Windows 7: Windows Photo Viewer failure

I get this message when I try to open any image file:
"Could not fully start the application because an unknown error
has occurred"
Normally the Windows Photo Viewer would open it.



I can't find the program on the All Programs list and it's not under accessories.
So I can't isolate the command prompt to open the program.
I can't find it by searching.

I found a folder under C:/program files(x86)/windows photo viewer/
In it are four .dll files that are listed as Application Extension and no application for the photo viewer
There is one application file that opens a dialog box for my scanner and that's it.
There is a sub directory called en-US and in it are three .mui files.

There is nothing that opens the "windows photo viewer " in the windows photo viewer folder.

Needless to say I'm a tad stumped.

I have my OS disk. It's the retail version not the OEM.
Can I use that to get the photo viewer back?

Yes, you could do a repair install.

I don't know what bit version you are using.

Sounds like it might be a registry problem.

There is no photoviewer.exe if that is what you are looking for.

You could try merging this and see if it helps:

photoviewer.reg

64bit

What is the file you linked to?

I have a restore point that I can go back to maybe I'll try that.

So I did the restore - - no joy
Then a Repair with my Retail OS disk - - No Joy

I'm stumped.

I don't know what it means to "merge" the photoviewer reg file above.

First, click on photoviewer.reg to download it.

Then, because it has come from another computer, you need to rt click photviewer.reg, Unblock, Apply, OK.

Then you rt click it and select MERGE from your rt click content menu.

It not difficult - the MERGE option will already be on your rt click menu.

Thx. I did it and got an error message that the data could not all be merged.
Still no joy.

I have since gone to MS support sent them an email asking for help and run their diagnostic tool.
Maybe they'll have something.

Yes, they may have one of those fix-it apps. for the purpose.

MS support got back to me
The instructions were to go to CMD as administrator and enter the command line:
bdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOn
I think this is a TYPO and have replied to him asking it it is because: Nowhere can I find a windows command line for BDEDIT.EXE
I can however find BCDedit.exe and I rather suspect he simply left the C out.

There is a MS windows page here: BCDEdit Command-Line Options
Where all the arguments the MS support guy used in the command line can be found so I'm pretty sure I'm just missing the letter C in the command line, but I'll let the MS support guy tell me.

Yes, I am sure he meant bcdedit.

Don't know why he suggested that - perhaps he thinks some other app. is interfering with photoviewer.

It's a system registry file. When you are asked to merge it you are actively inserting or merging a new file into the system registry database, which in this case is related to Photo Viewer.

Strictly speaking, it's always best to backup the registry before you make any changes, so that the change can be undone if it causes a problem.