How to Find/Restore Missing Pictures Folders in Windows?

“I’ve recently encountered an issue with my Windows 10. When I started my PC and opened File Explorer, I discovered that the Pictures folder was missing. I’ve done all the troubleshooting processes I know, but the folder didn’t show. How do I find it, please?”

Whenever this happens, many people ask: where is my Picture folder? The truth is that the folder is in your PC but not in its original location. In this post, we will explain the reasons why the picture folder may disappear and how to restore it.

Where is the Pictures Folder on Windows?

The Pictures folder is an in-built feature on Windows and it’s used to save photos, images, and screenshots. If you’re wondering where do I find my pictures on Windows? Simply launch File Explorer and click This PC. Scroll down to open the Picture folder.

❗NOTE: If you don’t find the Picture folder in this location, it means you’ve intentionally or accidentally changed the location path. Do not fret; the folder can still be restored.

Why is Windows Pictures Folder Missing?

These are the possible factors that can cause “Picture not found” in Windows:

• 📍Location Change: The default location of Windows photo app can be changed. So if you do, you won’t be able to find it in its original location path (in File Explorer)

• ☠️Virus Attack: When your Windows computer is infected with a virus or malware, the system can be affected, causing the Pictures folder to be deleted or moved to another location.

• 💫Picture Folder Hidden: The Pictures folder can be marked to be hidden, causing the folder to be invisible until it is unmarked.

• 👤Wrong User Account: If you sign into the computer with a different user account, you won’t have access to the Pictures folder.

How to Restore Missing Pictures Folder in Windows?

If you’re wondering where did my pictures go? These are the methods to find them. Follow the step-by-step process keenly to restore your pictures.

Unhide the Pictures Folder in the File Explorer

Windows allows you to hide files and folders, which can be beneficial when storing information you would like to be confidential. So, if you hide the Pictures folder, you will experience the “photo not found” issue.

👉To unhide the Pictures folder in the File Explorer, follow these steps:

• Open File Explorer from the taskbar.
• Navigate to the top, and click the View tab.
• Move to the Show/hide section and click the Hidden items box.

• All the files and folders that are hidden will show up, including your Pictures folder. You can now have access to your pictures.

Using Shell Command to Find Missing Pictures Folder

It’s possible that the location of the Pictures folder was changed accidentally or due to a virus attack, hence why you can’t find it in the default location. The next question will surely be: where is my Picture folder?

Instead of searching your whole computer for the folder, which you might not find, simply use the Shell Command to get the new location and restore your pictures.

👉These are the steps involved:

• Press the Windows and R keys at the same time to launch the Run application.
• Type shell:My Pictures and click OK.

• You will be transferred to a new window, containing all your pictures. Navigate to the top-right corner and click on the three horizontal dots. Select Properties. Make sure no picture was selected, else you will only see the properties for that picture.
• Move to the Location tab and select the Restore Default option. This will restore the Pictures folder to its original location (in File Explorer).

Reset the Quick Access Folders View

If you’re like me who opens pictures on my computer through the Quick Access menu in Windows File Explorer, it’s possible that the Pictures folder may suddenly disappear. This could be because the folder is no longer pinned or other frequently opened folders have replaced it.

👉You can easily remedy this situation by resetting the Quick Access menu by following these steps:

• Open File Explorer from the taskbar.
• Right-click on Quick Access and select Options.

• Navigate to the View tab and click Reset folders. This will reset the Quick Access menu to the default view settings, which has the Pictures folder.

Using the Registry Editor to Restore Missing Picture Folder

The Registry Editor is another Windows feature that can be used to find the Pictures folder, but it can have a negative impact if not done correctly.

👉Here’s how you can solve the “where are all my pictures” issue through the Registry Editor:

• Press the Windows and R keys at the same time to open the Run application.
• Type reggit and click OK.

• In the Registry Editor, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE
• Check through the list for My Pictures and double-click it.

• Under Value data, confirm if the location path is C:\Users\<username>\Pictures. If it’s not, edit to this location path. Replace <username> with your Windows username.

• Click OK. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer. The Pictures folder will be restored to its original location.

❗NOTE: This method is more technical than others and there’s no room for error, else your Windows system is at risk of distortion. So, it’s advisable you follow the steps carefully.

Bonus Tips: How to Recover Deleted Photos from Picture Folder?

If you mistakenly or intentionally deleted photos from the Pictures folder, it may be found in the Recycle Bin. But if it’s not there, you will need a reputable picture recovery software like ONERECOVERY. This Windows picture recovery software is used by hundreds of people across the world for its high success rate and retrieval of lost photos.

ONERECOVERY can preview pictures in folder Windows 11 and seamlessly recover them regardless of the format, such as JPG, PNG, JPEG, IMG, GIF, etc. It comes with a dual-scan mode – Quick Scan and Deep Scan, which thoroughly search for the deleted photos and ensure their 100% recovery and integrity. It has powerful features to recover deleted files from the Downloads folder.

👉Follow these steps to recover deleted photos from Pictures folder using ONERECOVERY:

• Download and install ONERECOVERY Picture Recovery Software on your computer.

• Launch the software and select the drive where the pictures were stored before deletion.

• ONERECOVERY immediately begins to search for all deleted pictures in the drive, including the corrupted and overwritten pictures.

• Preview the pictures, select the ones you want to restore, and click Recover.

Conclusion

We’ve examined the various reasons why your Pictures folder might be missing, as well as the proven solutions to restore them. With this, you won’t have to wonder, where is my picture folder? You can simply find it and access your photos.

FAQs on Finding Windows Picture Folder

Continue reading to gain more insight and understanding about recovering missing Pictures folder.

1️⃣How to Put Pictures in a Folder?

👉Here are the steps to follow:

• Create a new folder where you want to put the pictures.
• Go to the location where the pictures are currently stored. Select the pictures and press Ctrl + C to copy them.
• Go to the new folder you created and press Ctrl + V to put the pictures.

2️⃣How to View Photos in a Folder?

👉Follow these steps to view photo in a folder:

• Open the folder.
• Select the photo you want to view, right-click on it, and choose to view using your preferred photo app.

3️⃣How to Change Pictures Folder Location in Windows?

👉Here are the steps to change Pictures folder location in Windows:

• Press the Windows and R keys simultaneously to open the Run application.
• Type shell:My Pictures and click OK.
• Click on the three horizontal dots at the top-right corner. Select Properties.
• Click Move and choose the new location to store the Pictures folder.