Microsoft Photos - doesn't show thumbnails of pictures from the same folder

[tomaz]

I have Win11 and tested this on TC 10 and updated it to TC 11 with the same results.

I really like a preview of pictures in a current folder, but if I open a picture from TC (double click) it opens, but without a preview of other pictures in the current folder. If I open the same picture from Windows Explorer it opens with a preview of other pictures in a current folder!

Is it possible to achieve the same functionality if a picture is opened from TC ?

Here are pictures for better understanding:
1.) For example on C:\TEMP I put a few pictures:
Image: https://i.ibb.co/ykW4Rjw/1.jpg

2.) I open one with a double click or enter key - image is opened, BUT there is no preview of other pictures in the same folder:
Image: https://i.ibb.co/f0mGXLH/2.jpg

3.) If I open the same picture from Window Explorer
Image: https://i.ibb.co/GdmHGx5/3.jpg

4.) It opens and I can see a preview of other pictures in the same folder!
Image: https://i.ibb.co/V9jFhGv/4.jpg

Strange, don't you agree?
Maybe this will be a challenge to fix.

Tomaž.

[ghisler(Author)]

I have reported this bug many years ago to Microsoft, but never got a reply.
In short, Microsoft Photos only allows to browse through images when launched from Explorer, not from ANY other program.

[white]

I have reported this bug many years ago to Microsoft, but never got a reply.

8 years to be exact:

I asked in the Windows forums here:
windowsgeneraldevelopmentissues

There may be a way to go via IApplicationActivationManager, but it's very very complex, so I didn't have the time yet to try it. Getting the application id is very tricky.

I'm not aware of any Microsoft support which could be asked.

Perhaps it is a good idea to report it in the Microsoft Feedback-hub and to call on everyone to upvote it.

[tomaz]

Thanks for explaining.

[tomaz]

Wauu... https://www.ghisler.com/mailing.htm#1103

Windows 10 and newer: Open Windows Photo app with current directory parameter so it can switch through all images in the same folder as the opened image, configurable with PhotoAppFilter field

How come this is now possible? Did Microsoft change something? Was this issue in Microsoft's queue for 9 years and it finally came up for resolution?

[ghisler(Author)]

It isn't possible with regular Windows desktop functions like ShellExecute. You have to use a function available to the "Windows apps" only. There is a way to call these also from desktop programs. The function is called LaunchFileWithOptionsAsync, and you can pass files which should also be shown via function put_NeighboringFilesQuery.

[tomaz]

Thank you!