Solved Cannot set XnView MP as default image viewer in Windows 11 (25H2) – associations fail even with admin, registry, and “Open with” methods


yastil

yastil

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Windows 11 Pro 25H2 build 26200.8457
Hello,

I have a problem setting XnView MP as the default image viewer in Windows 11 (25H2), and nothing I try seems to work. The system keeps refusing the file associations.

Problem description:
When I try to set file associations in XnView MP (for all image types), the program shows an error like: “Failed, try with administrator privileges,” even when I run it as administrator.

What I have already tried:

  1. Running XnView MP as Administrator and attempting to set associations inside the program.
  2. Looking for the Integration / File Associations section (not present or not working in my version).
  3. Setting defaults via Windows Settings:
    Settings → Apps → Default apps →
    • Set defaults by app (XnView MP)
    • Choose defaults by file type (.jpg, .png, .bmp, .gif, .tiff, .webp, etc.)
  4. Right-click method:
    Open with → Choose another app → XnView MP → “Always use this app” (does not work).
  5. Importing a custom .reg file assigning all image formats to XnViewMP.exe (saved without BOM, imported successfully).
  6. Restarting the system after registry changes.
  7. Verifying the correct program path:
    C:\Program Files\XnViewMP\XnViewMP.exe
Result:

  • Windows still ignores the associations and images do not open in XnView MP.
  • Some formats (especially JPG/PNG) seem to be forced back to the Photos app.
  • Even with administrator rights, the associations cannot be permanently changed.
Question:
Is there a protection mechanism in newer Windows 11 builds that blocks changing default image associations?
Is there any official or reliable method to globally set XnView MP as the default viewer for all image formats without Windows resetting or ignoring the associations?

Thank you for any technical advice.
 
Windows Build/Version
Windows 25H2 build 26200.7840

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 build 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build (Gigabyte)
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B650M GAMING X AX
    Memory
    RAM: 64 GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT (16 GB)
    Sound Card
    Realtek (onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 PRO 1 TB (NVMe)
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX Master
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    13ms/250Mbps/25Mbps
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender
    Other Info
    UEFI, Secure Boot ON, TPM 2.0 ON
I would make sure that there is no other program set as default for these file extensions( .jpg, .png, .bmp, .gif, .tiff, .webp. )I use XNnView standard and do not have this issue.
 

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System One System Two

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    Windows11 Pro 26200.8524
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Alienware Aurora R16
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 14900F (24 -Core, 68 MB Total Cache)
    Motherboard
    Dell Alienware
    Memory
    32GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 4080 Super w/581.95
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    Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Corsair XENEON 32QHD165
    Screen Resolution
    2560 X 1440
    Hard Drives
    1-2TB Samsung 990 Pro PCIe NVMe M2 SSD
    1-4TB Samsung 990 Pro PCIe NVMe M2 SSD
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    1000 Watt Platinum Dell
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    Alienware
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    Liquid Closed Loop
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    Logitech MK270 Wireless Keyboard
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    Logitech MK270 Wireless
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    100Gb's Down-20 Up
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    Firefox 151.0.2
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    Defender
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    Very Quiet And Fast
    CyberPower UPS CP1500PFCLCD
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    PClinuxOS Mate (2025.7)
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    Intel
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    13th Gen Inter(R) Core(TM) i3-1315U
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    Intel
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    64 GB DDR4 @3200 MHz.
    Graphics card(s)
    Internal
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    None
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 2419HGCF
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
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    SAMSUNG 980 PRO SSD 2TB, PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280
    PSU
    Chicony 30 Watt
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    Small
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    Dell
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    Razor
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    1GB
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    Slimjet
  • Like
Reactions: OAT
@yastil,

This has always worked for me.
Right click on photo, properties, Change and select the app/program.

photo.webp
 

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System One System Two

  • OS
    All Branches but Release
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Nitro ANV15-51
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS 3200-4500 Mhz 8 cores x 2
    Motherboard
    Sportage_RBH
    Memory
    32 GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphic / NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    AMD/Realtek(R) Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Integrated Monitor (15.3"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    FHD 1920X1080 16:9 144Hz
    Hard Drives
    KINGSTON OM8SEP4512Q-AA 1TB
    Western Digital 256GB
    PSU
    19V DC 6.32 A 120 W
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    MS Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    Fiber 1GB Cox -us & 1GB Orange-fr
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    Edge Canary- Firefox Nightly-Chrome Dev-Chrome Dev
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Beta
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus X751BP
    CPU
    AMD A9-9420
    Memory
    8 GB of DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon R5
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1 TB
Hello,


Thank you for your suggestions.


I want to clarify that I am currently using Total Commander version 9.51.


Because of this, some of the newer options like “Custom associations” are not available in my version.
As a result, even though I’ve tried changing the Windows default apps, using registry edits, running XnView MP as administrator, and using “Open with → Always use this app,” Total Commander 9.51 still opens images with the Windows Photos app on Windows 11 25H2.


So the issue seems to be related to the combination of Windows 11 protecting default image associations and older TC version 9.51, which cannot override these defaults.


I wanted to clarify this so that suggestions are relevant to my version of Total Commander.


Thank you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 build 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build (Gigabyte)
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B650M GAMING X AX
    Memory
    RAM: 64 GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT (16 GB)
    Sound Card
    Realtek (onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 PRO 1 TB (NVMe)
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX Master
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    13ms/250Mbps/25Mbps
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender
    Other Info
    UEFI, Secure Boot ON, TPM 2.0 ON
yastil said:
Hello,


Thank you for your suggestions.


I want to clarify that I am currently using Total Commander version 9.51.


Because of this, some of the newer options like “Custom associations” are not available in my version.
As a result, even though I’ve tried changing the Windows default apps, using registry edits, running XnView MP as administrator, and using “Open with → Always use this app,” Total Commander 9.51 still opens images with the Windows Photos app on Windows 11 25H2.


So the issue seems to be related to the combination of Windows 11 protecting default image associations and older TC version 9.51, which cannot override these defaults.


I wanted to clarify this so that suggestions are relevant to my version of Total Commander.


Thank you.
Click to expand...
Any reason why you're not using the latest version 11.56 released last August?

Total Commander - home

Homepage of Total Commander, a file manager replacement for Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10/11
www.ghisler.com www.ghisler.com
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    EVGA home brew
    CPU
    Broadwell-e 6850K 4.5ghz @1.36v
    Motherboard
    EVGA X99 FTW K
    Memory
    32GB Corsair LPM 3600 C16
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 3080Ti FTW
    Sound Card
    Asus Centurion true 7.1 headset. (5 speakers in each earpeice)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG C4 55"
    Screen Resolution
    4K 144hz
    Hard Drives
    Various models of SSDs ~10TB No HDDs installed.
    PSU
    be quiet! BN516 Straight Power 12-1000w 80 Plus Platinum
    Case
    Corsair 780T modified to dual 200mm intake fans
    Cooling
    Corsair H110i
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 Platinum
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 RGB Elite
    Internet Speed
    50Mbs
yastil said:
Hello,


I wanted to clarify this so that suggestions are relevant to my version of Total Commander.


Thank you.
Click to expand...
Total Commander 9.51 does not support Win 11.
A lot of win32 legacy code has been dropped in 25H2 as well, this probably explains the issue you are having.
Have you tried 11.56? It seems to support win11 or you haven't switched because it's shareware?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    All Branches but Release
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Nitro ANV15-51
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS 3200-4500 Mhz 8 cores x 2
    Motherboard
    Sportage_RBH
    Memory
    32 GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphic / NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    AMD/Realtek(R) Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Integrated Monitor (15.3"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    FHD 1920X1080 16:9 144Hz
    Hard Drives
    KINGSTON OM8SEP4512Q-AA 1TB
    Western Digital 256GB
    PSU
    19V DC 6.32 A 120 W
    Cooling
    Dual Fans
    Mouse
    MS Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    Fiber 1GB Cox -us & 1GB Orange-fr
    Browser
    Edge Canary- Firefox Nightly-Chrome Dev-Chrome Dev
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Beta
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus X751BP
    CPU
    AMD A9-9420
    Memory
    8 GB of DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon R5
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1 TB
OAT said:
Total Commander 9.51 does not support Win 11.
A lot of win32 legacy code has been dropped in 25H2 as well, this probably explains the issue you are having.
Have you tried 11.56? It seems to support win11 or you haven't switched because it's shareware?
Click to expand...

OAT said:
Total Commander 9.51 does not support Win 11.
A lot of win32 legacy code has been dropped in 25H2 as well, this probably explains the issue you are having.
Have you tried 11.56? It seems to support win11 or you haven't switched because it's shareware?
Click to expand...
Hello,


Thank you for your explanation.


I understand now that Total Commander 9.51 is no longer compatible with Windows 11, especially with build 25H2, where some legacy 32-bit code was removed.
That explains why the image associations did not work correctly.


I have now switched to Total Commander 11.56, which fully supports Windows 11, and XnView MP works as expected.
Therefore, the issue has been resolved, and no further troubleshooting is needed.


I appreciate your guidance.


Best regards,
yastil
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 build 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build (Gigabyte)
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte B650M GAMING X AX
    Memory
    RAM: 64 GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT (16 GB)
    Sound Card
    Realtek (onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 PRO 1 TB (NVMe)
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX Master
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    13ms/250Mbps/25Mbps
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender
    Other Info
    UEFI, Secure Boot ON, TPM 2.0 ON
  • Like
Reactions: OAT
yastil said:
  • Some formats (especially JPG/PNG) seem to be forced back to the Photos app.
  • Even with administrator rights, the associations cannot be permanently changed.
Click to expand...
Same here, it is not only XnView it also happens with IrfanView.
Sometimes, after a Photos App or Windows update.

Not frequent enough to worry about, I just change them back.

I do not have Total Commander.
Not so sure of it being solved.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
Helmut said:
Same here, it is not only XnView it also happens with IrfanView.
Sometimes, after a Photos App or Windows update.

Not frequent enough to worry about, I just change them back.

I do not have Total Commander.
Not so sure of it being solved.
Click to expand...
I found the Photo APP way too intrusive and have removed it from my systems.
Like you, IrfanView is my program of choice.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    All Branches but Release
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Nitro ANV15-51
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS 3200-4500 Mhz 8 cores x 2
    Motherboard
    Sportage_RBH
    Memory
    32 GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphic / NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    AMD/Realtek(R) Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Integrated Monitor (15.3"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    FHD 1920X1080 16:9 144Hz
    Hard Drives
    KINGSTON OM8SEP4512Q-AA 1TB
    Western Digital 256GB
    PSU
    19V DC 6.32 A 120 W
    Cooling
    Dual Fans
    Mouse
    MS Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    Fiber 1GB Cox -us & 1GB Orange-fr
    Browser
    Edge Canary- Firefox Nightly-Chrome Dev-Chrome Dev
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Beta
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus X751BP
    CPU
    AMD A9-9420
    Memory
    8 GB of DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon R5
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1 TB
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