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Can not open old pictures

Suave CoohieFritto 0 Reputation points
2026-01-16T16:57:00.33+00:00

Pictures that have been on my computer for years are suddenly not opening with the notification stating i need to down load hvec or some other crap.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Apps
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  1. Emma1-N 7,375 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-01-19T06:59:56.0733333+00:00

    Welcome Suave CoohieFritto,

    Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum. I am sorry to hear about your issue when you cannot open your old picture.  

    Besides the earlier recommendations, you may find these additional options helpful:  

    Step 1: Download VLC 

    • Go to the official website to download VLC for the Windows version 
    • Run the installer (.exe file), accept defaults, and complete setup 
    • Launch VLC from your Start menu or desktop shortcut 

    Step 2: Open Your Pictures 

    • Drag and drop the picture file directly onto the VLC window 
    • Or, in VLC: Click Media > Open File, browse to your picture, select it, and hit Open  

    Step 3: Set as Default (Optional) 

    • Right-click a picture in File Explorer > Open with > Choose another app > VLC media player > Check "Always use this app." This auto-opens future files in VLC 

    I really hope that the information I gave above was helpful to you. Please feel free to reply below and let me know if you have further concern on this matter.    

    PS: If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".     

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread. 

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  2. DaveM121 883.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-01-16T17:35:01.3333333+00:00

    Open the Settings App.

    Go to Apps - Installed apps.

    Scroll down to find the Microsoft Photos app.

    Select that app, and choose 'Advanced Options.

    Perform the Repair option and the Reset option.

    Restart your PC and test if you can open the image files.

    If not, right click one of those image files and select Properties, please provide a screenshot of the resulting dialog box.

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  3. AI answer

    2026-01-16T16:57:07.1733333+00:00

    It seems that you are encountering an issue with opening old pictures due to a notification about needing to download the HEVC codec. This typically happens when the images are in a format that requires specific codecs to be viewed, such as HEIF or HEVC formats, which are common for high-efficiency image and video formats used by newer devices.

    To resolve this issue, you can try the following steps:

    1. Download the HEVC Video Extensions: You can find the HEVC Video Extensions in the Microsoft Store. Installing this extension will allow you to open HEVC and HEIF files.
    2. Check for Updates: Ensure your Windows 11 is up to date, as updates may include necessary codecs.
    3. Use a Different Photo Viewer: If the built-in Photos app is not working, consider using a different photo viewer that supports a wider range of formats.

    If these steps do not resolve your issue, you may want to convert the images to a more common format (like JPEG) using an image conversion tool.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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