How to open Windows Photo Viewer

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Posted on 27 Oct 2021 08:17:44 by Eveline_RP

Hello,

How can I open a file in the windows photo viewer app with Power Automate Desktop?

There's no exe of the app to add to the 'Run application' activity, and trying to run the dll doesn't do anything.

I can fill in the filename in the application path and it will open, but it will also give me the following error: "Can't execute application/open file ..."

What is the best way to open these types of native apps?

Thanks!

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Eveline_RP 16 on 27 Oct 2021 at 08:47:53

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Re: How to open Windows Photo Viewer

Thanks! I used the run powershell script activity with your suggestion, that worked!
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VJR 7,635 on 27 Oct 2021 at 08:35:51

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Re: How to open Windows Photo Viewer

Hi @Eveline_RP

Try these options

Option 1.
Windows Photo Viewer is run by dllhost.exe COM Surrogate. Basically, it does not have it's own exe file, only dll.
To start Windows Photo Viewer from command line you would have to use

%SystemRoot%\System32\rundll32.exe "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Photo Viewer\PhotoViewer.dll", ImageView_Fullscreen %1

where %1 is a full path to a file.

Try making use of the "Run DOS command" or the "Write to CMD session" actions of PAD.

Option 2.
If you are ok then set the default file associations of image files on your windows to always open with the Windows Photo Viewer.
Got to the below screen in Windows

Another way to set the default app is to right click the image file -> Open With -> Choose Windows photo viewer (make sure to check the default box).

Once done, try launching just the image file and see whether it opens up in the windows photo viewer.