Can't get Microsoft Paint to work in command line, Windows 11

[rhgrafix]

I'm trying to get Microsoft Paint to work in Irfanview v4.60 64 bit,
in Options\Properties/Settings\Miscellaneous\ Set external editors:
I found 2 paths online of how the new format looks and neither work, here they are:

C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.Paint_10.2108.1.0_x64_ _8wekyb3d8bbwe\PaintApp
&
%windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{4234d49b-0245-4df3-b780-3893943456e1}

Has anyone else had luck?
Thanks!
-=(RH)=-

[IfThenElse]

Are you including the mspaint.exe at the end of the the external editor command, or just the path of the folder?

On my system, I ran Paint and used Task Manager to look at the Properties of the mspaint.exe process.

For me the full path is:

"C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.Paint_11.2208.6.0_x64_ _8wekyb3d8bbwe\PaintApp\mspaint.exe"

[rhgrafix]

It must be a permissions thing, first I tried your path and it didn't work, then I tried to find it in Explorer, I can't even get past Program Files folder, although I can see the WindowsApps folder. I have "show hidden files" checked but it sends me to the security window to get permissions which I get lost right there.
So I used an Ownership Registry Hack, I have rights in there now, rebooted and it still doesn't work, my path is correct. Even the 3rd field where you can open a 2nd version of Irfanview doesn't work, that path is correct too, IV put it in at install and I have full rights to that folder. At least now I'm getting the little blue circle showing that something is happening, but that's it.
Thanks for any more ideas!? Reinstall IV?

Are you including the mspaint.exe at the end of the the external editor command, or just the path of the folder?

On my system, I ran Paint and used Task Manager to look at the Properties of the mspaint.exe process.

For me the full path is:

"C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.Paint_11.2208.6.0_x64_ _8wekyb3d8bbwe\PaintApp\mspaint.exe"

[IrfanUserGuyxyx]

I found it in the shortcut for Paint in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories (right click the shortcut and click properties)

open notepad or other text editor and type:

start "" %windir%\system32\mspaint.exe %1

save the file somewhere as MSpaint.cmd

shift/right click on that file in explorer and click "Copy as path"

open IrfanView Options-Properties/Settings-Miscellaneous and paste into one of the "Set external editors" locations

click OK

try that

[rhgrafix]

Thanks for helping but that didn't work either.

I found it in the shortcut for Paint in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories (right click the shortcut and click properties)

open notepad or other text editor and type:

start "" %windir%\system32\mspaint.exe %1

save the file somewhere as MSpaint.cmd

shift/right click on that file in explorer and click "Copy as path"

open IrfanView Options-Properties/Settings-Miscellaneous and paste into one of the "Set external editors" locations

click OK

try that

[IrfanUserGuyxyx]

Did you try to look in the shortcut for Paint? On my machine it is in: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories

the program location is in Properties when you right-click on the shortcut. Copy that location to the cmd file.

start "" <Paint program location> %1

the IrfanView Properties/Miscellaneous shoul look like this:

[rhgrafix]

I have the correct path, I navigated to it, cut and pasted it in, many times. Windows 11 has a lot of bugs.

[IrfanUserGuyxyx]

Ah, I didn't notice you were running Win 11..

[JendaLinda]

On my Windows 11 testing machine, I put just "mspaint.exe" without any path in the external editor settings and it wortks for me.

[rhgrafix]

I can tell that that would probably work if there was not some other problem happening, I put that in and I got the little blue circle [wait...] icon telling me something was happening but it still won't open. If I put xxxx.exe or any bad path, then I don't get any [wait...] icon. It's apparent that is isn't a path thing, something else is wrong with my new HP laptop or Windows 11 in general. Thanks for your reply, I'm sure it will help others.

On my Windows 11 testing machine, I put just "mspaint.exe" without any path in the external editor settings and it wortks for me.

[JendaLinda]

Are you using the latest version, Win11 22H2?
What happens, if you try to run mspaint from Command prompt? Either "mspaint" or "start mspaint"

[rhgrafix]

Yes, I am on 22H2.
When I type mspaint from the cmd window it pops right up. I installed https://win7games.com/download/ClassicPaint.zip and that works from the IV external editor line, finally! I don't know why the other paths don't. I have 2 versions of mspaint.exe that came with my new machine, ...11.2201.22.0_x64... & ...11.2208.6.0_x64..., neither work from inside IV, I browsed to each, cut & pasted the paths with the exe at the end, no typos, I did it many times.
Also, I remember from years ago about using Shift+1, 2 or 3 to activate the choice of the 3 command lines, but I noticed in the help files it is not easy to find, not even under the page that explains using the external editor lines. Can you point me to where I can find it?
Thanks,
-=(RH)=-

Are you using the latest version, Win11 22H2?
What happens, if you try to run mspaint from Command prompt? Either "mspaint" or "start mspaint"

[Arnav Randall]

I know that my answer is a bit late, but in case something like this happens, I suggest double-checking the file paths: Ensure that the file paths you found online are accurate and match the actual location of Microsoft Paint on your system. Sometimes, minor variations in file paths can cause issues.

[MikeFletcher]

I think it's worth exploring alternative image editing software: If all else fails, you can explore other image editing software options that are known to work well with Windows 11. Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, or Paint.NET are popular alternatives that might meet your needs.
I totally get the struggle of trying to get Microsoft Paint to work in Irfanview on Windows 11. It can be frustrating when things don't work as expected. Also, you can try looking into Microsoft certifications courses. These courses offer in-depth training on various Microsoft products and technologies, including troubleshooting and optimizing software performance. Gaining some additional knowledge through these courses might help you find a solution to your problem. Keep exploring different resources and forums, as there might be someone who has encountered a similar issue and found a workaround.

[Bhikkhu Pesala]

I have RIOT, FastStone Capture, and Serif PhotoPlus as my external editors. I rarely use them:
1) RIOT is good for compression
2) FastStone Capture is good for adding annotations
3) PhotoPlus is a full photo editor with clone tools, cutout editor for masks, red-eye correction brushes, etc.