Using Windows 8.1 (Windows 7 + Windows 8 upgrade disc + Windows 8.1 upgrade through the Store)

So there I was flicking through my photos with Photo Gallery when all of a sudden and without warning they all disappeared. Every single one of them.

It then brought up a dialogue box citing error code 0x8007000b.

Then I tried to access the photographs with the Windows 8.1 Photos App but that couldn't find them either, (even though the app had showed them 10 minutes earlier) citing a dialogue box saying "pictures.library-ms" is no longer working. This library can be safely deleted from your PC. Folders that have been included will not be affected.

Both programs had been working fine and no changes had been made to any settings etc..

I have un-installed and re-installed Photo gallery but it continues to give code 0x8007000b and will not open.

It doesn't look as though the Photos app can be un-installed either.?.

The photos are stored both on my computer and Skydrive. Thankfully Skydrive hasn't lost them.

Your help would be appreciated.

John