Windows Photo Viewer is an excellent application for all those who want just that, open their pictures without any additional function. However, there are numerous third-party applications that can successfully replace this Windows tool, and some of them are bound to become indispensable once they are tested – such as IrfanView.
Installing IrfanView might seem a bit difficult because it prompts the user to choose the files they want the application to handle, so in case they just wish to use it as the backup solution, they need to uncheck them all. Also, care needs to be taken when dealing with the offered toolbar unrelated to the software's functionality.
At first glance, the interface seems simplistic, leaving plenty of room for the actual displayed image and only presenting a few buttons for the basic actions. Nonetheless, the menus fully compensate for this simple appearance, since each of them comes with a large array of options.
When it comes to its main function, image viewing, this tool can open almost any format out there while still enabling easy photo browsing. As a side note, IrfanView can be enhanced with third-party plugins so as to support virtually all graphic formats one could think of.
Despite its name, IrfanView can also do conversion and resize on the go, with the batch features proving to be both fast and efficient. In other words, one can rename, convert, resize, crop and change color depth of several images with only a few mouse clicks.
IrfanView has a very rich Settings window, which means users can change almost every single option the app packs, not to mention that it comes with multi-language support for easier use. The software can be integrated within Windows' context menu to enjoy its features in a seamless way.
All things considered, IrfanView is one of the best solutions one could find when it comes to handling photos, editing them, taking screenshots, viewing multi-page images, making panoramas or creating slideshows. And, probably the most important thing, it is free for personal use.

What's New in This Release:
· New Lossless JPG Dialog option: Rebuild EXIF-Thumbnail
· Update of EXIF-Thumbnail on JPG-Lossless-Crop
· Option to Edit EXIF date/time (Options menu or Thumbnails window for batch mode)
· Improved color accuracy in "Decrease color depth" function
· Added "Best quality" option in "Decrease color depth" dialog
· New (Freeware) PlugIn for DWG format - thanks to BabaCAD-Software guys!
· New feature: Replace Color (Image menu and Advanced Batch dialog)
· New feature: Create tiled image (Image menu)
· New PlugIn: Filter Sandbox (Image->Effects menu, JewelScript)
· Option to invert single color channels only (Image menu)
· New Edit menu option: Show Grid (see also Properties->Editing for cell size)
· New Slideshow Burning PlugIn for WinXP SP3 or later
· New display options added: Fit small image side to window/desktop
· Profiles option added to Batch Rename dialog
· New Advanced Batch dialog option: Set new image size in MegaPixels
· New options for Fine Rotation effect: Keep old image size and background
· New feature ...

Users are advised to pay attention while installing this ad-supported application:
· Offers to download or install software or components (such as browser toolbars) that the program does not require to fully function