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On Windows 10, the Photos app can register a context-menu command called Edit with Photos for common image types like JPG and PNG. If you never use it, the extra step is just clutter—especially when you’re right-clicking images all day.
This guide walks you through removing that specific context-menu option safely. You’ll use Registry Editor to delete the shell verb entry, plus a couple of alternatives if you prefer tooling over manual registry edits.
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What the Edit With Photos option is and why it shows up
The context menu item is created by a shell “verb” tied to image file associations. When the Photos app (Microsoft.Windows.Photos) is installed and set up as the handler for certain image interactions, Windows registers verbs such as Edit, View, or Edit with Photos.
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Prerequisites and safety checklist
- Use an admin account to edit system registry keys.
- Create a restore point (optional but strongly recommended) before touching the registry.
- Back up the registry keys you plan to delete.
- Be precise: delete only the shell verb/key related to Edit with Photos, not broader image associations.
Before you start, do a quick verification so you know you’re removing the right entry: right-click a JPG or PNG, then confirm the exact label reads Edit with Photos.
Method 1: Remove the context-menu entry via Registry Editor (recommended)
This method deletes the shell verb that generates the menu item for image files. In most Windows 10 installs, the relevant keys are under HKCR\SystemFileAssociations.
Step 1: Confirm the affected file type/verb
Try the menu on at least two image formats (for example, JPG and PNG). Windows sometimes registers the verb per association, so you may need to repeat deletion for multiple keys.
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Step 2: Take a registry backup
- Press Win + R, type
regedit, then press Enter. - In Registry Editor, right-click the key you’re about to modify and choose Export.
- Name the file clearly, for example
EditWithPhotos_Backup_1.reg, and save it to a safe folder.
If you’re not sure which exact key contains the verb, start by backing up the parent association key (not just individual child keys).
Step 3: Delete the Edit with Photos shell key (system file association)
Follow this path carefully. You may need to try one, then verify, then try the other file associations if it doesn’t work.
- Navigate to:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\image\shell
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- Under
shell, look for a subkey related to the verb. Common patterns include names like:
- edit
- editwithphotos
- Edit with Photos (or a localized variant)
Because Windows can store localized labels and internal verb names, the reliable way is to click the candidate subkey and inspect the values on the right (such as default and command).
When you find the verb that points to Photos, delete that specific subkey:
- Right-click the matching subkey under
shell. - Select Delete.
- Confirm the deletion.
What “points to Photos” often looks like: a command entry referencing WindowsApps and/or Microsoft.Photos / Photos (the exact path varies).
Next, repeat the same idea for these common associations if needed:
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|---|---|
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.jpg (and similar for .png) |
If the menu remains for one specific extension (e.g., only JPG) |
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\image |
Default target for the image “bundle” association |
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.png\shell |
If only PNG shows the option |
After deleting the verb subkey, restart Windows Explorer (or reboot) to ensure the shell cache updates.
Step 4: Verify and refresh Explorer
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Find Windows Explorer, right-click it, and choose Restart.
- Right-click an image again and confirm Edit with Photos is gone.
Alternative: Remove both “edit” and localized verb variants
On some builds (especially after Photos updates), the menu may come from a verb named edit plus another subkey holding the display label. If you still see the option after deleting one matching key, check for sibling subkeys that reference the same Photos command.
Delete only the specific Photos-related one. Don’t remove unrelated verbs like Open or Print.
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Method 2: Remove the command using a .reg file (faster, repeatable)
If you prefer a clean, repeatable approach (and you manage multiple machines), export the target keys first, then use a .reg file to delete them. Registry deletion via .reg is exact, but you must get the key path right.
Create the disable file
1) Find the exact subkey you deleted in Method 1 (the full path). 2) Create a file on Desktop named Remove_EditWithPhotos.reg with the following structure:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\image\shell\<VERB_KEY_HERE>]
Replace <VERB_KEY_HERE> with the exact name of the subkey you removed (from Registry Editor). Save the file.
- Right-click the file and choose Merge.
- Restart Windows Explorer.
- Verify the context menu item is gone.
Restore later (undo file)
If you exported the key earlier, you can restore by double-clicking the exported .reg backup. If you didn’t export, re-create is harder because you’d need the original command values.
That’s why exporting the exact key is your best safety net.
Method 3: Disable the Photos context extension with a third-party utility
Windows Shell extensions can contribute context menu items. Instead of deleting registry verbs manually, you can disable the extension using a tool that lists and toggles shell components.
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Use ShellExView to find the Photos-related shell extension
- Download ShellExView from a reputable source (it’s commonly distributed by NirSoft).
- Run it (no install needed).
- In the list, sort by Company and look for entries related to Microsoft and Photos.
- Look for items mentioning Photos, Microsoft Photos, or the Windows Photos shell integration.
- Select the extension and click the Disable Selected Items toolbar button (or right-click > Disable).
Disable one extension at a time, then test the context menu. This minimizes the risk of removing the wrong feature (like an export/share verb you still want).
What to disable (and what not to touch)
- Do disable only the extension explicitly labeled for Photos/context menu integration.
- Do not disable unrelated shell items like thumbnails providers, preview handlers, or file type handlers unless you’re intentionally troubleshooting.
If the menu item disappears after disabling one extension, you’ve confirmed the culprit and can stop there.
Method 4: Change default apps without expecting this to fully remove the menu item
It’s still worth mentioning because many people try it first. Changing default apps can affect double-click behavior and the Open with options, but Edit with Photos is often registered as a shell verb rather than a default app selection.
- Open Settings > Apps > Default apps.
- Set a different app for photos (e.g., a viewer/editor you prefer).
- Right-click an image to check whether Edit with Photos is still present.
If it remains, use Method 1 or Method 3 instead.
Common issues and troubleshooting
Option still appears after deleting keys
- Restart Explorer: Windows Explorer restart often fixes the stale shell menu.
- Check other association paths: you might have removed the verb for
imagebut not for a specific extension like.jpg. - Look for multiple verbs: the menu label might come from a different sibling key than the one that contains the command.
The entry is missing in Registry Editor
- Search the registry: press Ctrl + F and search for
Photos,Microsoft.Photos, or the command path you saw. - Use ShellExView: if the verb is coming from a shell extension, registry deletion may not show a clean “Edit with Photos” key.
- Confirm you’re on Windows 10: Windows 11 has a different layout in several areas, even if you’re using a Windows 10 VM.
Edit With Photos returns after a Windows update
Windows updates can re-register app integrations. If this happens, expect you’ll need to redo the deletion after the update—or switch to disabling the shell extension (Method 3) if the update re-adds the verb.
Keep your backup .reg files so you can restore quickly if the change causes unintended side effects.
Other context menu items disappear too
- Undo immediately: restore the exported backup .reg file.
- Re-check the deleted path: you may have deleted the parent
shellkey instead of just the verb subkey. - Keep deletions narrow: remove only the exact Photos-related verb/key.
Which method should you use?
Use this quick decision chart to match your preference and risk tolerance.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors| Method | Best for | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Registry Editor (Method 1) | Precise removal with minimal dependencies | Requires careful key targeting |
| .reg deletion (Method 2) | Repeatable changes across multiple PCs | Still requires exact key paths |
| ShellExView (Method 3) | Fast toggling and easier rollback | Depends on third-party tooling and correct extension identification |
| Default app change (Method 4) | Quick attempt before deeper edits | Often doesn’t remove the context-menu verb |
Bottom Line
To remove Edit with Photos from the Windows 10 image context menu reliably, target the Photos-related shell verb in the registry (usually under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations) and delete only that specific command key. Afterward, restart Windows Explorer and verify the menu is gone for the file types you care about.
If Windows updates bring the entry back, disabling the Photos shell extension with a tool like ShellExView can be more resilient than re-editing verbs every time. Back up your registry changes either way—you’ll thank yourself later.
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