# IrfanView

Application: Irfan Skiljan

Also called irfan view, iview

Irfan Skiljan, Creative

A tiny fast image viewer that still needs a plugin pack for some formats. i_view64.exe is the process. It is not Photos.

## What you need to know

IrfanView is a tiny viewer. It is not Windows Photos.

i_view64.exe is Irfan Skiljan's viewer. Some formats need the plugin pack from irfanview.com. Photos is Microsoft.

- **What is it?**: Image viewer

  **Still current?**: Yes, see Current status

  **Official download?**: Use the vendor link in this article

Feex says

If i_view64.exe is the process, that is IrfanView, not Photos. I would not hunt the Microsoft Photos app to explain a missing RAW plugin.

## What is IrfanView?

IrfanView is a lightweight image viewer and converter. The Windows 64-bit executable is i_view64.exe.

## If you have never used it

IrfanView is a small fast image viewer. i_view64.exe is the 64-bit process. It is not the Windows Photos app. Some formats need the official plugin pack from irfanview.com. Download the viewer and the plugins from that site.

## What is it used for?

**Fast view**

Open JPEG and PNG instantly. Photos is the Microsoft app. This is IrfanView.

**Batch convert**

Rename and convert folders. Photos does not do this the same way.

**Plugin formats**

RAW and extras need the plugin pack. That ZIP is official. XnView is a different viewer.

## Who is it for?

- People who want a tiny viewer
- Anyone who hates Photos
- Users who forgot the plugin pack

## Current status

IrfanView (1996) is a current image viewer from Irfan Skiljan. The vendor still points Windows users at https://www.irfanview.com/.

## How old is it?

Irfan Skiljan shipped IrfanView in 1996. Windows Photos is a Microsoft Store app that keeps changing names. Current IrfanView is still the tiny viewer plus an optional plugin ZIP.

## Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

Current Windows build

## System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

### Minimum

| Operating system | A current supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 release, per the vendor |
| ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| RAM              | Enough for Windows plus this app. Heavy projects want more.          |

## Resource profile

- **CPU demand**: Follows what you open inside the app

  **RAM demand**: Follows documents, tabs, or libraries

## Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

| i_view64.exe | Main Windows executable |
| ------------ | ----------------------- |

## Startup components

IrfanView does not need to start with Windows.

## File locations

| Typical install | C:\Program Files\IrfanView\\ |
| --------------- | ---------------------------- |

## File formats

JPEG, PNG, GIF, many via plugins

## Common problems

### RAW will not open

Install the official plugin pack. This is not a Photos codec.

### 32-bit i_view32 leftover

Current Windows is i_view64.exe. The 32-bit exe is the old name.

## Getting unstuck

### Confirm i_view64.exe

Program Files\IrfanView is the app. Photos is a Microsoft Store package.

### Install plugins from irfanview.com

The plugin ZIP is a separate download. Do not use a random pack.

### Set file associations in IrfanView

Properties > Set file associations. Settings > Apps can steal them back.

## Alternatives

XnView MP, ImageGlass, and Photos overlap. Photos does not replace IrfanView batch convert.

## Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

| Download      | [www.irfanview.com/ ](https://www.irfanview.com/)Official installer or vendor page        |
| ------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Help          | [www.irfanview.com/main_help.htm ](https://www.irfanview.com/main_help.htm)Vendor support |
| Official site | [www.irfanview.com/ ](https://www.irfanview.com/)Start here, not a random exe host        |

## Related hardware

Any current PC runs it. The point is how small it is.

## Technical details

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[XnView MP: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/xnview)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [IrfanView official site ](https://www.irfanview.com/)· Vendor product page
- [IrfanView help ](https://www.irfanview.com/main_help.htm)· Vendor support
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.

Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Developer**: Irfan Skiljan

  **Category**: Image viewer

  **Process**: i_view64.exe

  **License**: Freeware for home, shareware for business, per IrfanView

  **First released**: 1996

  **Official site**: [irfanview.com](https://www.irfanview.com/)

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/irfanview/)

[Developer guide](https://feex.it/wiki/developers/) | [API policy](https://feex.it/developers/api-policy/) | [Agent guidance](https://feex.it/wiki/llms.txt)