Alex Ruben
How To Resolve Photos Legacy Video Editor Error: “Something Went Wrong” on Windows 11
If you’ve been messing around with the Photos Legacy Video Editor on Windows 11 and hit that annoying “Something went wrong, and we couldn’t add some files” error, you’re not alone. Seems like after a big update, some users suddenly can’t import videos anymore—like Windows decided to throw a wrench in the works. This isn’t totally unexpected, but it’s frustrating. So here’s what’s worked for some folks, and what’s worth trying before pulling out hair.
Basically, it’s often tied to recent updates that mess with system components or permissions. No guarantees, but uninstalling the latest Windows updates with known issues is a common fix. Keep in mind, though, that not every method applies to every setup, so a bit of trial and error might be needed.
Step 1: Head into Windows Update Settings
The first move—get to the Settings app. It’s often hiding somewhere, but easiest way is:
- Press the Windows key, type “Settings”, then hit Enter.
- Or click on the start menu and select Settings.
Once you’re there, look for Windows Update in the sidebar. That’s where the magic (or the trouble) happens.
Step 2: Check Your Update History
Now, to see what updates recently installed and possibly caused havoc:
- Click on Update history.
- Here’s where you’ll see a list of recent updates, optional and critical alike.
Usually, if a recent update coincides with your error starting, that’s your clue.
Step 3: Uninstall the Problematic Updates
This is where it gets a little sneaky. If you spot an update installed right before the errors started, removing it might help.
- From Update history, scroll down and click Uninstall updates.
- A new window pops up with all recent updates. Find the one(s) that could be involved. Usually, cumulative updates or features packs tend to break compatibility.
- Select the update and click Uninstall. Sometimes, Windows throws errors here, but just keep trying or restart later if needed.
Just a heads up: on some setups this process might fail the first try, because Windows wants to make sure you really want to remove something. Be patient.
Step 4: Reboot and Test
After uninstalling, restart your computer. Not sure why, but Windows sometimes refuses to apply changes until you do. Once it fires back up, open the Photos Legacy Video Editor again.
- Try importing videos again—preferably in the same format you were using before.
- Hey, if it works on the first try, good! If not, maybe try reinstalling some drivers or resetting permissions.
On some machines, this fix helps immediately, on others, you might need to do it again or try some other stuff.
Extra Tips & Common Pitfalls
Some other stuff that might help, or at least is worth checking:
- Make sure your videos are supported formats—MP4, MOV, AVI usually are. Unsupported files might not cause the import error directly, but it’s worth double-checking.
- If uninstalling updates doesn’t cut it, think about rolling back specific drivers, especially graphics or video codecs. Sometimes Windows updates mess up driver stability.
- Check that your system actually has the latest drivers—GPU drivers in particular. Use tools like NVIDIA, AMD, or your manufacturer’s site for Intel, etc.
Also, a weird thing: sometimes antivirus or firewall settings block certain operations. Disabling them temporarily can clue you in.
Wrap-up & Extra Thoughts
If you’re poking around and uninstalling updates seems too heavy, sometimes a system reset or repair install helps—sigh, Windows stuff. But generally, rolling back recent updates, giving it a reboot, and retesting the import process is a solid start. And yeah, keeping an eye on new updates—reading what they change—can save some headaches later.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if uninstalling updates doesn’t help?
Then it’s time to look deeper—like resetting the Photos app cache, reinstalling the app, or even creating a new user profile to test if it’s a user-specific settings issue.
Can I prevent this from happening again?
Sure. In Windows Update, you can delay feature updates or change active hours so updates don’t happen right when you’re in the middle of editing. Also, reading update notes before clicking “Download and Install” helps gauge if they might break things.
Is there a way to reinstall updates after removal?
Absolutely. Just go back to Windows Update, hit Check for updates, and install the ones you need—preferably after backing things up or testing on a secondary machine or VM first. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.