In case you are someone who enjoys working with Photoshop and editing pictures on your computer, you might find that the Preview feature on your Windows computer will make it a lot easier for you to sort through images. If you right-click on an image and select Preview, you will be taken to the Photos app by default, which is used to display pictures on your computer when you right-click on them and select Preview.
You might not be able to see the Preview feature after right-clicking an image in some cases due to the configuration or manipulation of a third party. You should continue reading this article if you run into this problem.
Before beginning, it is recommended you keep a backup of the Windows Registry and create a system restore point since we will tweak the Registry to bring back the function.
In this risewindows article, we will discuss how you can bring back the Preview feature if it is missing from the context menu.
Image Preview missing from the Context Menu in Windows 10
You cannot view the Preview option because the Windows Photo Viewer is not set as the default picture viewer for the image file type. Follow these steps to fix it:-
Step 1: Go to the Run dialog box on your computer.
Step 2: Open the Registry Editor. To do so, type regedit in the Run dialog box.
Step 3: In the Registry Editor window, type the following:-
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\image\shell
Step 4: Navigate to New > Key after right-clicking on the shell key.
Step 5: Name the newly created “Image Preview” key after right-clicking it.
Step 6: Right-click on the “Image Preview” key and navigate to New > Key.
Step 7: Rename the newly created key as Command.
Step 8: In the right-side pane, double-click on the (default) string on the Command key.
Step 9: Type the following in the “value data” box:-
%SystemRoot%\System32\rundll32.exe "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Photo Viewer\PhotoViewer.dll", ImageView_Fullscreen %1
Step 10: Click on OK.
Step 11: Finally, close the Registry Editor and reboot your computer.
After rebooting the system, you will find the ‘Image Preview’ option in the menu after right-clicking on any image.
If the above steps seem too much work, you can go to the forum and download the ready-made registry file. Once you do that, merge it with your Computer by double-clicking on it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Preview feature in Windows enhances the ease of sorting through and viewing images directly from the context menu. While certain configurations might lead to its absence, simple registry tweaks can restore it, ensuring a seamless photo-viewing experience. Always ensure to back up crucial data before making such modifications, or utilize ready-made solutions from trusted forums to streamline the process.
