How to Fix Photos App Not Opening on Windows 11 [easy]

Learn how to quickly resolve issues where the Microsoft Photos app fails to launch or crashes immediately after being opened on Windows 11. This guide covers the most effective "easy" fixes, starting with the built-in Repair and Reset tools found in your System Settings. You will see how to navigate to the "Installed Apps" section to refresh the application's data without losing any of your saved pictures. If a simple reset doesn't work, we demonstrate how to check for app updates in the Microsoft Store to ensure you are running the most stable version. The video also explains how to use a quick PowerShell command to completely reinstall the app if it has become deeply corrupted. We provide a step-by-step walkthrough on setting Photos as your default image viewer to fix broken file associations that prevent images from opening with a double-click. Additionally, you will learn how to run a system file scan (SFC) to repair core Windows files that might be interfering with your apps. For users dealing with specific file types like HEIC, we explain which extensions are needed to make your iPhone photos viewable again. We even include a tip on using the "Photos Legacy" version as a reliable alternative if the modern app continues to struggle on your hardware. By the end of this tutorial, you will have multiple proven strategies to get your photo library back up and running smoothly.