FastStone Image Viewer

If you’re like me,  you probably like looking at saved and imported photos on your computer.   Since 2009, and the release of Windows 7, we have come to rely on a program called Windows Photo Gallery (I believe originally called Windows Live Photo Gallery).  Microsoft has not updated this program since 2012.   It’s likely that they will be phasing it out in favor of Photos, a product of Windows 10.   To be honest with you, I think Photos is junk.   I e-mailed all of my Windows clients 3 or 4 months ago.  I told  you that I was going on a quest to find the best replacement for Windows Photo Gallery.   Today I have found it.

Here is what I was looking for in finding a replacement photo gallery style viewer

– Free or no cost

– No ads, pop ups or trickery

– Organize photos into files and folders and view existing files and folders

– Import photos from a mobile device or camera

– Can perform light edits on folders

We have a winner — Fast Stone Image Viewer.    This has been on the market for 10 + years.  It has been updated recently for Windows 10.  It comes from Canada.  Fast Stone is friendly and easy to use.

I would recommend that you learn about it by visiting the following link and then downloading it and installing as your primary photo viewer / manager.

http://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm

There is no charge for Fast Stone Image Viewer.   The developer operates on the donation principle.  If you like it, go back to the site and give a donation for it.  No donation is required.  In my opinion,  I think $5 to $10 would be highly appreciated by the people being this valuable program.

If you are looking for a program that can re-size photos and make them smaller, FastStone has an answer for that too.  Likewise, it is free.  A donation is optional.

FastStone Photo Resizer

http://www.faststone.org/FSResizerDetail.htm

In the near past, a client asked me — do you actually use the software you recommend?   Yes, I do. I would not make a recommendation without thoroughly checking out what I am telling to use.    As of today, Fast Stone Photo Viewer is my photo gallery manager of choice for Windows.