Nomacs offers mosaic generation by overlaying a database of images based on similar histograms. My favorite feature is the synchronization of multiple instances. This enables me to easily compare images by zooming in or panning at the exact same position or even by overlaying them with different opacity.

Nomacs not only reads images in the zip archives but even previews MS office documents. You can also add notes to images to keep track of their origin. Nomacs includes image manipulation methods for adjusting brightness, contrast, saturation, hue, gamma, and exposure.

You can activate cache in the settings and reduce image switch times

Format: It supports all the popular image formats including camera raw formats.

Pros:

• Quickly compare multiple images

Cons:

• Recent updates have made it slow

Download Nomacs: Windows 10

11. 123 Photo Viewer

123 Photo Viewer is a light and fast photo viewer for Windows 10 with support for OneDrive.

Features:

The UI is easy to navigate and it comes with plenty of filters and effects for basic editing. There is a slideshow viewer included for reliving those memories. There is support for batch rename and format change.

Formats: JPEG, GIF, PNG, WEBP, etc.

Pros:

• Supports OneDrive
• Slideshow mode
• Batch rename and format change

Cons:

• Can’t autodetect and auto-scan folders with images

Download 123 Photo Viewer: Windows 10

12. Movavi Photo Manager

If you are looking for an advanced photo viewer, Movavi is really cool. Movavi comes with face recognition built-in (just like Google Photos) allowing it to group photos of the same person in the same folder. However, for that to work, you will have to add images to Movavi manually. It makes life so much easier and fun.

The UI is pretty and you can sort images by geolocation, date, and other metadata. Useful for pictures taken on smartphones and DSLR. You can also use the search function to sort by metadata.

Pros:

• Face recognition and album creation
• Search and group images by metadata
• Find and remove duplicate images
• Can handle tens and thousands of images

Cons:

• Images have to be uploaded to the app
• Search lacks contextual queries

Download Movavi Photo Manager: Windows 10 ($8)

Final Thoughts: Best Photo Viewer for Windows 10

Every software has its own selling point and we have listed quite a few. Most of them are free and some are open source. Irfanview takes the spot because of its lightning-fast interface. If you want app portability, FastStone is something that you can carry on a flash drive. Xnview and Nomacs are best for handling images in batch for either renaming them or converting them to a more compatible image format.