microsoft photos "save a frame" feature for videos is grayed out and i cannot use it

Question

I am reaching out because I was able to save a frame on videos playing in the app last week but now that option is grayed out but I still have space on my c drive. I uninstalled and reinstalled the app from the Microsoft store twice and it has not fixed the problem, please help.

device is a omnibook x flip 16 with windows 11 pro

Answer 1

Hi Dick Thompson,

Thank you for reaching out regarding the“Save a frame” option being grayed out when playing videos in the Photos app on your Omnibook X Flip 16.

This behavior is typically related to how the Photos app processes certain video formats or required media components, rather than available storage space on your device. In some cases, the option may appear unavailable if the app’s media decoding components or optional video codecs (such as HEVC) are not fully initialized after an update or app change.

Please try these possible options to move forward:

1, Repair or Reset the Photos App

• Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps
• Select Microsoft Photos
• Click Advanced options
• Choose Repair
• If the issue persists, select Reset

2, Check for Optional Video Codec Updates

• Open the Microsoft Store
• Go to Library > Get updates
• Install any available updates
• Search for HEVC Video Extensions and install if not already present

As an alternative, you may install Microsoft Photos Legacy from Microsoft Store, which continues to support frame extraction.

• Open the video with Photos Legacy
• Pause at the desired frame and select Save a photo

An additional workaround if needed, you may pause the video and press Windows + Shift + S to capture the frame using Snipping Tool.

Let me know if you need further assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Add Answer" if you cannot add comment so your response will be visible. Thanks for your effort.

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Answer 2

Hi there,

Thank you for posting this.

It looks like this is a Photos app player issue rather than storage related, and Microsoft notes that features like Save a frame can become grayed out if the app is corrupted, missing required video codecs (such as HEVC), or affected by a recent update, so please try repairing or resetting Microsoft Photos via Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Microsoft Photos > Advanced options, make sure all Microsoft Store app updates and optional media codecs are installed, and if it still persists, test with Microsoft Photos Legacy as an official workaround while the newer app is being addressed.

Here is the link for Microsoft Photos Legacy: Microsoft Photos Legacy

Please use this link for additional guidance and reference:

Microsoft troubleshooting

Repair apps and programs in Windows

If you found this information helpful, please select “Accept Answer” and consider giving it an upvote. If you have any follow‑up questions, feel free to use the “Comment” option.

Best regards,

Yaj S.