[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Photo Viewer\Capabilities\FileAssociations] ".jpg"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff" ".jpeg"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff" ".png"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff" ".bmp"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff" ".gif"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff" ".tif"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff" ".tiff"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff" ".ico"="PhotoViewer.FileAssoc.Tiff"

If you want the snappy performance of IrfanView but with a modern, clean interface that fits Windows 8.1, ImageGlass is your top choice. It loads images almost instantly and places key functions like rotation and zoom on an easy-to-access top bar. It's open-source, free, and a fantastic upgrade from the built-in Photos app.

In classic Windows operating systems, Windows Photo Viewer is not a standard standalone program (like notepad.exe ). Instead, it exists as a dynamic link library file called PhotoViewer.dll hidden deep inside the C:\Program Files\Windows Photo Viewer directory.

If you don't like it, you simply delete the folder. No uninstallation loops required.