IrfanView Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about IrfanView

Q: I will create a CD-ROM with images and I will put 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 EXE slideshow file (in the slideshow dialog) or you can copy the original files to the CD and use a TXT file. Read the help file page "How to start IrfanView slideshow from a CD?" for examples.

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 JPEG) video codec. Try these sites:
    Free-Codecs.com - Download Motion JPEG Codec
    MainConcept - Motion JPEG Codec Software Video Compression
    Morgan M-JPEG codec
    www.FOURCC.org - Video Codec Definitions

Q: Problem: If I try to play some AVIs and MPGs with IrfanView, I always get the error message "MMSYSTEMxxx, no device ..."!
A: Please search on http://www.microsoft.com for more infos about the message number. In some cases a fix is available.

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):
    Free-Codecs.com
    All Codecs and Decompressors
    Codec-Download.com
    www.FOURCC.org - Video Codec Definitions
    Microsoft Codecs
    VideoHelp.com

Q: How to reduce saved file size from XX to YY KB?
A: There is no one-click solution for that, sorry.
    1. Open an image.
    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 File->Batch Conversion, Advanced options.

Q: Bug report: Since yesterday, IrfanView shows all my images black/white! Why?
A: The load option for JPGs "Load as grayscale" in 'Properties->JPG/PCD/GIF' is activated, please uncheck!

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 -> 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 an USB stick folder.

Q: How can I make IrfanView as my default viewer?
A: Start IrfanView, go to 'Properties->Extensions' and associate your types.

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 image using the left mouse button.

Q: How can I add background sound for automatic slideshow or EXE/SCR?
A: In the slideshow dialog put/add MP3 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: 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->Misc 1->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: 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->Misc. 1 and disable the option: Ask to rename if incorrect extension.

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 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 -> Acquire/Batch scanning -> Close TWAIN dialog after acquiring image.

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 -> Control Panel -> Display -> 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?
A: Start IrfanView, go to 'Properties->Extensions' and associate your file types again.

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.

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.

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 with same settings for all users?
A: 1) Install IrfanView on the server
    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 but each user should save/use own INI files?
A: 1) Install IrfanView on the server
2) Write in the INI file (i_view32.ini on server):

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 (example, version 3.98):
1) IrfanView:
2) PlugIns:
3) Uninstall:

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!
1) Common: http://www.techtorials.com/desktop_apps/irfanview/
2) Common: http://www.sticksite.com/irfanview/
3) Common: http://www.indeavors.com/resources/tutorials.htm
4) Common: http://www.cam-web.co.uk/irfanview_tutorials.html
5) Common: http://www.pc-tinkering.de/search.php?search=Irfanview&language=1
6) Common: http://www.fotowelt-online.de/software/irfanview/index.php (German)
7) Common: http://www.lehrerfortbildung-bw.de/werkstatt/bild/irv/tutorial-download.htm (German)
8) Common: http://www.henner.info/irfan.htm (German)
9) Common: http://home.casema.nl/sve/irfanview/irfanview.htm (Dutch)
10) Batch resize: http://www.lancelotgroup.com/tutorials/HowToResize-IrFanView-Start.asp
11) Batch conversion: http://www.photosapiens.com/article.php?id_article=1224 (French)
12) Batch conversion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWvlvu_4NQc (Spanish)
13) Batch conversion: http://declic-video-fx.com/...
14) Batch conversion: http://www.warnerblade.com/f/viewtopic.php?t=2656 (Turkish)
15) Les planches contact: http://www.photosapiens.com/article.php?id_article=1694 (French)
16) Cropping: http://www.peterkjohnson.com/helpSheet/demoCroppingIrfanview/croppingIrfanview.html
17) Slideshow: http://www.zisman.ca/Irfanview/
18) Screensaver: http://www.furytech.net/tutorials/irfanviewtutorials...
19) Install, Resize: http://www.hp-h.com/p/paradj/tshootimg/irfanview/
20) Install etc.: http://www.kulak.ac.be/renwv/nazorg/wegwijsweb/ (Dutch)
21) Remove hidden data in JPEG files: http://netzreport.googlepages.com/hidden_data_in_jpeg_files.html
22) Fractals: http://benscheele.com/ag/fractal_art.htm

Misc: Interesting links for special Windows problems:
Delltalk Tweekz - Wrong thumbnails in Explorer
VideoHelp.com - Video tools/conversions