How to Change the Default Photo Display Program in Windows XP

Sometimes, image files on your computer open with a program that you don't prefer or just don't like. If you have Administrator privileges on your computer, follow these tips to change the default program used to display your images files.

Things You'll Need

• Administrator privileges on your computer

Instructions

1. Access your computer's "Start Menu" and select "Control Panel." Select "Switch to Classic View" under the menu on the left side of the Control Panel's screen. Double-click on "Folder Options."

2. Click on the "File Types" tab. Scroll down the "Extensions" list until you find "JPG." Highlight it. Read the information under "Details for JPG Extension." The program immediately following the words "Opens with" identifies the program used to open all JPG files when clicked.

3. Choose "Change." Select the new program with which to open all JPG files. Experiment with different programs or choose a program listed under "Recommended Programs." A popular option is "Windows Picture and Fax Viewer." You may also choose an unlisted program by clicking "Browse" and finding it on your computer.

4. Verify that the "Always Use the Selected Program to Open This Kind of File" is checked so that every JPG file will open with the program.

5. Repeat the previous steps for other image file types. You may want to change display programs for "JPEG," "JPE," "GIF," "PNG," "BMP," "TIFF" and "JFIF."

6. Make your changes permanent by clicking "OK."

Tips & Warnings

• You may also right-click on individual images and open them with a non-associated program by choosing "Open With" and selecting a program. To make the changes permanent, scroll down to "Choose Program," select a program and check "Use the Selected Program to Open This Kind of File."

• You may have other image types on your computer. Try to keep each image file extension associated with its native program or programs that are not known to conflict with the extension type.