When you double-click an image file, Windows Photo Gallery launches but the image Preview may not displayed. Instead, the main window of Window Photo Gallery may be shown, as if no file name parameter was passed.

Fig 1: Main window of Windows Photo Gallery, with folders list on the left and thumbnails on the right.

Fig 2: Windows Photo Gallery displaying image preview.
This happens if the image file associations are messed up. Use these steps to fix the problem:
STEP 1
Download the file association registry fix for the file type (jpg/gif/png etc) which is experiencing the problem. Visit the File association fixes page, download and apply the appropriate .REG file(s). If that does not help, proceed to Step 2.
STEP 2
Using Default Programs, set Windows Photo Gallery as the default program for opening image file types.
1. Click Start, Default Programs.
2. Click Set your default programs.
3. Select Windows Photo Gallery.
4. Click the Set this program as default button.
5. Click OK.

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i had the same problem which happed to my Vista only a couple weeks ago after 1 year of “good service”
i didn’t know how to fix it and why it happens
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL HELP!!!!!
now it works as it used to
thanks again
Worked a treat, thanks!
Yes when I go to preview a photo in the photo gallery the photo will not preview. I get an error saying i dont have enough memory or i should close a program. neither of wich apply because i have plenty of memory and nothing is running. Yet I still can run the slide show and I still can preview in paint and windows media center will stiil let me preview and edit. I tried everything except what is suggested on this page. I tried applyng photo gallery as my default, henced nothing. which file association is it if thats the case and what should i do….uggggggggggggg. yes im running vista home premium…