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I want to change the default app to open PNG files in my laptop. Usually I can do that by right clicking, click "open with", click "choose another app", and at the bottom of the modal window there will be a checkbox "Always use this app to open..." to change the default app.

But in this laptop the "always use..." checkbox doesn't appear in the context menu: enter image description here

I tried opening Settings > Apps > Default apps. At the bottom I chose "choose defaults by file type". I searched for "png" in the search box, but it didn't show normal PNG, just Azure Information Protection Viewer: enter image description here

I tried opening Apps > Default apps > IrfanView 32-bit, the application that I want to set as default viewer. PNG is not available there either: enter image description here

PNG is not available in Windows Photo Viewer either: enter image description here

When I double click a PNG, the application that opens is "Print Pictures": enter image description here

But there is no apps called "Print Pictures" in my laptop.

This happens on JPG as well.

I have tried to "reset all default apps" from the bottom of the "Default apps" page as well. No luck.

How do I set IrfanView as the default app to open PNG under this condition?

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  • 1
    Using Apps, Default Apps, Choose defaults by File Type works fine here. Windows 11 Pro V22H2. Run DISM / SFC and see if that helps. (1) Open cmd.exe with Run as Administrator. (2) DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /StartComponentCleanup (3) DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth (4) SFC /SCANNOW (5) Restart when all the above is complete and test.
    – anon
    Commented Oct 31, 2022 at 11:55
  • @John thanks for the suggestions, I have done them but PNG option is still not showing up.
    – Endy Tjahjono
    Commented Oct 31, 2022 at 23:32
  • You may then need to do a Windows 11 Repair Install from the Microsoft Media Creation Link. Use the option to Keep Everything to begin with.
    – anon
    Commented Oct 31, 2022 at 23:34
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    Also, make a new, test Windows User Account and log into the new Account. Can you set PNG associations in the new account? If so, your original Account profile is damaged. The easiest and fastest way to fix this is to back up and reinstall Windows.
    – anon
    Commented Nov 1, 2022 at 1:10
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    @JacquesBosch no. I installed Microsoft Photos and it could take over from Print Pictures, but that's as far as I got. But this is a company laptop and IT installed all kinds of things in it. Pretty sure the cause is one of those IT apps.
    – Endy Tjahjono
    Commented Jan 3, 2023 at 4:07

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
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I ran into this same problem.

This can be resolved by open PowerShell as an administrator and removing the Microsoft Photos app from the machine. Without that app hijacking my defaults, IrfanView was the next default candidate.

PowerShell command:

get-appxpackage *photos* | remove-appxpackage
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  • So, instead of modifying the reference, you just delete the existing one? Looks like a lousy solution to me.
    – Dominique
    Commented Mar 9, 2023 at 14:00
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    The solution is crude, but I would argue not lousy. I have no use for Microsoft Photos as an app, which is why I installed IrfanView in the first place. Removing an app I never want to encounter is a win in my book. I am having difficulty imagining a situation in which I would regret my solution. Can you suggest one?
    – Michael Sullivan
    Commented Mar 10, 2023 at 16:47
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    Removing default apps of any kind in Windows earns an upvote.
    – Thomas
    Commented Sep 1, 2023 at 12:33
  • The suggestion does not solve the problem, unfortunately.
    – Thomas
    Commented Sep 1, 2023 at 12:34
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This is Windows 11 Pro, ver 23H2, installed on 5/13/2023. Your mileage may vary.

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps
  2. Search for Photos
  3. 3-dot menu far right
  4. Advanced Options
  5. Scroll down to Repair section
  6. Click Repair
  7. When done, Click Reset.
  8. "Yes I'm sure"
  9. In the File Manager, RClick a .png file
  10. Open With...
  11. Choose Another App

This removes the default hook for the Windows "Photos" app and you can select "Always".

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