Can't view PNG files - where to find PNG codec?

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  1. Posts : 28
    Windows 7 Pro x64
       #1

    Can't view PNG files - where to find PNG codec?


    Since installing the latest version of Windows Live Photo Gallery, Windows Explorer will no longer display thumbnails of PNG files. Windows Photo Viewer can no longer open PNGs either and gives the message:
    Windows Photo Viewer can't open this picture because the file appears to be damaged, corrupted, or too large.
    (The files aren't corrupted and any other PNG viewer can open them okay).

    I've since uninstalled WLPG, but that didn't make any difference. I think that WLPG has deleted or corrupted the PNG codec that ships with Windows. So I would like to reinstall this codec. But I don't know where I would get it from?

    A Windows repair would probably reinstall it, but when I've done a repair previously it's broken all installed programs (meaning they have to be reinstalled), so I'd rather not do that. I can't use a restore point as there are no points from before I installed WLPG.

    Thanks

    Dave
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 10,994
    Win 7 Pro 64-bit
       #2

    You may just need to associate the JPG file extension to open with a program you select by default.

    Default Programs - Associate a File Type or Protocol

    You could try to restore the Windows 7 default JPG registry entries and program associations with a clean copy from this list.

    Default File Type Associations - Restore

    You may have other damaged or corrupt system files that are preventing you from opening the JPG files. Try running a system file checker scan from an elevated command prompt (option two.) If problems are found, run the scan 3 times and reboot the computer immediately after each scan.

    SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 28
    Windows 7 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    marsmimar said:
    You may just need to associate the JPG file extension to open with a program you select by default.

    Default Programs - Associate a File Type or Protocol
    I'm pretty sure it's not a filetype association problem as Windows Photo Viewer is set as the default program to open PNG files in (just it can't read them, presumably because the PNG codec has been corrupted or deleted).

    marsmimar said:
    You could try to restore the Windows 7 default JPG registry entries and program associations with a clean copy from this list.

    Default File Type Associations - Restore
    I tried that (for PNG, not JPG) and restarted my PC, but unfortunately it didn't make any difference.

    marsmimar said:
    You may have other damaged or corrupt system files that are preventing you from opening the JPG files. Try running a system file checker scan from an elevated command prompt (option two.) If problems are found, run the scan 3 times and reboot the computer immediately after each scan.

    SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker
    Unfortunately it didn't find anything to fix, it says:
    Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
    Do you know where I can get the PNG codec for windows as a missing / corrupted PNG codec seems to be the most likely culprit to me?

    Thanks

    Dave
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,965
    win 7 X64 Ultimate SP1
       #4

    MS Photo Viewer\Editor


    If you would like to step up in functionality, there is another MS Photo viewer at this site. Just download and install.

    Photo Gallery - Microsoft Windows

    This will give you the ability to view your png files while you try to figure out the problem.

    This next link is a no brainer but you might find some help in it.

    http://support.microsoft.com/fixit/en-us
    Last edited by HammerHead; 14 Apr 2013 at 12:31. Reason: MS Fix It
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 28
    Windows 7 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    HammerHead said:
    If you would like to step up in functionality, there is another MS Photo viewer at this site. Just download and install.

    Photo Gallery - Microsoft Windows

    This will give you the ability to view your png files while you try to figure out the problem.

    This next link is a no brainer but you might find some help in it.

    Microsoft Fix it Solution Center: troubleshooting software issues
    Thanks for the suggestion, but WLPG is what caused the problem with PNGs not displaying in the first place. What I'm looking for really is how to get / install the PNG codec for windows?
      My Computer


  6. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #6

    You are looking for the wrong thing. There is no such thing as a 'png codec'.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 28
    Windows 7 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    whs said:
    You are looking for the wrong thing. There is no such thing as a 'png codec'.
    Are you sure? This MS page talks about the "native PNG codec": PNG Format Overview (Windows)
      My Computer


  8. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #8

    Yeah, but that is a basic function that should be available with any picture viewer. I have never heard of anybody installing a codec for that.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 28
    Windows 7 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    whs said:
    Yeah, but that is a basic function that should be available with any picture viewer. I have never heard of anybody installing a codec for that.
    Exactly, it should be available, but seems to have been corrupted or deleted. So I need to reinstall it. But I don't know where to get it from?
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 24,479
    Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1
       #10

    Have you tried a System Restore to before you first installed the WL picture viewer?
      My Computer


 
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