|
Here are some interesting questions about IrfanView, bug reports, etc.
| Q: | I will create a CD-ROM with images and I wish to copy IrfanView on the CD. How can I start IrfanView’s Slideshow when I insert the CD in the drive?
|
| A: | You can create either a self running slideshow file (in the slideshow dialog) or you can copy the original files to the CD and use a TXT file. Read this page for an example.
|
| Q: | Problem: If I try to play some AVIs, I get the error message “Video not available, cannot find MJPG decompressor“!
|
| A: | Method 1: Go to ‘Properties->Video’ and activate the option: ‘Use DirectShow for playing‘.
|
Method 2: Please install the MJPG (Motion ) video codec. Try these sites:
http://www.free-codecs.com/Motion_JPEG_Codec_download.htm http://www.mainconcept.com/downloads.shtml http://www.morgan-multimedia.com http://www.fourcc.org/indexcod.htm
| Q: | Problem: If I try to play some AVIs and MPGs with IrfanView, I always get the error message “MMSYSTEMxxx, no device …“!
|
| Q: | Generic problem with video files: If I try to play some AVIs, I get the error message “Video not available, cannot find XXX decompressor“!
|
| A: | The correct video codec is not installed, please check this site for the right codec (see in menu Image->Information for the codec name):
|
http://www.fourcc.org/indexcod.htm http://www.codec-download.com http://codecs.necromancers.ru http://www.free-codecs.com http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/results.aspx?productID=&freetext=media+8&DisplayLang=en http://www.videohelp.com
A good codec pack is the K-Lite Codec Pack, it contains the most popular video/audio codecs.
| Q: | How to reduce saved file size from XX to YY KB?
|
| A: | There is no one-click solution for that, sorry.
|
| 2.
| Go to menu Image->Resize/Resample and reduce the image dimensions in pixels.
|
| 3.
| Go to menu File->Save As, choose JPG and save as new file (see also JPG save options like: lower JPG quality, uncheck EXIF, etc.).
|
| 4.
| Look at the file size of the new file. If still too big, repeat the steps, using smaller pixel size and/or lower quality, etc.
|
| X.
| For many images, use menu File->Batch Conversion, Advanced options.
|
Note: since version 4.20 is a new JPG save option allowed: Set file size. IrfanView PlugIns must be installed.
| Q: | Bug report: Since yesterday, IrfanView shows all my images black/white! Why?
|
Note: in the Save dialog, see JPG format save options. The option “Save as grayscale” must not be active.
| Q: | Bug report: IrfanView can’t read filenames/paths with chinese, japanese, polish etc. characters.
|
| Q: | How to use JPG lossless operations (Rotation, IPTC, Comment) in batch mode?
|
| A: | Start the Thumbnail window, open the folder with JPGs, select many JPGs and see in thumbnail menu File for JPG Lossless Operations à Lossless transformations with selected thumbs. Note: The auto-rotation option works only if the EXIF orientation tag is properly saved (not top-left).
|
| Q: | Is there a portable IrfanView version (for USB sticks, CDs etc.)?
|
| A: | Yes, EVERY IrfanView version is portable. You can:
|
| 1.
| Copy your existing/installed IrfanView folder to USB stick (recommended), or
|
| 2.
| Use the normal installer and install IrfanView to an USB stick folder, or
|
| 3.
| Use the ZIP version and unzip to a USB stick folder.
|
| Q: | Why are some edit menus or the red eye menu greyed out?
|
| A: | Many edit options or red eye reduction works on selections only. Create first a selection (outline rectangle) in the using the left mouse button.
|
| Q: | How can I make IrfanView as my default viewer?
|
Q: Why is RAW loading slow (Camera RAW formats, e.g. CR2)?
| A: | This depends which RAW plugin options are used in ‘Properties->PlugIns‘. The preview option is the fastest, Half-size is fast and if both are deactivated: the full RAW image is loaded => this is very slow.
|
| Q: | How to sort pictures by date-taken?
|
| A: | Open Thumbnails window and load a folder. See thumbnails sort menu, use Sort by EXIF date.
|
| Q: | Is IrfanView affected by the MS JPEG vulnerability?
|
| A: | NO. There is no GDI+ usage in IrfanView.
|
| Q: | How can I batch rename “JPG” files to “jpg” (lower case extensions)?
|
| Q: | How can I add background sound for automatic slideshow or EXE/SCR?
|
| A: | In the slideshow dialog put/add files into the slideshow file list, usually at the begin or before an image. The MP3 file is played until it ends or until next MP3 is loaded from the file list. IrfanView PlugIns should be also installed, at least the MP3 PlugIn.
|
| Q: | Batch conversion: How can I save result files in the original/source folder (even if files from several input subfolders are used)?
|
| A: | Use Advanced batch options, activate the option Create subfolders in destination folder. As destination folder (main batch dialog), set the
root folder of your input files, e.g. C:\, if all input files are located on C drive.
|
| Q: | Why I can’t scroll a large, zoomed (larger than screen) image in fullscreen mode using arrow/page keys?
|
| A: | Either is the image not really larger than screen or the option Properties->Browsing->Always jump to next image … active, please uncheck.
|
| Q: | Why is the saved JPG file much bigger than the original JPG file?
|
| A: | The JPG file size depends primary on JPG save quality, in the Save dialog options. Normal quality is 75 or 80, higher values will produce larger result files.
|
| Q: | How can I add background sound to a VCD (Video CD)?
|
| A: | This is not possible by the VCD specification.
|
| Q: | Is IrfanView compatible with Vista/XP 64 bit?
|
| A: | YES, like probably 95% of all 32 bit programs.
|
| Q: | How can I change the icon for IrfanView associations?
|
| A: | Go to Properties->Extensions and choose the Miscellaneous button. Here you can set other icon(s) for associated file types.
|
| Q: | Bug report: Since yesterday, IrfanView shows all images distorted/stretched! Why?
|
| A: | The View Menu option “Fit images to desktop” is activated (or a similar view option), please uncheck and use the recommended display option.
|
| Q: | How to extract images from the EXE Slideshow?
|
| A: | Start the EXE and press F1 for help. Use E hotkey for extraction.
|
| Q: | How to change JPG IPTC/Comment data for many images (batch mode)?
|
| A: | In the Thumbnails window, select many JPG images/files and use the menu JPG Lossless Operations à Set IPTC data/Comment to selected thumbs. The data for the first image is applied to all
files. The IPTC dialog offers additional options.
|
| Q: | Are the JPG editing options for IPTC/Comment lossless?
|
| A: | Yes, the image itself is NOT recompressed.
|
| Q: | How can I load only desired file types during the browsing?
|
| Q: | How to exclude specific file extensions (e.g. TXT) from browsing through directory?
|
| Q: | IrfanView can load e.g. CR2 files, but the files are not showed in the Thumbnail window?
|
| A: | Go to Properties->Extensions, edit the file extensions in field Load custom file types; delete unwanted or add special (but supported!) extensions.
|
| Q: | Bug report: If I decrease the color depth to 8 or less BPP, the saved JPG file is always 24 BPP?
|
| A: | Please note that a JPG can be only saved as 24 BPP or 8 BPP grayscale image. JPG do not allow other BPP values. If you want other BPP values, please use formats like PNG, TIF, BMP, etc.
|
| Q: | How can I change the desktop icon for IrfanView?
|
| A: | This is a standard Windows feature. Right click on the desktop icon, then ‘Properties’. Now you can set another icon (change icon) or remove/change the hotkey for the program start.
|
| Q: | How can I load file types WITHOUT any extension during the browsing?
|
| A: | Go to Properties->Extensions, edit the file extensions in field Load custom file types; add a | at the end, to create an empty extension entry. Optional: go to Properties->File Handling and disable the option: Ask to rename if incorrect extension.
|
| Q: | How to print only a part of the image?
|
| A: | Use left mouse button to select the desired part in the image, then use the Print menu. Alternative: Edit->Crop, then print.
|
| Q: | How to print many files (batch print)?
|
| A: | In the Thumbnails window, you can select many images/files and use the menu Print selected files as single images.
|
| Q: | How load PDF files in IrfanView?
|
| Q: | How to print many images on one page?
|
| A: | In the Thumbnails window, use the menu Create contact sheet from selected thumbs. The result image(s) can be printed or saved.
|
| Q: | Is IrfanView compatible with Windows 95 or 98?
|
| A: | Yes, IrfanView is compatible with all Win9x- and later Windows versions. Win9x means: Windows 95, 98, 98 SE and Windows ME.
|
| Q: | Is there a way to do batch scanning without having an ADF scanner?
|
| A: | Yes, uncheck the option in menu: File à Acquire/Batch scanning à Close TWAIN dialog after acquiring image.
|
| Q: | How to use Unicode (e.g. Chinese) text in the Insert-Text dialog?
|
| A: | Go to Windows Control Panel, Regional and Language settings (advanced settings), choose “Chinese” for the option “Language for non-Unicode programs”.
|
| Q: | How can I play QuickTime (MOV) files with IrfanView?
|
| A: | If you want to play all QuickTime files: install Apple QuickTime, install IrfanView PlugIns. Activate the Quicktime PlugIn for IrfanView in Properties->Video/Sound.
|
| Q: | Bug report: IrfanView won’t save settings! Why?
|
| A: | There are 2 possibilities, first: your INI (i_view32.ini) file (or whole IrfanView folder) is set to read-only, please change that; second: some “smart” washer/restore tools/plugins are washing too much, please exclude IrfanView files/folder from such actions.
|
| Q: | Bug report: The Add button in the slideshow/batch dialog won’t add the selected file to the file list.
|
| A: | There is a Windows Explorer “feature”: Hide file extensions for known file types. Please deactivate this default (and stupid) Explorer option to show files with their real names and extensions!
|
| Q: | Bug report: The thumbnail window crashes if I have many files in a folder!
|
| A: | This is a Windows 9x/XP bug, the max. number of files in the folder is system dependent. WinNT/Win2K works fine. Try to split files to several folders. |
| Q: | Bug report: When I capture a video, why is the screen black?
|
| A: | Try to disable video acceleration in Settings à Control Panel à Display à Throubleshooting, during the screenshots. Or start a second player instance and try to capture it.
|
| Q: | Bug report (Windows 95): In the thumbnail window, when I click on a thumbnail, nothing happens, the image will not be displayed in the main window!
|
| A: | You have an old version of the “comctl32.dll“, please update this Windows component from the MS homepage, search for Comctl32.dll update.
|
| Q: | Problem: When double click a file which is associated with IrfanView, I get an error message “Cannot find the file [path] or one of its components“. What is the problem?
|
| Q: | Bug report: IrfanView runs/starts very slowly on my system! Why?
|
| A: | Probably an old anti virus program or another background software is running, which causes such problems. Check your system.
|
| Q: | Bug report: The screensaver created by IrfanView shows just few images and then exits. Why?
|
| A: | The problem is caused by another running software, which kills the saver. Check your system.
|
| Q: | Upgrade: Is it necessary to uninstall the older version before installing the newer version?
|
| A: | No. Install a new version over any older version. After install, just refresh your associations/options under Properties->Extensions.
|
| Q: | Can I use IrfanView on Linux?
|
| A: | Yes. There is no native-Linux version of IrfanView. However, you can use IrfanView in conjunction with Linux programs like WINE, Windows Linux emulators and Linux-based virtual machines. See instructions on:
|
http://www.wine-reviews.net/applications/irfanview-410-on-linux-with-wine.html
| Q: | Basic: How can I convert e.g. a BMP image/file to JPG?
|
| A: | Open a BMP file using the File->Open menu. Now go to File->Save as menu, choose JPG as output format, set the new file name/folder and save. If you want to convert many files, use the Batch Conversion.
|
See also this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj-rDx1hH4A
| Q: | Basic: Do I need IrfanView PlugIns?
|
| A: | Probably not. All basic options/features/PlugIns are included in the standard IrfanView installation. PlugIns contains usually special file formats. If you need a special PlugIn, IrfanView will show you an error message and then you can/should install all other PlugIns.
|
| Q: | Does IrfanView contain Spyware or Viruses, etc.?
|
| A: | NO. If your anti virus program reports a virus or spyware in IrfanView downloaded from the official homepages, you should either update the anti virus program or use a better one.
|
| Q: | Advanced: Is there a trick to hide program menu and caption permanently, similar to toolbar and status bar?
|
| A: | Yes. In the INI file, write in section [Menu] Active=0 to hide menu, in section [Caption] Active=0, to hide the program title.
|
| Q: | I am an administrator. How can I install IrfanView on a server/PC with same settings for all users?
|
| A: | 1) Install IrfanView on the server/PC.
|
2) Set your IrfanView options (properties, etc.). Now set the INI file “i_view32.ini” to read-only.
The users can’t change IrfanView options anymore.
3) To prevent the registry changes (associations), you can hide the Properties->Extensions dialog. Write in the INI file:
ShowExtensionsDlg=0 in section [Extensions].
| Q: | I am an administrator. How can I install IrfanView on a server/PC but each user should save/use own INI files?
|
| A: | 1) Install IrfanView on the server/PC.
|
2) Write in the INI file (i_view32.ini on server/PC):
INI_Folder=folder in section [Others].
Examples:
INI_Folder=C:\TEMP, or
INI_Folder=%TEMP%, or
INI_Folder=%APPDATA%\IrfanView, or
INI_Folder=C:\TEMP\%YOUR_ENVIRONMENT_VARIABLE%, or
INI_Folder=%YOUR_ENVIRONMENT_VARIABLE%\folder
| Q: | I am an administrator. How can I silent install/uninstall IrfanView?
|
| A: | Usually, you can download the ZIP version of IrfanView and PlugIns and deploy the files. Self install versions have special start options for silent install (examples, version 4.20):
|
1) IrfanView:
iview420_setup.exe /silent /folder=”c:\test folder\irfanview”
iview420_setup.exe /silent /folder=”c:\test folder\irfanview” /desktop=1 /thumbs=1 /group=1 /allusers=0 /assoc=1 /ini=”%APPDATA%\irfanview”
iview420_setup.exe /silent /folder=”c:\test folder\irfanview” /ini=”c:\temp”
Options:
| folder:
| destination folder; if not indicated: old IrfanView folder is used, if not found: “Program Files” folder used
|
| desktop:
| create desktop shortcut; 0 = no, 1 = yes (default: 0)
|
| thumbs:
| create desktop shortcut for thumbnails; 0 = no, 1 = yes (default: 0)
|
| group:
| create group in Start Menu; 0 = no, 1 = yes (default: 0)
|
| allusers:
| desktop/group links are for all users; 0 = current user, 1 = all users
|
| assoc:
| if used, set file associations; 0 = none, 1 = images only, 2 = select all (default: 0)
|
| assocallusers:
| if used, set associations for all users (Windows XP only)
|
| ini:
| if used, set custom INI file folder (system environment variables are allowed)
|
2) PlugIns:
irfanview_plugins_420_setup.exe /silent
3) Uninstall:
iv_uninstall.exe /silent
| Q: | What is the IrfanView icon, is this a bear or devil or something else?
|
| A: | This is a red CAT, a road cat. Note, I like cats, but this is a joke  |
Misc: Some IrfanView users created tutorials for specific features/operations. Thanks guys!
Misc: Interesting links for special Windows problems:
|