How to Fix “Invalid Value for Registry” Error When Viewing Photos?

The Invalid Value For Registry error often arises when users upgrade their Windows version to the latest. There are chances that when the user upgrades Windows to the newer version, all files might not be updated, and the photos app might be left outdated, which is the leading cause of this issue.

How to Fix Invalid Value For Registry
How to Fix Invalid Value For Registry

We had a research and discovered more reasons that can be included directly or indirectly in causing Invalid Value For the Registry. Although there could be various reasons, we have mentioned the main of them below:-

  • Corrupted Photos App- It’s been a while since Microsoft apps get corrupted and throw errors like this one. To avoid this, you will have to reset the Microsoft app.
  • Corrupted System Files- As it turns out, corrupt system files can lead you to the Error: Invalid Value For the Registry. You can fix this by running system repair commands.
  • Corrupted Image Files- There is a good possibility that the image file you are trying to open gets corrupted, which is more likely to happen when the user attempts to switch or upgrade Windows. However, you can restore image files by utilizing third-party software, but we prefer to apply the below methods first. If that does not work, use any restore image software that might fix your problem.
  • Outdated Photos App- If the media app you are using gets outdated, then, therefore, it can cause Error: Invalid Value For Registry. To fix this, update your app to the newer version.

1. Reset or Repair Photos App

The first solution on the list is to reset the photos app that will reconfigure the settings as default and delete the app’s cache data that might get corrupted.

  1. To reset the Microsoft Photos App, click Start Menu and type Settings in the search bar
    Launching Windows Settings
    Launching Windows Settings
  2. Open settings and navigate to Apps & Features
  3. Find and select Microsoft Photos App then click Advanced Options

    Click Advanced Options
    Click Advanced Options
  4. Scroll down to the bottom and click Repair
  5. If that does not work, try to Reset Microsoft Photos App

    Reset or Repair Microsoft Photos App
    Reset or Repair Microsoft Photos App
  6. Once done, open the problematic image file and check if the issue persists.

2. Modify the Registry settings

When the user updates their Windows to the newer version, all files might not be updated and there is a good possibility that specific files from the Photos App are left outdated in the form of entries. You need to delete them from the registry to fix Error: Invalid Value For Registry.

Remember that before making any significant changes, create a registry backup that might be needed in the future if something goes wrong.

Follow the steps to modify the registry editor:-

  1. Press the Windows + R keys to open a run dialog box
  2. Type regedit and press Enter

    Open Registry Editor
    Open Registry Editor
  3. Click Yes when asked for permission
  4. Once the registry is opened, navigate to the following path
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModel\Repository\Families\Microsoft.Windows.Photos_8wekyb3d8bbwe

    Note:  Now you have to delete individual keys one by one. For that, you will need the extra permissions which are not included in the administrator account.

  5. To get permissions, right-click on the parent folder of Microsoft.Windows.Photos and select Permissions from the listed options
    Getting Permissions to Delete Microsoft Photos keys
    Getting Permissions to Delete Microsoft Photos keys
  6. A new screen will appear, click Advanced from the bottom right of the Windows
    Open Advanced Permissions Settings
    Open Advanced Permissions Settings
  7. Then click Change and type your username in the upcoming Window
    Click Change
    Click Change
  8.  After that, click Check Names to select the proper username with the computer name
  9. Now press OK to close the Window then click Apply on the Advance Security Settings and click OK to close it
    Enter Username
    Enter Username
  10. Come back to the permissions Window and select your username then tick the Full Control option to get full authority of the folder
  11. Once done click Apply and then OK

    Getting Full Control of the Folder
    Getting Full Control of the Folder
  12. Now right-click on each entry under the parent folder of Microsoft.Windows.Photos
  13. Click Delete then click Yes if asked for the confirmation
    Removing Entries
    Removing Entries
  14. Once all is done, restart your computer and the keys will again appear in the registry editor.
  15. Check if the Error: Invalid Value For Registry is fixed.

3. Run SFC /Scannow

A corrupted file is one of the main factors that may contribute to causing this issue. Usually, the corruption of any file is due to the system’s random shutdowns that intercept the running background processes, which can cause a corrupted file. To fix this, you must run a command to replace the corrupt file with the cache as Windows saves these cache files for its programs and services.

  1. To run the repair commands, click Start Menu and type Command Prompt
  2. Right-click on the Command prompt and choose Run As Administrator

    Running Command Prompt in Administrator Mode
    Running Command Prompt in Administrator Mode
  3. Click Yes when asked for permissions
  4. Once the terminal is opened, put the below command to repair files and press Enter
    sfc /scannow
    Repairing Windows Files
    Repairing Windows Files
  5. Once done check if the issue persists.

4. Update Microsoft Photos App

Having an outdated Microsoft Photos App might involve in causing this issue because when there is a major update available for the application, and the user does not update it, then the application will not run like before and can throw the Error: Invalid Value For Registry. You can update the app by following the app below:-

Note: In case you have an outdated Windows Photo Viewer, then you will have to update your Windows from the settings to get the latest version of Windows Photo Viewer.

  1. To update Microsoft Photos, click Start Menu and type Microsoft Store
  2. Open Microsoft Store and go to Downloads and Updates. For the click on three dots from the top right and select Downloads and Updates

    Click Downloads and Updates
    Click Downloads and Updates
  3. Once you navigate, click the Update All option
    Updating Microsoft Applications
    Updating Microsoft Applications
  4. If the Microsft photo is outdated, then this will update the application to the latest.

5. Run App Troubleshooter

If none of the methods works, you can use the Windows app troubleshooter which allows users to fix the problems regarding the Windows Store Apps.

  1. To run the app troubleshooter, open Settings by pressing the Windows + I keys simultaneously
  2. Navigate to Update & Security

    Navigating to Update & Security
    Navigating to Update & Security
  3. Click Troubleshoot from the left pane then click Additional Troubleshooters

    Navigating to Additional Troubleshooters
    Navigating to Additional Troubleshooters
  4. Scroll down to the bottom and select Windows Store Apps
  5. Then click Run the Troubleshooter. It will automatically find and repair the files that causing issue
    Run Windows App Troubleshooter
    Run Windows App Troubleshooter
  6. Once done, check if the Invalid Value For the Registry is fixed.

6. Reinstall Photo App

You can also reinstall the Photos App if all else are failed to resolve. The issue is more probably can be due to corrupted and outdated files which will fix after you reinstall the media app.

  1. To reinstall the Microsoft Photo App, type Windows PowerShell and run it as an administrator by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Enter simultaneously
    Launching PowerShell in Administrator Mode
    Launching PowerShell in Administrator Mode
  2. Now insert the below command to uninstall Windows Photo App and press Enter

    Get-AppxPackage *photo* | Remove-AppxPackage
    Uninstalling Microsoft Photos App
    Uninstalling Microsoft Photos App
  3. Now install the fresh application from the Microsoft Store
    Installing Microsoft Photos App
    Installing Microsoft Photos App
  4. Once done, check if the error persists.

7. Create a New Local Account To Use Photos App

Fortunately, there is another way for fixing this issue is to create another local account for your Windows and check if this fixes the Invalid Value For the Registry. According to the affected users, this method should work for all the users who are encountering Invalid Value For the Registry.

  1. To create a new local account, go to settings by pressing the Windows + I keys simultaneously
  2. Navigate to Accounts and click Family and Other Users from the left pane
    Click Family and Other Users
    Click Family and Other Users
  3. If you want to make a separate local account not a Microsoft account then unplug the Ethernet cable from the CPU and click on Add someone else to This PC

    Click Add Someone Else to this PC
    Click Add Someone Else to this PC
  4. Now put the username, password and confirm password into the boxes then press Next

    Creating New Local Account
    Creating New Local Account
  5. Once done, log on to the newly created user account. For that click the Start Menu > User Icon  > Sign Out
  6. Once you log in, check if the Invalid Value For the Registry persists.

If none of the methods worked, you may need to reset Windows OS that will re-create all the files, and remove the corrupted files that may responsible for the Error: Invalid Value For the Registry to occur.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hamza Mohammad Anwar


Hamza Mohammad Anwar is an intermediate JavaScript web developer with a focus on developing high-performance applications using MERN technologies. His skill set includes expertise in ReactJS, MongoDB, Express NodeJS, and other related technologies. Hamza is also a Google IT Certified professional, which highlights his competence in IT support. As an avid problem-solver, he recreates errors on his computer to troubleshoot and find solutions to various technical issues.