The error code ‘Photos File system error (-2147219196)’ in Windows may occur when there is any issue with the file system that prevents the Photos app from functioning correctly. This error is commonly associated with problems such as corrupted system files, misconfigurations, or issues within the Photos app itself. This error prevents the app from launching and showing your desired images which is quite common for Windows 10 users these days.
The main cause of this error is the faulty and broken Photos app version 2024.11010.10002.0. Microsoft is working to fix this bug and soon you will get an update through Store.
Table of Contents
Photos File system error (-2147219196) in Windows
Here is how to fix Photos File system error (-2147219196) in Windows:
Update Your Photos App
Your Photos App may be outdated which is why you are getting the Photos File system error (-2147219196). Updating this can fix bugs, improve features, and enhance the stability of the application.
Here is how you can update the Photos app and resolve the error:
- Open your Microsoft Store, and click the three dots situated at the top.
- Now, choose “Downloads and updates”.
- Then, click on “Get updates”.
- If any updated version of the Photos app is available, you will see it here and click on “Update”.
Read: Fix: ‘The Wait Operation Timed Out’ Error in Photos App Windows 10
Re-Register Photos App
Sometimes, the error may be the result of critical issues that require the utilization of Registry Editor to get it fixed. Apply the below steps carefully to resolve the issue:
- Go to the Windows Search bar and type “Powershell”.
- Now, right-click on the result and choose “Run as administrator”.
- In the command prompt, type
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
- Hit “Enter” and wait for the process to finish.
- In the same way run the following command:
Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_. InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}- Restart your PC and check for the file system error.
Reinstall Your Photos App
Many users have reported that reinstalling the app got them the solution to the Photos File system error (-2147219196). Basically, it removes corrupted files and malefactions to make the process easy for the app to open images.
First, you must uninstall the Photos app to reinstall it on your PC. Here is a detailed guide to systematically uninstall and reinstall Photos App on Windows:
- Type “PowerShell” in your Windows search and right-click on PowerShell to run it as administrator.
- Now, paste
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.Photos | Remove-AppxPackage
- and hit “Enter” to uninstall the Photos App.
- Then, download the Windows Photo installation package on your PC. Extract the downloaded zip file to a chosen location.
- Now, open Command Prompt using the search bar and run it as administrator.
- Paste
<PsExec location>PsExec.exe -sid c:windowssystem32cmd.exe- and hit “Enter”.
- You will get a pop-up where click on “Agree”.
- A new command prompt will appear. Type the given command and press “Enter”:
rd/s“C:ProgramFilesWindowsAppsMicrosoft.Windows.Photos_2017.37071.16410.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe”- Finally, press “Y” to confirm it.
See: How to uninstall and reinstall Photos app in Windows 11 or 10
Run Microsoft Store Apps Troubleshooter
First, when you encounter this error, you should run the Microsoft Store Apps Troubleshooter to detect and repair issues in Store apps which includes the Photos app as well.
The tool will fix all corrupted files, misconfigurations, and app inconsistencies to solve this error and ensure smooth functionality. Here is how you can run the Troubleshooter:
- Open Windows settings with “Windows+I”.
- Select “Update & Security”.
- Now, click “Troubleshoot” on the left.
- Select “Additional troubleshooters”.
- Scroll down and choose “Windows Store Apps”.
- Finally, click “Run the Troubleshooter” to automatically identify and fix the issue.
Reset & Repair Your Photos App
Resetting and repairing the app is a proven method to combat Photos File system errors on Windows. This process reverts back the application to its default state, rectifying glitches, corrupted settings, and functionality issues.
You can easily elevate your user experience and effortlessly resolve this system error by following the below steps:
- Click on the “Start” button and hit “Settings”.
- Navigate to “Apps > Apps & Features”.
- Now, find and click on the “Microsoft Photos” App.
- Click on “Advanced Options”
- Then, hit “Reset” and “Repair”.
- Finally, restart your computer and check for the error 2147219196.
Install the Latest Windows Update
The occurrence of Photos File system error (-2147219196) is recognized as a prevalent issue among Windows 10 users. As a proactive measure, a bug fix addressing this concern is anticipated in the latest Windows Update.
To get your Window updated and resolve the file system error efficiently, follow the below steps:
- Press “Win+I” to open Settings.
- Go to “Update & Security” and wait for Windows to check updates.
- Install the latest Windows Update if there is any, restart your computer, and check whether the error persists.
Run System File Checker or SFC
Corrupted system files can contribute to the occurrence of Photos File system error (-2147219196) on your Windows. That is where the System File Checker (SFC), the native Windows utility, can facilitate the identification and repair of corrupted system files.
Therefore, it is recommended to initiate an SFC scan upon encountering this error to automatically restore corrupted system files on your device. Apply the following steps to initiate the scan:
- Enter “cmd” in your Windows search box.
- Right-click on “Command Prompt” to run it as administrator.
- You will see a pop-up window, enter
sfc /scannowand press Enter. - Wait for the scan to finish on your PC and restart after the completion.
Initiate Booting in Clean Boot
Clean Booting minimizes conflicts by selectively disabling start-up programs and services to allow you to identify and resolve issues seamlessly.
If you are yet to get the solution for the Photos File system error (-2147219196), here is the final method for you, try booting in a clean boot by applying the below steps:
- Press “Windows+R” and open the Run prompt.
- Type “msconfig” and hit “Enter”.
- Now, click on “Services” and uncheck “Hide all Microsoft Services”.
- Tap on “Disable All”, and click “Ok”.
- Then, open “Task Manager” from the “Startup” tab.
- Click on “Startup”, and disable all the ‘Enabled’ apps available. You should disable all the apps one by one.
- Now, restart your computer.
- There it is, your PC is booted in a clean boot state.
- Then, try to access your Windows photo viewer app and check whether the issue is gone.
- If it is resolved, that means, one of the applications has the problem. Now, enable all the disabled services one by one again. Make sure that you check
- The Photos File system error every time you enable an application to identify and keep the problematic service disabled.
Try Other Photo Viewer Application
If none of the above methods can fix(-2147219196), then, you should now look for another photo viewer available in the Windows store.
It is not like you can only open photos using the Photos app, give shots to other applications as well to make things easy for you.
That’s all!!