Requested Auto update function

[Rataplan626]

Hi,
I'd really appreciate an auto-update feature. Now we already have a version check, but you will have to manually download and install the new version. A lot of tools nowadays have an auto-update feature, which downloads the package for you (after you agree to do so ofcourse) and start the setup.

Would that be possible?

[Bhikkhu Pesala]

Almost all things are possible, but they are not all worth it. What we like about IrfanView is its small size. Since it is not updated much more than once a year, an autoupdate option is a waste of code IMO.

[cwb3106]

Needed for Neophytes

This has come up before and I am strongly in favor of it. IrfanView’s simplicity and ease of use are a good fit for users with limited computer skills. Those users benefit from auto update functions.

[Mij]

This has come up before and I am strongly in favor of it. IrfanView’s simplicity and ease of use are a good fit for users with limited computer skills. Those users benefit from auto update functions.

There is a Check for Updates... feature in the Help menu. What does that do if there is an update available?

[Bhikkhu Pesala]

Current IrfanView version is: 4.27

Your IrfanView version is: 4.25

You have an older version, please visit the IrfanView Downloads page if you want to update.

Go back to IrfanView Homepage

[Mij]

That could be a bit more helpful for inexperienced users. I would say that if anything is done to help people to update their program more easily it should be there on the Irfanview website, not embedded in the program.

I hate auto-update functions that try to make you update a program when you do not want to or are trying to do something else.

[cwb3106]

I agree completely with Mij. Updating should be completely under the user control ... but not require visiting web sites. I didn't realize that "check for updates" had been added to the Help menu ... that's a good start. Now if the display from this option was in IrfanView instead of the Web browser and the display offered to downloading+installing updates, it would be nearly perfect. For perfection, the program should offer to check for updates periodically.

[derniwi]

Hi,

I think a second tool for updating IrfanView would be a nice solution. This wouldn't blow up Iview but would help keep it up to date. And a second feature might be a plugin update check, so if just the IrfanView package is updated there might be problems, i.e. with the exif.dll.

Regards, Nils.

[Rataplan626]

Ofcourse the user should be 'in charge'... one might not want to update. However, it should not take too much code to do it for example the Filezilla way. That also has a version check, and if one is there, you can choose whether or not to install it. It then just downloads the installer from one of the mirrors, and it gets installed using some unattended install switches, keeping all current usersettings. Just as Neophytes said, I think it really adds to the user-friendlyness of Irfanview, even if it's not updated alot. For me it's not an issue, but my father for example still runs version 3.something, as he just doesn't know how to install anything..

[zamar18]

Autoupdate feature is de-facto standard in modern consumer software. Its long overdue to fully implement it in IrfanView. Current solution offering to manually check and download updates leads to most users running obsolete releases of IrfanView with old bugs and missing later implemented features. In fact, I just manually downloaded an update, and it didn't even install on top of the older IrfanView version, despite most programs now auto check, uninstall the existing release, and install current one instead. Yet another missing feature making IrfanView look and feel obsolete.

[Jacal]

Well, for many users, IrfanView is a kind of de-facto standard, not a typical "modern consumer software". New versions come once or twice a year, some plugins are updated between versions. Installing on top of an older version mostly works. Checking for updates would be an unneeded slowdown. When old releases have problems, it is the time to update, and, optionally, check this forum. Obsolete in a good way, perhaps.

[zamar18]

for many users, IrfanView is a kind of de-facto standard

In doing what exactly? I use Paint.net and such as free de-facto standard for image editing. And IrfanView mostly to quickly copy-paste screenshots, cut their size, save to file, may be add some notes on the screenshot, resize image. Regardless, there is no justifiable need to avoid compliance with modern software development standards to underscore antique look of IrfanView. And its namely consumer grade and consumers targeting package, though a good one. If you don't want to auto check for updates, just deselect this option in Settings, as offered by almost every package I use.