One of these days I really need to count the number of time I use IrfanView on any given day. Even on a slow day, I bet it is at least ten times. Most of the time I use it to view a variety of bitmap formats. Sure, you probably have another image editor that can preview the files, but how long does it take to load? IrfanView does it instantaneously!

While viewing files quickly is my primary task, it also comes in quite handy for converting files. This is especially true when I get a bitmap in a somewhat obscure format, at least one obscure enough that I rarely use it. IrfanView has the ability to open a huge number of formats and variations of formats. So I open the file and immediately resave the file into a more mainstream format that I can then use in my other software.

As you can see from the graphic I included, there are many more tasks where IrfanView can help. One of the most powerful is batch processing. Have a bunch of digital photos from a camera that you want to resample to a smaller size? Tell IrfanView what you want and let it do all the work! Oh, I guess I should also mention it is free so everyone should get a copy.

I have certainly written about IrfanView in the past, so I’m guessing many of you already have a copy. Even if that is the case, go to their Web site and download/install the latest version. It is updated several times a year. While you are there, also make sure to download the “Plugins/AddOns” as they allow IrfanView to do even more.