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d2phap/imageglass

13,095C#Audience · generalComplexity · 1/5LicenseSetup · easy

TLDR

A free, lightweight Windows image viewer supporting over 90 file formats including modern ones like WEBP, HEIC, and JXL that the built-in Windows photo viewer cannot open.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((ImageGlass))
    File formats
      90 plus formats
      WEBP HEIC JXL
      GIF and SVG
    Versions
      Classic free download
      Store paid version
    Setup
      Windows installer
      Optional WebView2
    Community
      GitHub issues
      Discord server
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Code map

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Things people build with this

USE CASE 1

View and browse photos in modern formats like WEBP, HEIC, or JXL that Windows Photo Viewer cannot open.

USE CASE 2

Replace the default Windows image viewer with a faster, format-compatible alternative.

USE CASE 3

View GIF animations or SVG files directly without opening a web browser.

Tech stack

C#.NETVisual Studio

Getting it running

Difficulty · easy Time to first run · 5min

Optional WebView2 Runtime needed for some display features, requires Windows 10 version 1809 or later (64-bit).

Free to use and modify, but any version you distribute must also be open-source under the same GPL license. (GPLv3)

In plain English

ImageGlass is a free image viewer for Windows, designed to open and browse photos and graphics with a clean, minimal interface. It supports over 90 file formats, including common ones like PNG, GIF, and SVG as well as newer formats like WEBP, HEIC, and JXL that many built-in Windows tools do not handle well. The software comes in two versions. The Classic version is available for free download from the project website and can be used for both personal and commercial purposes without charge, though registration is recommended for business use. The Store version is sold through the Microsoft Store, includes a 7-day trial, and adds automatic background updates so you do not have to manage updates yourself. Both versions have the same full set of features. Setup is straightforward: download an installer for Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit, version 1809 or later). An optional component called WebView2 Runtime can be installed separately if you need certain additional display features. The project is built in C# and developed with Visual Studio on Windows 11. ImageGlass is licensed under GPLv3, which means the source code is open and freely available. The developer accepts donations and optional paid registrations through the website to fund continued development. Community support is available through GitHub issues and a Discord server. If you are looking for a lightweight alternative to the default Windows photo viewer, particularly one that handles a wider range of modern image formats, ImageGlass is a well-maintained option with a straightforward feature set.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1
How do I set ImageGlass as the default viewer for WEBP and HEIC files on Windows 11?
Prompt 2
Which image formats does ImageGlass support that the built-in Windows Photos app does not handle?
Prompt 3
How do I build ImageGlass from its C# source code on Windows using Visual Studio?
Prompt 4
What is the difference between the free Classic version and the Microsoft Store version of ImageGlass?
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