How to view photos on a computer. Free programs for viewing photos and managing images. Multifunctional image viewers

Often we need to view photographs or other images on the computer. This can be a home photo album, or various materials for professional activities. When choosing a specific program for viewing images, each user relies on his personal needs and preferences.

Let's look at the pros and cons of various applications for viewing graphic file formats to decide which program is best for you.

One of the most popular programs for working with digital images is Faststone Image Viewer. It has gained popularity due to its versatility and support for a large number of formats. In this application you can not only view photos, but also edit them. There is a built-in file manager. Faststone Image Viewer is completely free for non-commercial use.

The disadvantages include the relatively large size of the program and a certain complexity in management. But these disadvantages are incomparable with the advantages of the product.

XnView

The XnView image viewer is very similar in its capabilities to the application described above. But, unlike it, it can work not only on computers with the Windows operating system, but also on other platforms. This program has extensive plugin support. In addition, XnView allows you not only to view images, but also to play audio and video files.

The application has few disadvantages. These include a large number of functions that are not needed by the average user, and a lot of weight.

IrfanView

Irfan View differs from previous programs in that this application, having almost the same capabilities, weighs very little.

True, not every user will like the rather ascetic interface design. In addition, to Russify IrfanView you will need to make additional efforts by installing a plugin.

Imagine

A distinctive feature of the Imagine program is its extremely light weight (less than 1 MB). At the same time, all the basic functions that are present in image viewers and editors are available in it.

But it’s worth noting that some features that more “heavy” programs have are not available in Imagine. This product runs on Windows OS, including Windows 10, but does not function on other platforms.

Picasa

The cross-platform Picasa application, in addition to functions for viewing and editing images, has extensive social capabilities for exchanging photos between users. This viewer has a unique feature that allows you to identify people's faces in photographs.

The main drawback of the program is that Google, its developer, announced the end of support for Picas, that is, the project is currently closed.

ACDSee

ASDSi has wider functionality than the above programs. It has additional capabilities for working with cameras, and also uses advanced integration into the Explorer menu.

At the same time, there is no Russification in the official version of ACDSee. In addition, unlike the above applications, the full version is paid.

FastPictureViewer

The main feature of FastPictureViewer is the ability to use hardware acceleration and other advanced technologies for faster processing of “heavy” photos. In addition, the program has advanced color reproduction capabilities, making it one of the best for viewing high-definition images.

At the same time, the developers, focusing on playback quality, abandoned additional functionality. In particular, FastPictureViewer cannot perform even light image editing. The free use of the program is limited.

Zoner Photo Studio

Zoner Photo Studio has a completely different focus. This is a real combine for working with digital photographs. In addition to viewing photos, the application has advanced capabilities for editing, processing and organizing them. The program also supports working with non-graphic multimedia formats.

Among the disadvantages are rather complicated controls, especially for beginners. You can use it for free for only 1 month.

Ashampoo Photo Commander

Ashampoo Photo Commander is another processor for working with photographs, which has a fairly large set of functions for processing them. Unlike Zoner Photo Studio, the operation of this product is more intuitive for the average user.

Among the disadvantages, the very large size of the program should be highlighted. The application has a limited period of free use.

Universal Viewer

A special feature of Universal Viewer is that it supports playback of various file formats, not just graphic ones (video, audio, text, etc.). The application has fairly simple controls.

But the file playback capabilities of this universal program are still more limited than those of specialized solutions.

PSD Viewer

PSD Viewer differs from other viewers in that it supports displaying PSD files, which most similar products cannot do.

However, unlike Universal Viewer, PSD Viewer supports viewing a very limited number of graphic formats. Apart from images in PSD, and some other graphic formats created specifically for Adobe Photoshop, this program cannot reproduce other images. PSD Viewer does not have a Russian-language interface.

We reviewed the most popular photo viewing programs. As you can see, they are quite diverse, which allows the user to choose the application that best suits his tastes and tasks.

What is the best photo viewer? The built-in Windows tool is not an option if you have tried anything more interesting. But among the numerous alternatives, it is difficult to choose the ideal one for yourself, unless, of course, you spend time testing everything. Therefore, we offer you a description of the best programs for viewing photos.

We fundamentally decided to consider only free software. The programs offered are, of course, not ideal, but neither are commercial ones. All applications in question have general set of advantages:

• Compatible with Windows 10 and other current versions, up to Windows 7
• A richer set of functions than the standard “peeper” offers
• Individual “superpower” for every decision

FastStone Image Viewer

At the end of the 2010s, this program’s popularity can only be compared with ACDSee in the early 2000s. The difference is that ACDSee was mostly hacked among post-Soviet users, but there is no need to hack FastStone. Based on user reviews and the positive/negative ratio, FastStone is the best photo viewer these days.

The program works quickly, has a built-in editor, and can convert photos in batch mode. Note the unusual interface design: in full-screen mode, just move the cursor over the edge of the display to access various menu sections.

FastStone supports a variety of image formats, from mainstream to professional. The only thing missing is built-in support for .webp, but soon this format, invented by Google programmers, will be supported in Windows at the system level.

Advantages:

• Decent Russification
• Contains a built-in editor with a wide range of functions

Flaws:

• Unusual editor logic
• Minor bugs in the batch conversion function

Another super hit of the market of free photo viewing programs. From the very beginning of the installation, a rich history is visible: in the list of plugins that are proposed to be installed, there is even a plugin for writing pictures to disk in Nero (who remembers this dinosaur?)

The interface of the program resembles the classic approach of ACDSee or the same FastStone: a browser with photo thumbnails, a more detailed view of the selected image in the same window, and a full-screen view by double click.

However, there is an interesting feature - working with tabs. On each tab, you can open a separate folder or photo and switch between them.

Advantages:

• Small size
• Fast work
• Supports a wide range of formats
• Good Russification

Flaws:

• Slightly outdated style
• Inconvenient keyboard controls

A classic program that Bosnian developer Irfan Skilyan created back in 1996 and named after himself. The program is in demand even more than two decades after its creation. Installers for 32- and 64-bit versions are available separately. This way you can choose the one that is more suitable for your system.

The program is loved because there is nothing superfluous in it - only viewing and basic photo editing. For other needs, the photo can be sent to third-party editors directly from full-screen viewing.

Advantages:

• Supports multiple image formats
• Required Editing Capabilities
• Integration with external editors
• Adobe BF8 plugin support
• Ability to create panoramic photos
• Batch Converter

Flaws:

• No own file manager
• Outdated interface (for example, it is impossible to download an additional language pack through the program itself)

A relatively little-known player on the market, DIMIN View has its trump cards. Probably the most interesting feature compared to analogues is the ability to create playlists from photos, a sort of simplified analogue of presentations. The playlist can be organized, compiled from pictures located in different folders, and played in slide show mode.

DIMIN View is a unique attempt to bring the logic of the iTunes library into the photo viewer. You do not need to transfer image files to organize them into a group: just add them to a special playlist.

Advantages:

• Supports plugins
• Allows you to create photo collections that can be viewed like a music playlist

Flaws:

• Unusual interface logic
• Incorrect Russification (there is a translation, but we haven’t seen such problems with displaying the Cyrillic alphabet since the days of Windows XP, so it’s better to use English, please!)

By the standards of its simple and small analogues, this program is a corroded giant. WildBit has a wild appetite and requires more than 100 MB for installation. However, these megabytes are not wasted: the program has something to show.

Advantages:

• Many formats supported
• Beautiful slideshow with a variety of effects
• Separate implementation for 32- and 64-bit systems
• Working with multiple monitors simultaneously
• Built-in powerful editor

Flaws:

• Big size
• Redundancy of functions if you just need to view

The program with the sweetest name suggests that viewing photos through it is like eating honey - you will stick and will not come off. Indeed, the developers have produced a good product that rightfully takes its place on the list.

One of the most interesting features of HoneyView that competitors do not have is integration with Google maps. If the EXIF ​​data of a photo contains the coordinates of the place where it was taken, then you can go to this place on Google Maps in one click, view a street panorama (if available) and use all other functions of the service.

Just click on the “GPS” button, and the program opens the coordinates from the photo data using the web version of Google Maps.

Among other things, it is a simple and easy way to view photos on your computer. Convenient navigation using keys, a built-in browser with thumbnail display, basic editing and conversion functions - perhaps this is the best choice for lovers of travel.

Advantages:

• Easy viewing of EXIF ​​data and its integration with Google Maps
• Support for rare formats (for example, .webp)
• Successful integration into the Windows context menu
• Menu in Russian

Flaws:

• Somewhat overloaded interface

An absolute masterpiece of minimalism. The program does not require installation and is distributed in the form of a single executable file xlideit.exe. When launched, the application is integrated into the system automatically and generates configuration files, so it is better to immediately create a separate folder for it.

Since installation is not necessary, the program can be kept on a flash drive. This is convenient in many respects: for example, it allows you to view photos without launching the main program on the PC (you never know what the owner used it to look at last time).

For a file smaller than 3MB, Xlideit's capabilities are astounding. It opens different file formats, contains a built-in file manager and a set of tools for basic processing - what more could you want from such a midget?

Advantages:

• Minimum size
• Works from anywhere on your computer, including removable media
• Rich options

Flaws:

• Interface is in English only
• Stutters when opening uncompressed photos
• Sometimes it works unstably

Which of the proposed viewers is considered the best is a matter of taste. Each one has some kind of unique “trick” - perhaps you will find room on your computer for two or three at once. Thus, the author of the review believes that FastStone (as a universal viewer and editor) and HoneyView (as a tool for working with metadata) will make a good combination. There is always room for Xlideit on a flash drive with photos. However, each user has different needs, so you may choose a different program or set of them.

In our review, we decided to consider free applications for viewing digital images with high-quality functionality, extensive editing capabilities and good performance. A selection of the best programs for viewing photos will help you get to know the viewers in more detail and choose the one that will meet your requirements.

Rating of programs for viewing photos on a computer

Programs	Russian language	License	Seal	Rating	LaunchSlide show
	Yes	Free	Yes	10	Yes
	Yes	Free	Yes	10	Yes
	Yes	Free	Yes	10	Yes
	Yes	Free	Yes	7	No
	Yes	Trial	Yes	10	Yes
	Yes	Free	Yes	10	Yes
	Yes	Free	Yes	6	No
	Yes	Free	Yes	8	Yes
	Yes	Trial	Yes	10	No

Free image viewers

A high-quality utility with editing functions for more than 100 graphic formats and conversion to convenient formats. Allows you to print images, create photo albums, burn photos to disk, protect photos in a directory with a password, batch rename and apply a large set of effects and tools.

The viewer is convenient and functional, has all the options for convenient viewing and high-quality processing. The user has access to settings for sepia, blur corners, rotate, resave, reduce, enlarge, etc. Modified pictures can be saved, printed or burned to discs. The functions of slide show, cataloging, setting up “hot keys” and adjusting the position of the material on the sheet are available. The only disadvantages of the editor are the English-language menu and a sufficient load on system resources.

The software allows you to conveniently view and edit images with high quality. Supports popular graphics formats, performs conversion, has RGB settings and batch processing. In the application, the user can create a business card and manipulate the image using a variety of effects.

Functions available include auto color enhancement, watermark installation, red-eye removal, and slide show creation using more than a hundred transitions, music, and effects. When editing a picture, you can change its name and size, remove fragments, adjust or change color, use a magnifying glass, and remove shadows. Also available are histogram building, tag processing, drag-and-drop file transfer, and JPEG file annotation.

This feature-rich utility's options allow you to view and edit images, import various files, convert objects to graphics formats, and print your finished work. The user has at his disposal more than 80 viewer actions, the use of high-quality tools and effects, import into hundreds of formats and conversion to various graphics formats.

The user can scan and print material without loss of quality, configure the desired appearance of the resulting picture, organize a slide show, screenshot a picture, create a web page and use search. The program can be integrated into the Total Commander shell using special plugins.

This Google utility was created for editing, organizing and processing images available on a PC. Picasa has tools for editing photos in comparison, using retouching and other tools to improve photos.

Using the photo organizer, you can quickly find, view, improve and print material, create collages and slide shows using adjustments and effects. The photo editor scans a specific area of ​​the system or hard drive, indexes the found video files and images for further sorting into visual albums organized by date. In addition, you can send photos and clips to Google+.

Multifunctional image viewers

A convenient application for structuring and organizing images according to various parameters, applying filters and effects, removing duplicates and downloading GPS tracks.

The viewer catalogs images according to selected parameters (location of shooting, date of photo creation, unsorted, marked, etc.), so the user can view the material in chronological order, distribute the image by geotags and create his own travel map. Sharing on social networks and smart search are available in Karambis.

The software works with images of most known formats and has functions for editing and conversion. Able to quickly open a file in different viewing modes, recognize audio and video content and expand capabilities by adding plugins.

The user has access to built-in editor options, opening little-known video and audio, batch conversion, inserting text, resizing a picture, extracting an image from an icon, and more. You can work in the utility via the keyboard, enable thumbnail preview and create screenshots.

The utility converts graphic images into the required format and size, supports popular and RAW digital camera formats, integrates into Windows and has a batch mode.

The converter allows you to quickly change the size of a photo, compress files, manage and process images, publish on the Web, send by mail, change expansion and compression, import from memory cards, set up templates for renaming and apply watermarks. There are versions for 32 and 64 different OS.

Developed by Nero for playing, burning to discs or searching for files in a media catalog. Allows you to edit pictures, create images in ISO and NRG formats, play Blu-Ray and HD movies, and record mp3 files.

Nero Quick Media works with most well-known formats and provides the ability to share material on social networks and video hosting sites. In the utility, the user can create a video presentation and slide show, as well as use a face recognition algorithm.

The multifunctional application allows you to view, organize and edit your photos. It has batch processing, an advanced editor, synchronizes photos with the Android version of the program, uploads material to online galleries and social networks.

The built-in editor is not inferior in functionality to professionals in this industry; it intelligently sorts collections, quickly displays, and edits efficiently with a large set of options. The user can adjust the color depth and palette, overlay captions, open RAW images, create 3D buttons, layouts and collages.

You won’t surprise anyone with photographs and pictures on your computer for a long time. However, such a seemingly ordinary thing as a photo cannot be opened without a viewer. But the problem will disappear by itself if you know what to look for.

Windows Photo Viewer

This is a standard Windows 7 program that is installed along with the operating system. Besides, this is the simplest one you can find. Its functionality is minimal:

• viewing images of all formats;
• automatic display of photos as a slide show;
• increase and decrease;
• Rotate the photo 360 degrees.

He is not capable of anything else. Although why do you need more if its only function is viewing pictures. And he copes with it perfectly. It is also worth noting that this Windows 7 image viewer, due to its simplicity, consumes a minimal amount of RAM, so it starts quickly and works like a clock.

Paint

The well-known standard drawing program for PC. Most often, this is where children begin their acquaintance with computers. However, it is also a good Windows image viewer for almost all common formats.

In addition to multiple drawing features, it has a very useful function of rotating and reflecting the image horizontally and diagonally. In addition, it can be used to save a graphic element in a different format.

Free

- FastStone Image Viewer. A very common image viewer, it has an intuitive interface and is easy to use. Everything is visible, almost all tool buttons are clear at first glance, the folder tree will help you find photos without leaving the program, thumbnails of pictures are shown.

In addition, the utility is notable for its great functionality for editing and minor processing of photos, as well as the ability to view them in full screen mode. In the same mode, you can edit using the pop-up toolbar.

A distinctive feature of the program is the function of collective file renaming, it is called “Batch conversion\renaming”. For more convenient viewing, you can create a slide show with quite interesting settings (display in random order, use of effects and music, compress photos, etc.).

- Picasa. Also a very famous image viewer. It has a design that is both simple and sophisticated. When you open a picture, the editing panel immediately opens using filters (auto-light correction, retouching, removing red eyes, etc.). You can also experiment with colors, brightness, and contrast.

As in the previous program, there is a function for creating slide shows with the addition of various effects, transitions and music. However, this is not the main feature of Picasa. It is famous for its ability to find a specific person in a photo or group photos with a certain personality.

An excellent utility for viewing graphic files. Has a stylish modern design. Supports many well-known and not so well-known image formats. It can be controlled using hot keys, and it is also possible to write a caption for a photo. In addition, with its help, any picture can easily become wallpaper on your desktop.

This utility does not contain any serious editing functions. However, it is somewhat different from its relatives in that it does not need to be installed and is not case sensitive. Therefore, you can safely carry it on a flash drive and use it to view various kinds of images.

Microsoft Office program

The world-famous Microsoft Office software package is installed on almost every computer. It includes a large number of office utilities, including an image viewer. It's called Microsoft Office Picture Manager.

Its functionality is small, but it is enough for viewing photos and editing them a little. With it you can:

• flip or rotate the image;
• crop or change resolution;
• adjust color, brightness and contrast;
• remove red eye, etc.

This utility is capable of opening graphic elements in many formats. The only caveat is that the license for the software package from Microsoft is paid, and does not cost that little. But you can find a hacked office on torrents (however, this is highly undesirable, since using pirated programs can result in a hefty fine).

Which one is better to choose?

Of course, it is impossible to definitely say which is the best image viewer. It all depends on the user’s preferences, what functions he wants to see and what to do with the photo. But we can definitely say that it is useful to have a couple of different programs on your computer. For example, you can use a standard utility for simple viewing and Paint for minimal editing and resaving, and additionally install FastStone Image Viewer for advanced actions with graphic files.

We have analyzed the most popular free “viewers” ​​with options for editing, cataloging graphic files, and their paid analogues. We gave each a fair assessment and looked at typical situations and the ease of using different software for specific purposes. The conclusions suggest themselves.

If all you need is to watch photos and pictures downloaded from the Internet in full screen, install one of the trinity IrfanView, FastStone Image Viewer, Universal Viewer. This software is absolutely free, instantly opens files, and conveniently scales. In addition, FastStone Image Viewer supports batch renaming, file conversion, the advantage of IrfanView in creating photo albums, Universal Viewer also supports playback of audio, video, screenshots in any format.

In the category of the best photo viewer for the home, FastStone Image Viewer and XnView are confidently in the lead. They support a large number of formats and have all the simple editing and conversion functions. Well, if you are the proud owner of the Windows 10 operating system and don’t even need basic image editing on your computer, the built-in Windows image and photo file viewer will help out.

In fact, two applications suitable for semi-professional use are XnView and Picasa. The latter will especially please administrators of groups on social networks, because it allows you to easily create collages and can synchronize photos on different devices using a Google account. The only serious contender for the title of professional software in our selection is ACDSee. There is cataloging, processing, cloud synchronization between different copies of the application and other options for specialists, but the price of a licensed copy is steep.

STDU Viewer stands apart because it is used for reading e-books and edit-protected documentation in PDF, Djvu and other similar formats. The choice is yours, and the download link can always be found above. Also, the review did not include quite interesting applications Zoner Photo Studio and Ashampoo Photo Commander Free. The fact is that their functionality goes significantly beyond the scope of a standard weaver and includes, for example, tools for capturing the screen (taking screenshots), adding watermarks, and creating slideshows. Read our other reviews, you will probably be interested