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A free program for Windows that allows users to view and manage photos and other multimedia

A free program for Windows that allows users to view and manage photos and other multimedia

Vote: (22 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: mjmengji.com

Version: 2022.11.6.0

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(22 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

mjmengji.com

2022.11.6.0

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • It's a fast, simple to use photo browser
  • Installs quickly and automatically from the Windows Store
  • Uses a clean interface
  • Supports JPG, GIF, and PSD Photoshop images

Cons

  • Lacks advanced editing features
  • Won't recognize other types of media

Although its interface is rather spartan, 123 Photo Viewer is a surprisingly capable photo browser. Its no-nonsense display opens up with a bold "Add Folder" line of text, with a second "Add OneDrive Folder" entry proving that the lightweight photo viewer is also able to monitor your cloud-stored images, too. While other programs in this category tend to use this level of interface simplicity as a springboard towards more advanced features, 123 Photo Viewer is content to rely on its basic features and photo loading speed.

Instead of browsing a website and downloading an installation package, you'll want to open up the Microsoft Store. That's the shopping bag icon sitting on your Windows taskbar. It's from here that the photo browsing App is found. A single click over the big blue "Install" button starts the install operation. Within a few seconds, the install text is swapped out for "Launch." Open 123 Photo Viewer from here, or navigate over to the Windows Start Menu to find its metro-style launch icon. Not quite finished yet, you'll need to click on the plus symbol to select either a OneDrive folder or a locally stored pictures folder. Generally speaking, the UsersPictures directory contains all of your Windows computer's default photos folders. If you have snapshots stored elsewhere on your hard drive, simply use the plus symbol again to add that directory as well.

There's no doubt about it, 123 Photo Viewer is remarkably fast. To achieve this level of workflow fluidity, the software does make sacrifices. For one thing, there's no editing panel included, no advanced settings, and no file conversion menu. There is, however, a search bar and the choice to sort the photos by name or date. These basic features are welcome, especially when the program is expected to keep track of thousands of images. In an age when smartphones have enough internal memory to store several days worth of high definition pictures, that's really not an unusual situation anymore. People really do shoot scores of photographs on their phones. At any rate, the thumbnails render quickly, they expand to become full-sized images as soon as they're clicked, and they swap out for one another without a hitch as soon as a mouse or a keyboard directional arrow is clicked.

Just as a quick by-the-way, 123 Photo Viewer does support common image file formats, including JPG, GIF, and even PSD saved files. That latter feature is impressive. Frankly, Photoshop images aren't usually compatible with basic image viewers. What this program won't do is recognize other media types, so don't be surprised if the software fails to recognize your vacation video clips.

Pros

  • It's a fast, simple to use photo browser
  • Installs quickly and automatically from the Windows Store
  • Uses a clean interface
  • Supports JPG, GIF, and PSD Photoshop images

Cons

  • Lacks advanced editing features
  • Won't recognize other types of media