Windows Photo Viewer (WPV) is a default application in older versions of Windows, such as Windows 7. for viewing images. However, users sometimes encounter the "Not Enough Memory" error when trying to open images. This issue can be frustrating, especially when you have sufficient physical memory available.
The "Not Enough Memory" error in WPV typically appears under the following circumstances:
When attempting to open large image files.
When the system resources are heavily utilized.
Due to limitations or bugs within the WPV application itself.
Despite having adequate RAM and free disk space, WPV may fail to allocate the required memory for certain operations, leading to this error message.
Common Causes
Large Image Files:
WPV may struggle with very high-resolution images or those with large file sizes. This is because WPV attempts to load the entire image into memory, which can be demanding for large files.
System Resource Utilization:
If your system is running multiple applications simultaneously or has been running for a long period without a reboot, available resources may be insufficient for WPV to function correctly.
Outdated Software:
Older versions of WPV or Windows might contain bugs that lead to inefficient memory management.
Corrupted System Files:
Corrupted or missing system files can cause various issues, including memory allocation problems in applications like WPV.
Insufficient Virtual Memory:
Virtual memory (paging file) acts as an extension of your physical RAM. If the paging file is too small, it can lead to memory errors in applications.
Solutions
Restart Your Computer:
Often, simply restarting your computer can free up system resources and resolve memory allocation issues. This is the first step to try before moving on to more complex solutions.
Update Windows and WPV:
Ensure your operating system and WPV are up-to-date. Microsoft regularly releases updates that fix bugs and improve performance.
Steps:
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
Increase Virtual Memory:
Adjusting the size of the paging file can help if your system is running low on virtual memory.
Steps:
Right-click This PC or Computer on the desktop and select Properties.
Click Advanced system settings and navigate to the Advanced tab.
Under Performance, click Settings.
Go to the Advanced tab and click Change under Virtual memory.
Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
Select the drive where your system is installed (usually C:), choose Custom size, and set the Initial size and Maximum size values. A good rule of thumb is to set these to 1.5 times the size of your physical RAM.
Click Set, then OK, and restart your computer.
Check for System File Corruption:
Use the System File Checker (SFC) tool to repair corrupted system files.
Steps:
Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
Wait for the process to complete and follow any instructions if issues are found.
Clear Temporary Files:
Accumulated temporary files can take up valuable space and resources. Clearing them can help improve system performance.
Steps:
Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type temp and press Enter.
Delete all files in the temporary folder.
Repeat the process for %temp% and prefetch.
Reduce Image File Size:
If you're consistently having trouble with large images, consider reducing their size or resolution using an image editor before opening them in WPV.
Use an Alternative Photo Viewer:
If WPV continues to cause issues, consider using a different photo viewer. There are several free and reliable alternatives, such as IrfanView, XnView, or the built-in Photos app in Windows 10 and later versions.
Adjust System Performance Settings:
Tweaking performance settings can free up additional resources for applications.
Steps:
Right-click This PC or Computer and select Properties.
Click Advanced system settings and navigate to the Advanced tab.
Under Performance, click Settings.
Select Adjust for best performance or manually disable unnecessary visual effects.
Preventive Measures
Regular Maintenance:
Keep your system clean and optimized by performing regular maintenance tasks such as disk cleanup, defragmentation (for HDDs), and updating software.
Monitor Resource Usage:
Use Task Manager to monitor resource usage and identify any applications that are consuming excessive memory.
Avoid Running Multiple Intensive Applications Simultaneously:
Close any unnecessary applications when using WPV to ensure it has sufficient resources.
Upgrade Hardware:
If you frequently work with large images or other resource-intensive tasks, consider upgrading your RAM or switching to an SSD for better overall performance.
Regular Reboots:
Restart your computer regularly to clear temporary files and free up system resources.
