Capture, apply, and work with Windows images

The Windows 10 OPK includes an image file, install.wim, which contains the operating system files for your Windows edition.

Starting by deploying this image to a device, add your customizations to it, test, and incorporate those changes into your images, iterating until you’re ready to put the image onto the factory floor.

File formats: WIM, FFU, VHD

To get the Windows image onto a device, you can install Windows using Windows Setup (.wim only) or a deployment script (.wim or .ffu).

Manage multiple variations of your Windows images by combining them into a single .wim file. A single .wim file can take a fraction of the drive space that multiple image files can take.

When you’re ready to manufacture devices, recapture and deploy the image as an .FFU file, because FFUs are faster to apply on a factory floor. FFUs can still be modified like .WIM files, but you can only store one variation of the image at a time.

For more details about the file formats, see WIM vs. VHD vs. FFU: comparing image file formats.

Drives and partitions

• For WIM-based images, you can usually set up partitions during deployment, just before applying the .WIM image file.
• For VHD and FFU-based images, you may need to do some partition setup before you capture the VHD/FFU image file. If the reference and destination drives are different sizes, you may also need to perform setup after you apply the VHD/FFU image file.

View RAW Images in Windows 10 With Microsoft’s New Plugin

Microsoft just released a free RAW Image extension for Windows 10 that makes viewing RAW files much easier in Windows’ File Explorer—photographers, rejoice. Instead of having to use Adobe Photoshop or other third-party apps and plug-ins to open RAW images , you can also open them up with Window 10’s built-in Photos app, just like you would a simpler .JPG or .PNG file.

To get started, find the RAW Image extension “app’ in the Windows Store and install it on your system. (You’ll need to be running the Windows 10 May 2019 update first, so make sure you’ve also gone through that process.)

After you’ve installed the extension, you’ll be able to double-click on a .RAW file and pull it up in Photos if that’s your default app for viewing images. (Otherwise, you can right-click on a .RAW file in File Explorer and navigate to the “Open with” option to pull it up with Photos, if you don’t want to wait for a bulkier app like Photoshop to load.)

As an added bonus, this extension will also enable photo previews within File Explorer itself. Switch to a “small,” “large,” or “extra large” view for your icons to see your actual image instead of an ugly, nondescript icon.

How to set Photos to open RAW images by default

If you’re shooting in RAW, you probably want to use a more comprehensive app to view and edit your images. In case you’d rather use Photos to quickly preview images before you switch to a beefier editor, here’s how to set it as the default viewer for .RAW files:

1. Open Windows 10 start menu.
2. Click the gear-shaped icon to open the Settings window.
3. Go to“Apps” > “Default apps”.
4. Scroll down and click “Choose default apps by file type.” This will open an alphabetized list of various file types (such as .EXE, .JPG, .DOC, and so on), as well as the programs they’ve been associated with. The list may take a few moments to load and populate since it’s quite long.
5. For each of the RAW image formats you use, click the app icon next to the file type and set the Windows Photos app as the default program.

Brendan is a freelance writer and content creator from Portland, OR. He covers tech and gaming for LifeHacker, and has also written for Digital Trends, EGM, Business Insider, IGN, and more.

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DISCUSSION

If all else fails, just use IrfanView. It just works and I’ve been using that for years for reading RAW images. The irony is that Adobe’s crappy software can’t read the latest Canon RAW images without whinging , while using an out-of-date version of IrfanView loads it up without any problems.

Top 10 Best Photo Viewers for Windows 10 (2021)

By Doreen | Follow | Last Updated December 29, 2020

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Summary :

At current, everyone is passionate about photographing everything happening in their life, while choosing a reliable and excellent Windows photo viewer is hard. To make things easier, here compile the top 10 Windows photo viewers, including the best photo viewer for Windows 10 released by MiniTool.

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Part 1. Top 10 Best Photo Viewers for Windows 10

Here summarize the top 10 best photo viewers for Windows 10 to help you view and organize your images with ease. Let’s learn about them one by one.

Top 10 Best Photo Viewers for Windows 10

1. MiniTool Movie Maker
2. Microsoft Photos
3. IrfanView
4. FastStone Image Viewer
5. XnView
6. HoneyView
7. ACDSee Ultimate
8. JPEDView
9. 123 Photo Viewer
10. Google Photos

1. MiniTool MovieMaker

If you are looking for an advanced photo viewer for Windows 10, MiniTool MovieMaker should be your first choice.

Developed by MiniTool, MiniTool MovieMaker is a 100% free photo viewer without any ads or viruses. It is the best photo viewer for Windows 10 with a beautiful and compact user interface, which supports various file formats. Therefore, you can simply make a music video with pictures.

• Photo: BMP, ICO, JPEG, JPG, PNG, GIF
• Audio: MP3, FLAC, M4R, WAV, M4A, AAC, AMR
• Video: 3GP, MOV, AVI, FLV, MKV, MP4, MPG, VOB, WMV, RMVB

What really makes this software stand out is that unlike many other photo viewers, it can be used to edit video files, edit audio files and even convert between most of the common file formats, such as GIF to MP4.

2. Microsoft Photos

People who are using Windows 10 may not realize that there is a built-in photo viewer on their computer. That’s Microsoft Photos. It can also be used as a Windows 10 photo editor.

This photo viewer has more editing features than many free programs. You can use some special effects in Microsoft Photos, such as adding 3D butterflies or lasers. Besides, the photos on this photo viewer are well managed. It automatically arranges photos and videos in a scrollable timeline.

3. IrfanView

IrfanView has been available on the market for over 15 years. It remains one of the best photo viewers for Windows 10, allowing you to quickly browse through pictures on your computer and create slideshows. The software is lightweight, intuitive, and supports large graphics file formats.

IrfanView is more than just a basic picture viewer. It also offers other tools. For example, it supports OCR to recognize text on an image and export it to an editable format. Apart from that, if you need to make color correction, add watermarks and filters, it can also help you complete these tasks effectively.

4. FastStone Image Viewer

FastStone Image Viewer is another best photo viewer for Windows 10, which comes with full-screen mode and multiple language support. It has a slideshow option with many attractive transition effects. The photo viewer supports a multi-monitor configuration, which is useful if you need to process a large number of images. It also supports viewing, renaming, and converting files in batch.

FastStone Image Viewer is a program that works with many different file types, including most image formats on your computer, and the file types that twelve different cameras use. This means you can open, view, and edit the original image files that the camera has.

5. XnView

Despite initially supporting Unix systems, Xnview can now also be used as a Windows photo viewer. It supports multiple languages, more than 500 image formats and some other codecs such as camera RAW and more. It can even be used as a multimedia viewing platform where you can open and view video and audio files.

XnView lets you quickly browse through images, view them in full screen and slideshow modes, and categorize them with various options. The program has basic picture editing functions such as image rotation, cropping and resizing. In addition to handling these things, XnView can also help users create slideshows, web pages, and video thumbnails.

6. HoneyView

HoneyView is the most basic third-party photo viewer for Windows 10, with a stylish user-oriented interface. The program supports a couple of image formats like PNG, GIF, etc. If an image has GPS information, the location can be viewed on Google Maps with this app.

Honeyview is an easy-to-use photo management tool, which allows you to copy or move photos to the necessary folders, rotate and resize images, bookmark images, and more. What’s more, it provides the ability to view files in a ZIP or RAR folder without having to unzip it.

7. ACDSee Ultimate

With ACDSee Ultimate, you can easily view images and quickly access the necessary features to edit them. You can use the mouse or keyboard controls to scroll, rotate, and zoom in and out of pictures. Besides, the program allows you to set an image as your desktop wallpaper in one click.

What makes ACDSee Ultimate become one of the best Windows 10 picture viewers is that it enables you to view files in ZIP archives without extracting them. You can use it to finish some basic photo editing, such as correcting exposure, color, contrast, and fixing the red-eye effect.

8. JPEDView

JPEGView is a streamlined, fast and highly configurable photo viewer and editor that handles JPEG, BMP, PNG, WEBP, TGA, GIF and TIFF images with a minimal GUI.

This photo viewer has a built-in image file browser and rich quick editing tools such as sharpness, color balance, rotation, perspective, contrast, and local under-/overexposure. Moreover, you can set up a slideshow of multiple images in one folder.

9. 123 Photo Viewer

123 Photo Viewer is definitely worth adding to the list of the best photo viewers for Windows 10. This is a fast and user-friendly program with many filters and effects for basic editing that can handle different image formats and make it easy to manage photos on your computer.

This photo viewer supports batch operations for multiple purposes. For example, you can convert file formats, change the size of multiple images, and even rename them. Additionally, it can be used to handle animation file types such as WebP, APNG and GIF.

10. Google Photos

Google Photos is not a regular photo viewer for Windows 10, but it is indeed a very useful tool. With Google Photos, you can store all your pictures and videos in the cloud and access them on your PC or phone at any time without installing any software.

This photo viewer is completely free. All you need to do is save the Google Photos website as a PWA. Then you can use Google’s Backup & Sync tool to upload images from your computer. The only drawback is that the tool lacks the ability to create cartoons or movies.

15 BEST Photo (Image) Viewer Apps for Windows 10 in 2021

Photo viewer is computer software that can display stored pictures. These tools can handle many common file formats like PNG, BMP, JPG, etc. You can use software to rename, cut, copy, delete, and convert images from one format to another. Many applications enable you to view images in full-screen mode without any hassle.

Following is a handpicked list of Top Image Viewer for Windows, with their popular features and website links. The list contains both open source (free) and commercial (paid) software.

Best Windows 10 Photo (Picture) Viewer Apps & Software

1) ACDSee Ultimate

ACDSee Ultimate is a tool that can find duplicate images from a variety of locations and folders. You can get pictures stored on cloud storage apps like OneDrive or DropBox.

Features:

• Convert massive images into other formats.
• The tool is fully customizable.
• View collection of images by date.
• Wirelessly send images to ACDSee Photo Studio from your mobile.
• Supports HEIF (High-Efficiency Image File Format) file formats.
• Erase unwanted objects in the photo.
• It provides image cropping.
• Automatically correct the exposure levels of any photo.
• Adjust the contrast of any image.
• This software allows you to view files in ZIP format without extraction.

2) Microsoft Photos

Microsoft Photos is image viewer for window OS that enables you to edit photos with no hassle. This software enables you to search photos for places, people, things, and more.

Features:

• You can make images smaller for fast scrolling.
• It has improved navigation and design.
• You can crop, and rotate photos, adjust color, lighting, and more.
• Enables you to fix red eyes and blemishes in photos.
• View photos and albums from all your devices.
• See images as a slideshow.
• Set image as a lock screen image or desktop background.
• This tool automatically arranges photos in a timeline that can be scrollable.
• It supports image formats like BMP, JPEG, JPEG GIF, PNG, and more.

3) Adobe Photoshop Elements

Adobe Photoshop Elements is a tool that enables you to edit, create, manage, and share photos. It allows you to add motion to your static images with just one mouse click.

Features:

• You can add personalized quotes or messages to pictures.
• Allows you to create landscape images with ease.
• Offers customized effects to your photos.
• You can move, scale, or duplicate objects.
• This tool automatically adjusts the position of the human face for a selfie.

4) Movavi Photo Manager

Movavi Photo Manager is a tool for Windows, which enables users to manage digital photo collection. It helps you to edit individual or multiple images for the enhancement. The software also helps you to flip, crop rotate, and resize the photo.

Features:

• It enables you to manage RAW, PNG, JPEG, and many other formats.
• Automatically detects faces in the photo and create an album of each person.
• You can add tags to image files.
• It enables you to find and remove duplicate photos from your hard drive quickly.
• View photos in full-screen mode.
• The software can select visually similar images for you.
• Review automatically created photo albums which are sorted by the company.

5) Apowersoft Photo Viewer

Apowersoft Photo Viewer is an app that provides a free cloud service. It supports numerous image formats like PNG, BMP, JPG, etc. This software comes with a function of processing images in batch.

Features:

• You can share photos instantly with other people.
• View long images with ease.
• Screenshot anything which is there on your screen.
• Offers free cloud space.
• It can also work as a PDF reader app.

6) 123 Photo Viewer

123 Photo Viewer is a tool having a simple user interface. This tool supports the most common image formats like .bmp, gif, .jpg, .jpeg, and many more.

Features:

• Animation formats supported by this software are GIF, PNG, etc.
• You can magnify images.
• Use delete key for fast deletion of any file
• You can use a mouse to drag and drop images to the directory.
• Press ‘ESC’ key to quite from the application.
• 123 Photo Viewer enables you to change the format and rename image in batch.

7) Jalbum

Jalbum is application that enables you to create a photo album website from your images. It allows you to create folders to organize your album with no hassle.

Features:

• You can drag and drop images to this web application.
• A photo album can be uploaded to any website or blog.
• You can customize the presentation.
• Allows you to create or edit templates.
• Supports more than 160 different video formats suitable for web presentation.
• You can adjust any images with Straighten and crop tools.

8) ScanMyPhotos

ScanMyPhotos is a website that enables you to scan and view your photos with ease. This service helps you to enhance your old pictures.

Features:

• Offers photo restoration facility.
• It provides you video transfer service.
• ScanMyPhotos allows you to scan all your photos in bulk.
• You will get fast digitization of your photographs.

9) Google Photos

Google Photos allows you to share photos with friends and family using shared albums. It is one of the best photo viewer for Windows 10 which enables you to make room for more memories.

Features:

• This picture viewer for Windows 10 enables you to get back up unlimited photos, images, and videos for free, up to 16MP.
• This app helps you in the management of phone storage.
• It allows you to access them from any phone, tablet, or computer.
• See your photos automatically organized by the people, places, and things that matter.
• Navigate a lifetime of photos with simple gestures.

10) XnView

XnView is a free image viewer that enables users to open and make changes in photos easily. This Windows photo viewer supports JPEG, TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), PNG, PSD (Photoshop Document), GIF, etc.

Features:

• You can adjust the color of image, resize, and crop it.
• It can find duplicate image
• You can quickly view photos and manage images.
• Rename file in batch.
• Create a slideshow of images.
• Available for mobile phones as well as PC.

11) IrfanView

IrfanView is a compact and free image viewer for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10. It provides multi-language support. This software enables you to preview images using Thumbnail.

Features:

• This picture viewer for Windows 10 supports multiple undo steps.
• You can cut or crop any image.
• Convert image from one format to another in batch.
• You can save slideshow as SCR or EXE.
• Provides directory view of images.
• It allows you to add a watermark into the image.
• Change color in depth.
• Multipage TIF (Tagged Image Format File) editing is possible.
• You can rotate JPEG files.
• This tool supports OCR tread text from image and export in an editable format.

12) FastStone Image Viewer

FastStone Image Viewer is an image viewer for Windows 10. It supports numerous different image formats. This tool allows you to view photos in a variety of ways, like full screen, thumbnails, etc.

Features:

• It provides a fast and user-friendly photo browser.
• FastStone offers quick access to EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) information.
• This tool provides HD magnifier and a musical slideshow with many transactional effects.
• You can drag and drop photos to a directory.
• Add special effects on the image.
• It has a customizable image magnifier.
• This tool has multi-level undo/ redo capability.
• FastStone Image Viewer supports one-touch best fit or actual size display.
• You can compare images side by side.

13) HoneyView

HoneyView is a portable free image viewer. This tool supports operating systems like Windows XP, Vista, 7,8, and 10. You can use it to convert batch photo format conversion with resizing.

Features:

• Supports formats like GIF, JPG, BMP, PNG, and more.
• A portable version is also available.
• It is a freeware software.
• This photo viewer app for Windows 10 allows you to view files in a RAR or ZIP folder without unzipping it.

14) ImageGlass

ImageGlass is a lightweight and versatile image viewing software. It is designed for Microsoft Windows 10, 8, 7 and Vista.

Features:

• This photo viewer app for Windows 10 supports more than 70 file formats.
• You can personalize the software the way you like.
• Switch quickly between images.
• Open-source image viewer that can be used for any purpose.

15) GonVisor

GonVisor is a free sequential image viewer designed for Microsoft Windows. It enables you to view images in the form of a comic book or magazine.

Features:

• This program supports Brazilian, Dutch, English, French, and German, and more languages.
• You can enhance images that are bad taken or scanned.
• You can effortlessly check which comic book you have started reading.
• This Windows 10 photo viewer allows you to sort images and add a description.
• This software enables you to view images quickly.
• Support a full-screen view.
• Adjust image according to the size of your screen.
• Rotate image and save it with a new direction.

16) Nomacs

Nomacs is a free and open source image viewer that supports multiple platforms. It is one of the best photo viewer for Windows 10 that helps you to view all common image formats, including PSD and RAW files. It displays additional information like thumbnails, metadata, and histogram.

Features:

• You can browse images in MS Office files or zip that can be extracted to any directory.
• This image viewer for Windows 10 offers file explorer panel that allows switching between folders.
• You can add notes to the image.
• You can apply filters within the directory.

17) Photo Mechanic

Photo Mechanic is an application that enables you to view, organize, manage, and export digital photos. This tool makes the process of choosing, managing, and adding metadata to your image easier.

Features:

• You can edit any image quickly.
• It is one of the best photo viewer Windows 10 which enables you to copy images from memory cards.
• You can add metadata to the image.
• It has a basic feature that helps you to preview images with ease.
• Contains structured Keyword lists that enable you to add related keywords for searching a file.
• Copy, delete, tag, watermark, rename, and resize the image in batch.
• Geotag images by applying your saved GPS tracking logs.
• Synchronize photos from more than one camera.
• You can view and compare images side by side.

18) DigiKam

DigiKam is an open-source and free image viewer and tag editor written in C++. This tool can work with Operating systems like Linux, Windows, and even macOS. It contains a set of tools that can be used for importing, managing, editing, and sharing photo.

Features:

• You can transfer photos directly from external storage devices like USB sticks, SD cards, etc.
• Process images and publish them to social media.
• Filter album by file name, type, labels, and tags.
• Icon view enables you to display images as a thumbnails and full size.
• Easily compare images.
• You can create image presentation using this Windows 10 photo viewer.
• It enables you to crop, rotate, and flip photos.

19) FastPictureViewer

FastPictureViewer is a software that is developed for photographers with the aim of speeding up the image section. It has a facility to quickly review, rate, and annotate large quantities of pictures.

Features:

• It is one of the best photo viewer Windows 10 that provides full support of 4K and 5K monitors.
• View images in full-screen mode.
• You can press the delete button to simply remove the images.
• Tag, filter by rating, move, or copy images in batch.
• Allows you to sort by folder and file name.

⚡ Which are the Best Photo Viewing Apps for Windows 10?

Following are some of the best photo viewing apps for Windows 10:

• ACDSee Ultimate
• Microsoft Photos
• Adobe Photoshop Elements
• Movavi Photo Manager
• Apowersoft Photo Viewer
• 123 Photo Viewer
• Google Photos

💻 How to set default Photo Viewer in Windows 10?

Below are the steps to set the default photo viewer of your choice in Windows 10:

1. First, make sure you have installed the photo viewer you want to set as default on your computer
2. On the desktop, press “Win + I”
3. Navigate to the Default Apps > Photo viewer
4. Press the left click on Photos, and you will see the list of Photo viewing apps
5. Select the app you want to set as default
6. Your desired app will be set as default to view photos

✅ How to select the Best Photo Viewer for Windows 10?

To select the best photo viewer for Windows 10, we should consider the following factors:

• GUI and User Experience
• Usability and Compatibility
• File formats supported
• Tools and functionalities offered
• How photos are organized
• Ease of finding images
• Sharing options
• Album creation
• Basic editing, filters, and tagging features
• Cloud compatibility