This guide will show you how to install, setup and use a much faster, smaller and even more feature-rich image viewer for Windows 10 – and best of all it’s completely free.
- First things first, head over to the IrfanView download page and download the setup file. There will be a number of options – you want to download either the “IrfanView 32-bit Windows Installer” or the “IrfanView 64-bit Windows Installer” depending on which version of Windows you’re using. You do not want to download the “IrfanView All Plugins” version. It contains a bunch of additional features, but slows down the App.
- Once the download has completed (should be very fast – it’s a tiny program), double-click the installer file. On the initial setup screen, click the Uncheck all button – assuming you don’t want or need any shortcuts on your Desktop, Start menu etc. Click Next to continue.
- During the installation you’ll reach a point where you’re asked if you’d like to associate certain extensions with IrfanView. Click the Images Only button, and then the Next button to continue.
- Click Yes when prompted for confirmation.
- Once the installation has completed, there’s one more step to take before trying out IrfanView. Since Windows often ignores the request to associate image files with a new program we’ll need to check and do it manually. Click the Settings button from the Windows Start Menu.
- Select Apps from the list of options.
- From the column on the left, select Default Apps and then locate and click the Photos button from the Photo viewer section.
- From that menu, select IrfanView
- Now every time you double-click an image file it will open with IrfanView instead of the default Photos app.
- That’s it, you’re done!
Still I find ACDSee kind of better standard for browsing and organising your photo collection. Yes, it is paid, but owing it’s editing capacity, I find it fair deal.