lincmb

I have no photos or video in my windows photo gallery, the help says that
photos and videos in the pictures folder are automatically placed in photo
gallery. I have heaps of pictures in the pictures folder but nothing shows up
in photo gallery.

I try to add the pictures folder and i get a message:
"you cant add this folder to the gallery. this folder or one of its parent
folders is considered a system folder or is marked hidden, it is recommended
that you move your pictures to the pictures folder or to another folder."

What could be wrong and what can i do about it? i am very confused.