Get Back Mouse Scroll To Next/Previous Picture Feature In Photos App In Windows 10

Up until a few weeks ago, Windows 10 users could switch to the next/previous image in the queue by scrolling the mouse wheel while viewing pictures in the default Photos app. In short, we could easily see the next/previous picture by scrolling the mouse wheel.

About a month ago, Microsoft updated the Photos app. The update changed the default scroll behavior while using the Photos app. The Photos app no longer displays the next/previous image when you scroll the mouse wheel. Instead, it zooms in or out depending on how you scroll the wheel.

As you know, most classic desktop programs support this zooming in or out using the mouse scroll wheel. According to Microsoft, many users requested this zoom in and zoom out using the scroll wheel instead of switching to the next/previous picture. Even the classic Windows Photo Viewer also supports zoom in and zoom out using the mouse scroll wheel. So, the Photos app now behaves like most other photos viewing programs out there for Windows 10.

While many users are happy with the new behavior of the Photos app, users who were using the scroll to see the next/previous picture want to restore the old behavior of the Photos app.

If you’re wondering how to switch to the next/previous image in the latest version of Photos app, use the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard to quickly see the next or previous picture.

Restore scroll to next/previous picture behavior in Photos app

Since Photos app can’t be downgraded to the previous version, you need to either use the classic Windows Photo Viewer or use an AutoHotKey script to restore the old behavior.

Follow the given below directions to make the Photos app display the next/previous picture when you scroll the mouse wheel in Windows 10.

Step 1: The first step is to download and install AutoHotKey software. For those who are reading about AutoHotKey for the first time, it’s a very popular free software, and safe to use as well.

Step 2: Once AutoHotKey is installed, copy the below code into Notepad, and save the script with any name but with .AHK extension.

SetBatchLines, -1
#SingleInstance, Force

#If MouseIsOver(“ahk_class ApplicationFrameWindow”)
WheelUp::Right
WheelDown::Left

MouseIsOver(WinTitle) {
MouseGetPos,,, Win
Return WinExist(WinTitle . ” ahk_id ” . Win)
}

Step 3: Run the saved script by double-clicking on it. That’s it! Launch the Photos app now. You should now be able to view the next/previous picture in the queue by scrolling the mouse wheel.

To close AutoHotKey and the script, right-click on AutoHotKey icon in the system tray, click Exit to close the program, or click Pause Script option to pause the script.

 

The LightGallery is another excellent third-party picture viewer for Windows 10. And if the Photos app is not opening, please refer to our fix to Photos app not opening in Windows 10 guide.

Full credit goes to lblb_lblb for the script.