Top 8 Ways to Fix File System Error (-2147219196) in Windows 11

Are you trying to open photos and videos in the Windows Photos app, just to receive a system error (-2147219196) in return? This is not a disk error by any means. It’s an issue with the default Photos app on your computer. Here are the ways to fix file system errors (-2147219196) on Windows 11.

Microsoft completely redesigned the Photos app on Windows 11. However, the reliability issues remain intact. Because of a buggy app build, or corrupted media files, you will often run into the ‘File system error (-2147219196) on your PC. Let’s fix the issue once and for all.

1. Run Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

This is the first trick you should try when any Microsoft Store app starts misbehaving. The company offers a built-in troubleshooter tool to fix general app issues. Let’s use it using the steps below.

Step 1: Open Settings on your Windows PC (use Windows + I keys).

Step 2: Go to System and open Troubleshoot menu.

Step 3: Select Other troubleshooter.

Step 4: Scroll down and select Run beside Windows Store Apps.

2. Restart Microsoft Photos App

You can force close the Microsoft Photos app and try opening it again to fix the file system error (-2147219196).

Step 1: Right-click on the Windows key and open the Task Manager menu.

Step 2: Find Microsoft Photos in the list and click on it.

Step 3: Select the End Task button at the bottom and completely close the Photos app.

Open the Microsoft Photos app and start browsing the library without any error.

3. Update Microsoft Photos App

Microsoft distributes the default Photos app via the Microsoft Store and frequently releases new updates to add features and fix bugs. Some users aren’t kin to keeping apps up-to-date and that might result in file system error (-2147219196) on Windows 11.

Step 1: Open Microsoft Store on your computer and go to the Library menu.

Step 2: Install pending Microsoft Photos updates.

4. Repair Microsoft Photos App

If there are no Photos app updates on your computer, you can go ahead and repair the app from Windows Settings.

Step 1: Open Settings on your PC (by pressing the Windows + I keys).

Step 2: Go to Apps and select Apps & features.

Step 3: Scroll down to Microsoft Photos and click on the three-dot menu beside it.

Step 4: Select Advanced options.

Step 5: Select Repair under the Reset menu and let Windows fix the Photos app.

Once Microsoft is done repairing the Photos app, you can open the app and start browsing the media files.

5. Reset Photos App

Be careful while using the reset tool. Once you reset the Photos app, the app’s all data will be deleted. You will have to set up everything from the scratch in the Photos app. Go through the steps below to reset the Photos app and fix the file system error ((-2147219196).

Step 1: Open the Apps & features menu in Windows 11 Settings and scroll to Microsoft Photos (refer to the steps above).

Step 2: Open Advanced options.

Step 3: Select Reset and Windows will delete all the app data.

Open Microsoft Photos, sign in with your OneDrive account, and check media files without any error.

6. Re-register the Photos App

If Microsoft Photos is still throwing file system error (-2147219196) randomly, you need to re-register the app on Windows 11. Here’s how.

Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for the command prompt.

Step 2: Hit Enter and open it. Paste the following command.

PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command “& {$manifest = (Get-AppxPackage *Photos*).InstallLocation + ‘\AppxManifest.xml’ ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest}”

Press Enter and let Windows run the command.

7. Remove Bogus Files

Corrupted Windows files can be one of the biggest factors behind the file system error on your computer. You need to use the Windows Defender tool and run a quick scan on your PC.

Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Windows Security.

Step 2: Select Virus & threat protection and run a quick scan on your computer.

Once Windows removes all bogus files from your computer, you can use the Photos app without any issue.

8. Update Windows 11

Microsoft doesn’t win any awards in reliability with system updates. The company might have pushed out a buggy OS update and that might be causing file system error on your device. You need to head to the Windows Update menu in Settings to install a new OS build.