Making Windows photo viewer play GIFs?


  1. Posts : 2
    W7 RC
       #1

    Making Windows photo viewer play GIFs?


    Hope this is the right section, but.....

    is there a way to get Windows Photo Viewer to play a GIF animation? The XP photo viewer had no problems with this, and i dont understand why microsoft didn't implement it in 7's version (unless they did, and im just stupid).
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  2. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #2

    Hello Asdf916,

    I'm sorry, but GIF files will only play when Internet Explorer is set as the default program to open them instead. They can only be viewed in Windows Photo Viewer.

    Hope this helps,
    Shawn

    Shawn
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 RC
       #3

    I don't see why MS has removed the animated gif viewing feature from photo viewer; it was very convenient in XP.

    Hopefully, it will be something that is remedied in the retail version, along with the lag when viewing standard jpegs in photo viewer.
    Last edited by bolter; 13 Oct 2009 at 01:34.
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  4. Posts : 5,642
    Windows 10 Pro (x64)
       #4

    bolter said:
    Hopefully, it will be something that is remedied in the retail version...
    Nope.
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  5. Posts : 96
    Windows 8.1u1 x64
       #5

    Use Irfanview, the best viewer IMO
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  6. Posts : 396
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #6

    Where is the location of photo viewer? Just so I can change it to the default program for .gif images.

    Edit: Nevermind, I got it.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 34
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
       #7

    bumping this topic instead of posting a new one.

    Is there still no way of fixing this? I hate having to open firefox to view images (IE can screw itself backwards)
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  8. Posts : 31,238
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release and Release Preview]
       #8

    I think that the removal of the function was prompted by the issues with .GIF actually being a propriety standard rather that an open one, that came to light a few years ago.

    http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/gif.html

    The above link to the GNU pages gives some background to this, and although the patent is now lapsed as stated I very much doubt that Microsoft will ever add the functionality back, as it would cause possible legal problems.

    Fortunately other software does not seem to worry about this so something like IrfanView may be the best option
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 13
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #9

    Paarkhi said:
    Use Irfanview, the best viewer IMO
    Thanks, this works perfectly
      My Computer


 

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