CNET Editors' review
This image viewer and editor is a longtime favorite among our staff, and with good reason. IrfanView is simple, fast, and free for individual use. Upon installation, the app attempts to install two Google programs, but you can opt out.
The program lets you open and edit images, as well as multiple media formats. You can cut and crop images, apply batch conversions, add, sharpen, or blur effects, create panoramas, and change color modes easily. The program continues to add support for an array of file formats and has plug-in support for most image, video, and sound formats, including MP3, AVI, audio CD, and WMA. The interface is far from fancy but should be easy enough for most users to figure out. An IrfanView Thumbnails shortcut on the desktop offers an Explorer-like file tree that quickly displays all images in a particular folder. The latest version includes a basic drawing palette made accessible by hitting F12. It contains simple Erase, Draw, Fill, Rotate, Draw an Arrow, and Color Picker commands, perfect for grabbing screenshots and highlighting image specifics.
IrfanView does what it does well. It's not going to replace a major paint program, but why use a meat cleaver to cut a stick of butter?
Publisher's Description
From Irfan Skiljan:
IrfanView is a fast and compact image viewer/converter. It is trying to be simple for beginners and powerful for professionals. Many supported file formats and features. Features include: multi-language support, Thumbnail option, Painting, slideshow, toolbar skins, fast directory browsing, batch conversion/editing, multipage editing, file search, change color depth, scanning, cut/crop, IPTC edit, capturing, lossless JPG operations, effects, ICC support, EXE/SCR creating, many hotkeys, command line options and plugins.
Version 4.2 adds Basic Unicode support and new options.
What's new in this version: Version 4.2 adds Basic Unicode support and new options.
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 3,269 votes
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Current version:
4.3 starsout of 277 votes
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My rating:
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"Irfanview Fan for 7 Years"
Version: IrfanView 4.2
Pros
Where to start? Comes with several built-in effects, has batch conversion, the author returns email questions, ability to resize pics easily. Just an overall good deal. Did I forget to mention it's free?
Cons
The many menu options could be intimidating to new users.
Summary
Have created many many wallpapers using Irfanview's effects and also the help of other plugins and filters (which I converted to 8bf and installed). I've posted these to a popular website which has earned me (several times over) featured album awards, featured photo awards, etc., etc. I am no graphic pro, but it's just simple to use, once you get the hang of everything. Irfanview is one of those "must-have" applications. I use it religiously and prefer it over any other grahic editor. Why pay for one when this one's free?
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"Basically, the same as CNETs comment."
Version: IrfanView 4.2
Pros
I like the ease of file conversion.
Cons
I which it had a better color selection for the letters in their test section
Summary
I have had very good luck using their sizing and cropping features.. I just wish they had a better color palette for their text section. The palettefor the canvas selection would be nice.
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"A simple, effective, easy to use program"
Version: IrfanView 4.2
Pros
It is simple to use, has the functionality that satisfies the needs of the average camera buff from beginner upwards.
Cons
There is nothing that I particularly dislike about it.
Summary
I have other software that is more technically functional than this but have had it for many years and recommended to lots of people. simple red eye reduction, simple resizing and simple copy, cut and paste options.
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"I've been using Irfanview for years - it's phenomenal."
Version: IrfanView 4.2
Pros
The ability to do on-the-fly edits (cropping, rotating, reducing (a lot!) is excellent. I don't really have time, so have lapsed into a point and shoot mode.Irfanview allows me to relfect a portion of what I know in a quick and dirty manner.
Cons
I would like to see mass file name changes (it might be there but I don't know how to do it). But that would be really handy when I import a few hundred pics from my Nihon. Sometimes I do worry about quality when it compresses automatically.
Summary
If I had to pick 4 or 5 programs to see me through, Ifranview would be one of them. It allows you to work with pics fresh from your digital and really make them look good with mininal work. I only touch on a very small percentage of the capabilities in Irfanview but it is enough to keep me really happy with my output.
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"not user friendly, didn't work very well"
Version: IrfanView 4.2
Pros
um, none that I found....
Cons
not worth it...at all!
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"Great, greater, greatest !"
Version: IrfanView 4.2
Pros
As a freeware it does a lot more than commercial products. It's fast, relaible, easy to install and use.
Cons
I'm sort of worried about the keylogger mentioned, though.
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"This does everything that I need!"
Version: IrfanView 4.2
Pros
I particularly like the very easy to follow directions! Also the end results without all the hassle that some of the similar programs give you to try and get to the same result. PLUS, It doesn't cost an arm and a leg!!!
Cons
I really haven't found anything Negative about this programe at all!
Summary
I was looking for a very easy to use, simple programe to try and get some order into all the digital pictures that we take. (We have been touring Australia by Caravan and 4wd for over 8 years continuosly, and have thousands of pictures to sort.) The "select and click" to put whatever piccies you choose into whatever you click on and also into whatever order you wish is just so easy!! Even an oldie like me can understand and do it!!
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"Easy to use, free, always updating & adding features"
Version: IrfanView 4.2
Pros
Easy to use, free, contantly updating the program & adding features, used it for years.
Cons
Easy to use, free, contantly updating the program & adding features, used it for years.
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"The one that works with all formats"
Version: IrfanView 4.2
Pros
It has an ability to manipulate a photograph easily.
Cons
I am sure there must be some but I haven't seen them yet.
Summary
I have recommended this software to numerous friends. I like the software and use it frequently.
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"Great program most graphics stuff I do."
Version: IrfanView 4.2
Pros
Easy to use and does most of the basic stuff I need to do. It is also very fast. I love it.
Cons
I have not found anything I dislike about the program so far.
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