Unusual problem with WPV

[GTP]

For the past few days I have been getting a message from Windows Picture Viewer every time I try to open a picture.

"Windows Photo Viewer can't display this picture because there might not be enough memory available on your computer. Close some programs..."

It seems that every picture downloaded or saved after 20th of December gives the message. Anything before that date opens and displays as normal.
It happens on all formats; .jpg, .jpeg, .bmp, .tif, .png etc.

Saved pics also display the encryption lock in the top right corner although the drive does not have Bitlocker (or any other encryption) turned on.
Its easy enough to remove the lock by right clicking an empty area in the folder and hovering on "File Ownership" and selecting "Personal."
Or just "Decrypt" from the R/C context menu. I dont understand why they are being encrypted to start with.

I've googled solutions but none work, changed file attributes, turned off encryption under "Advanced" on the files properties Tab etc.

I've run Chkdsk, SFC reports no errors, DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth reports all good.

TIA for any help.

 

[phaZed]

Sounds like you're having permissions issues, to me. The pics having to be changed in File Ownership sounds like permissions. Sounds likely that "Picture Viewer" doesn't have permissions either, is being denied resources, then complains it has no memory.

I haven't used it in a while now, so I'm not familiar with how it's been doing lately in Win 10/11, but you might want to look into running "Tweaking.com's Windows Repair" and see if it helps at all.

 

[nlinecomputers]

It seems that every picture downloaded or saved after 20th of December gives the message. Anything before that date opens and displays as normal.

And what program is being used to do this? It’s possible that it’s running under another user and creating files under that permission slate instead of yours. Need to look at folder permission of the locked out files and see who’s permissions are/aren’t being applied. Same for the folders they are being stored in.

 

[GTP]

And what program is being used to do this?

I'm just using Windows Photo Viewer.

Thanks for the responses.
I've checked permissions and all seems to be in order. I'm certain its not running under another user account.
It seems that now some pictures are opening normally and some still aren't. It's completely random.
I'll look into the permissions again just to be sure I'm not missing something.

 

[britechguy]

It may not work, but the first two steps I use when any "bizarre behaviors" present themselves seemingly with out reason:

1. Using DISM (Deployment Imaging Servicing and Management) and SFC (System File Checker) to Repair Windows 8 & 10

2. Doing a Windows 10 Repair Install or Feature Update Using the Windows 10 ISO file

There's nothing to be lost but a bit of time from doing either or both.

 

[nlinecomputers]

I’m not talking about the viewer. How are the photos initially being saved to your device?

 

[GTP]

As I said above I've already run DISM, SFC and chkdsk.
The problem still exists but now with a different attitude.

I'll try the repair install.
Thanks

 

[britechguy]

I'll try the repair install.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to repeat what you'd already stated you'd done as though you had not reported having done it. This is sort of a "canned list" where, if step one has already been done, it's on to step 2.

Please let us know the outcome.

 

[GTP]

I’m not talking about the viewer. How are the photos initially being saved to your device?

From websites with a right click, save image as.
From Signal Desktop with the options provided to save images to your device.
Transferring from a USB drive to the PC etc.

 

[GTP]

Sorry, I wasn't trying to repeat what you'd already stated you'd done as though you had not reported having done it. This is sort of a "canned list" where, if step one has already been done, it's on to step 2.

Please let us know the outcome.

Thanks @britechguy it was very helpful information as all of the replies are.
I'll report what happens.

 

[nlinecomputers]

What happens if you use a different viewer?

 

[frase]

Probably stating the obvious though, yes have you viewed it from a different perspective @Barcelona?

Tried open with>another viewer to test, even the proprietary one with Win10.

You do have ownership yea?
Have you tried running the Take Ownership script on the drive wherever the images are located?

 

[Markverhyden]

Tweaking AIO?

 

[GTP]

Tried open with>another viewer to test, even the proprietary one with Win10.

You do have ownership yea?
Have you tried running the Take Ownership script on the drive wherever the images are located?

Pics open as expected with any other picture viewer including Paint, Paint Shop Pro, Photoshop, the built in Win 10 photo app etc.
Its only WPV that has the issue.
All the pics open fine on any other PC.

Yes I have manually set file ownership permissions and run the "Take Ownership" script.

The problem persists, however.

 

[GTP]

Tweaking AIO?

Yeah next in line...Have to set aside some time on the PC but rn I need to use it.

 

[frase]

Must be a registry corruption then - download this and see if it fixes the issue.

WPV

 

[GTP]

Must be a registry corruption then - download this and see if it fixes the issue.

WPV

Thanks.
I already have this script (or one very similar) because it's what I use to restore Windows "Photo" App on client systems.

My issue is with the Windows 7 style "Windows Photo Viewer" so this script doesn't work.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Windows Photo Viewer can't display this picture

If you receive message Windows Photo Viewer can't display this picture because there might not be enough memory available on your computer, see this fix.

www.thewindowsclub.com

 

[nlinecomputers]

Windows Photo Viewer is deprecated and no longer supported and doesn’t properly handle ICC profiles. Time to move on as the program is broken and isn’t gonna get fixed.

 

[Markverhyden]

Did you see the link below @Barcelona. As @nlinecomputers said it's deprecated. But, as always, someone's figured out some reg hack so maybe that'll fix the error messages.

Miss Windows Photo Viewer? Here's how to get it back in Windows 10

If you yearn for the simpler days of Windows Photo Viewer, we'll show you how to get it back in Windows 10.

www.cnet.com