I have always run IrfanView 32-bit only, and it has been fine. But recently PortableApps said it had an update for "IrfanView 4.60 Rev 2". I assumed that was just the same IrfanView, so I allowed it to proceed. But it didn't update the 32-bit version that I had been using, but instead added a 64-bit version alongside it (separate IrfanView64 folder under PortableApps/IrfanViewPortable/App) and changed PortableApps/IrfanViewPortable/IrfanViewPortable.exe to point to that version. That's not right - I don't need or want the 64-bit version. Does anyone know what's going on?
You are here
[Fixed] IrfanView Portable 4.60 Rev 2 Can't Use 32-bit Plugins
July 14, 2022 - 1:30am
#1
[Fixed] IrfanView Portable 4.60 Rev 2 Can't Use 32-bit Plugins
Visit the Community page
Join our forums
Subscribe to our email newsletter
Subscribe with RSS
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on LinkedIn
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Mastodon
Follow us on BlueSky
Is it bugged? Causing issues?
https://portableapps.com/node/64614
https://portableapps.com/node/66620
“My brain is only a receiver, in the Universe there is a core from which we obtain knowledge, strength and inspiration. I have not penetrated into the secrets of this core, but I know that it exists.”
― Nikola Tesla ―
As for why I want to continue using the 32-bit version, see "Advantages of IrfanView 32-bit over 64-bit version" on this page: https://www.irfanview.com/64bit.htm
Images I work with are normally less than 5MB (I don't think I've ever seen a 25MB one, let alone 1.5GB!), so I don't need 64-bit. And 32-bit is faster, smaller footprint, and runs all plugins without issues.
As for your two links, they are people wanting 64-bit on PortableApps (before it was available) because each of them was doing a very specialized niche thing that needed the 64-bit version. That's almost the opposite of my question. I want to know why PA is claiming to simply be updating what I already have but instead is installing a second piece of software (and making the main shortcut point to it), and what I can do to keep it from doing that (other than always remembering to uncheck the checkbox on Irfanview every time PA launches and says there are updates available).
Dual modes are a way to make apps work better, everywhere or in every situation (a controverted topic already). Making separate apps is more complicated IMO.
I have a tiny advice ↓↓ (editing your installation folders once a year isn't a big deal).
Copy the content of the IrfanView folder and past it into the IrfanView64 one (after deleting everything).
Your OS will be tricked and your setting (Data folder) not altered.
“My brain is only a receiver, in the Universe there is a core from which we obtain knowledge, strength and inspiration. I have not penetrated into the secrets of this core, but I know that it exists.”
― Nikola Tesla ―
This situation isn't dual mode - it is separate apps.
IrfanViewPortable.exeis a single bootstrap file, but the rest is two completely separate applications, and the bootstrap can only point to one of them (currently the 64-bit one). And the settings are all separate, too - the way I knew something strange had happened is that the BG color, default zoom behavior, etc. had all changed (to the defaults of the newly installed 64-bit version). You mentioned the "data folder", but there is no such thing - the settings appear to be saved in thei_view32.ini(ori_view64.ini) file.The exe files inside the folders are named differently, so doing this would break the whole thing. The
IrfanViewPortable.exebootstrap calledIrfanView/i_view32.exebefore the update, and now it callsIrfanView64/i_view64.exe. So replacing the folder contents would create a broken link. Plus, it would be wonky - surely I don't have to do weird hacks just to run the 32-bit program as the default. If necessary, I'd rather leave the folder structure as is and redo all my file extension associations to point directly toIrfanView/i_view32.exe. Still not the way it's supposed to be done, but not quite a hack.You seem to be convinced that the 64-bit program is superior, but it depends on the use case - for most people, 32-bit will be better because it's leaner software and works with all the plugins. So can we please stop arguing the philosophy of why I asked my question, and move on to actually answering it? If you don't know, then let someone else chime in.
I was just trying to help. Good luck!
“My brain is only a receiver, in the Universe there is a core from which we obtain knowledge, strength and inspiration. I have not penetrated into the secrets of this core, but I know that it exists.”
― Nikola Tesla ―
It's now a dual mode app, meaning it contains both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions. The launcher automatically runs the appropriate one for each PC. This is how all PA.c dual mode apps work.
It was changed as some users had specific requests for it. I may switch it back as it seems to be creating more problems than it's worth for the literal handful of users that use it for batch image processing.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Thanks for jumping in, John. I guess what's dual mode is the PortableApps bootstrap, not IrfanView itself. That makes more sense than what I thought the other guy was saying.
I don't do much batch image processing, but I use IrfanView for all my everyday viewing and simple editing of images - I have Photoshop, but IrfanView is way faster and easier to use for the things it can do (which is a surprisingly amount of functionality). And I use the plugins, so I want to keep using 32-bit. I don't normally "port" my PA folder to other computers - it's on my C drive and I tell Windows to associate the various PA apps with appropriate file types. In the case of IrfanView, that's a lot of file types (all images).
Since there are people who want 64-bit (although surely a far, far smaller handful of people than those who use IrfanViewPortable in general - it's only needed in very special edge cases), I hate to ruin their party. Is there a way that I can get the bootstrap to keep calling the 32-bit version even on a 64-bit machine? (Just for IrfanView, of course - for most apps, it makes total sense to run 64-bit on 64-bit machines.) I tried replacing the
IrfanviewPortable.exefile with an old copy from before this update, thinking that it might be a pre-dual-mode bootstrap - I was happy that doing that didn't cause PA to think an update was needed, but it still opened the 64-bit app, so the key that triggers dual-mode is not that file but something else in the file structure.I see this is almost becoming yet another 32-bit VS 64-bit debate (just like in the older threads), but I digress.
Anyway, I have one small question/suggestion (not sure if it was already asked/suggested before), John. How about implementing (and if possible, of course) a simple but useful option (which can be manually added inside "IrfanViewPortable.ini")? For example:
Force32BitMode=true - Makes "IrfanViewPortable.exe" launch ONLY the 32-bit app regardless the OS's bitness.
Force32BitMode=false (default) - Normal and default dual mode behavior we all know about.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but this "workaround-like" option may solve this problem... and satisfying both 32-bit and 64-bit users!
The Dark Giganotosaur, the ghastly dinosaur (currently in human form)
"Portable and stealth apps are all that matters to me!"
Windows 10 x64 (NEVER USED) | Knoppix 8.1+ x64 | Linux Mint 20.3 Xfce x64
Sounds like a good suggestion, to have the option to force a particular 32-bit mode when required
Thank you. Although I'm still waiting for John's opinion on this matter, everyone's opinions are welcome.
Sometimes we need to show some initiative and provide suggestions (as long as they're feasible, reasonable, and satisfies both 32-bit and 64-bit users) and hope for the best.
And just to add to my previous post, manually "mangling" with the contents inside the "WhateverPortable\App" folder isn't always a viable solution to whatever problems we may have. Problems should be best solved in an official way, not by ourselves (unless we have no other options left).
The Dark Giganotosaur, the ghastly dinosaur (currently in human form)
"Portable and stealth apps are all that matters to me!"
Windows 10 x64 (NEVER USED) | Knoppix 8.1+ x64 | Linux Mint 20.3 Xfce x64
And of course I also agree with this idea. I have no idea if it's hard or easy to implement, but it would perfectly solve the issue.
Thanks!
As for whether it's hard or easy to implement, we'll leave that one up to John to decide.
The Dark Giganotosaur, the ghastly dinosaur (currently in human form)
"Portable and stealth apps are all that matters to me!"
Windows 10 x64 (NEVER USED) | Knoppix 8.1+ x64 | Linux Mint 20.3 Xfce x64
A new option has been added to the launcher. After copying the AppNamePortable.ini from IrfanViewPortable\Other\Source to IrfanViewPortable and renaming it to IrfanViewPortable.ini, you can add a new line of AlwaysUse32Bit=true to the bottom. This will cause IrfanView Portable to always use the 32-bit version on 64-bit Windows. This option is detailed in the included help.html file.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Thank you for both hearing my suggestion and for implementing this option, John! I'm sure that both 32-bit users and 64-bit users will be pleased with this.
Just one quick question, will this new option be included in every App that are dual mode? Not that anyone has had any issues with any of them... yet.
The Dark Giganotosaur, the ghastly dinosaur (currently in human form)
"Portable and stealth apps are all that matters to me!"
Windows 10 x64 (NEVER USED) | Knoppix 8.1+ x64 | Linux Mint 20.3 Xfce x64
It will just be on an as needed basis for now. Eventually it will be added to the PA.c Launcher proper and work with all apps. I adapted it from the Firefox/Thunderbird launcher and kept the same INI format/name where this option existed for plugins like Flash, which are no longer relevant as support was dropped.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Thanks for doing this, and so quickly! It works like a charm.
I noticed a small typo in help.html you might want to fix for clarity. It currently says: "...allows the app to always be run in 32-bit more even on 64-bit Windows..." I think you mean "mode", not "more" - it took me a couple re-reads to figure out what you meant even though I already knew what the text was about, so it might confuse others.
Thanks, will update that typo in the next release.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Even though I don't use IrfanView. Thank you very much John for putting this option in!