Creating a slideshow of your favorite photos on Windows 10 is pretty straightforward, but sometimes things aren’t so smooth. Maybe the default Photos app isn’t cooperating, or you’re just not sure how to get it to run a slideshow without fuss. This guide should help you turn your picture collection into a smooth, engaging show—whether it’s for a family gathering, showing off that recent trip, or just passing the time. Once you get the hang of it, it’s simple enough to do without any extra software, but there are some tricks to make it easier and look better.
How to View Photos in Slideshow on Windows 10
In this part, I’ll walk you through the steps to make a slideshow happen using the built-in Windows 10 tools. It’s kind of weird, but sometimes the process is more reliable if you go through the Photos app directly rather than trying to do it from Explorer or other apps. Expect a quick setup that gets your images playing in a nice full-screen display. And yeah, if you’re tired of manually clicking, there are some shortcut tricks you can add later.
Open the Folder with Your Photos
- First, open File Explorer (This PC or Quick Access are fine places).
- Navigate to where your photos are stored, whether it’s in Pictures or some random folder.
- Tip: Keep all the photos you want in the same folder for easier management.
Select the Photos You Want in the Slideshow
- You can select all by pressing Ctrl + A, or hold Ctrl and click on specific images.
- This step is all about picking the good stuff—you don’t want random junk showing up, right?
- Note: If you want a particular order, consider renaming files with numbers or making a playlist in some slideshow software later.
Open with Photos App
- Right-click on one of the selected images, pick Open with, then choose Photos.
- This is crucial—Windows tends to default to the Photos app, but it might not always remember your preference.
- Pro tip: Sometimes, opening the folder with Photos first, then clicking on the images might yield better results.
Start the Slideshow
- In the upper right corner of Photos, click the three-dot menu icon (More options) and select Slideshow.
- This’ll kick off your slideshow, and it should automatically go full-screen, cycling through your selected images.
- Heads up: On some setups, the slideshow might bug out if you run other apps in the background, so close unnecessary programs first.
Once that’s done, sit back and watch as your photos entertain you. It’s surprisingly smooth most of the time, but if it’s choppy or doesn’t start, try closing the app and restarting it. Sometimes Windows throws a fit, and a reboot can fix weird bugs.
Tips for Better Slideshow Fun
- Keep your images in one folder—makes it easier to manage.
- Rename images with prefixes or numbers if you want a specific order.
- High-res photos look way better in full-screen mode, so avoid tiny images for the main slideshow.
- If you want to add music or fancy transitions, you’ll need to switch to more advanced software like IrfanView or PhotoStage.
- Creating themed folders (vacation, cute cats, family) can make the slideshow more fun and less cluttered.
FAQs That Might Pop Up
Can I pause the slideshow?
Yeah, just click anywhere on the screen or press Esc to pause or exit. Not the most elegant, but it works.
How to speed up or slow down the slideshow?
In the Photos app, you can tweak slideshow settings—look for options like delay timing or transition effects. Honestly, it’s a bit limited, so for more control, third-party apps are better.
Can I add music directly?
Windows 10’s Photos app doesn’t do music with slideshows. You’ll need a different app like VLC or Windows Movie Maker, or dump your images into a video editing tool.
Is it possible to run slideshows offline?
Of course. As long as your images are stored locally, no internet needed. Just don’t rely on cloud folders.
Can I do multiple monitors?
- Kind of a headache. You might need third-party software or specific display settings, especially if you want the slideshow on a second monitor while working on the first.
Summary
- Open the folder.
- Select your photos.
- Right-click and choose Open with > Photos.
- Start the slideshow from the menu.
Wrap-up
Getting a slideshow running on Windows 10 isn’t always perfect, but once you know the ins and outs, it’s pretty easy to pull off. If the built-in tools bug out or don’t give you enough customization, there are other apps out there, but for most casual viewing, this method works just fine. Just keep your images organized, and fun moments will roll by in no time. Fingers crossed this helps someone get a better slideshow going without pulling their hair out.