Can I disable image preview in XP?

Yes...
And if I can think of it I'll tell you...

Prevent Image and Fax Viewer from Stealing Associations
Written By: Marcus | Authors Website: Visit | Views: 844 | Print Tweak | 9/24/2001


Normally, the Windows Image and Fax Viewer will steal associations from other image viewers, such as AcdSee, so that when you double-click a jpeg (for example) it is opened with WIFV. To prevent this irritating behavior, delete the subkey inside HKCR\SystemFileAssociations\image\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers which I believe was named Preview (before I deleted it, that is).

There ya go, mate...

Right-click on the file, choose "Open with", select "Choose program", select PSP in the list and check "Always use the selected program..."

Alternatively, you can open any folder, inthe Tools menu, select "Folder options" then press on the "File types" tab. Locate the file type you want to change in the list (JPG, GIF, whatever), click on it once and press the "Change button". I think you can figure it out from there.

or you can do it the hard way and listen to Jafo.

Patric...it appears that XP gets a bit anal-retentive at times and steals the association back...unless you do the regedit thing...

I am really sick of apps that steal file associations. Almost every stinkin media app that I install completely ignores my installation choices and associates with all the filetypes I told them not too.

then, in an unrelated note, there's the apps that monkey with your startup. This last install of quicktime set up a registry RUN on the systray app. There was *no* way in the preferences to turn it off. SO, I delete the registry setting. Guess what happens when I use quicktime to watch the Lord of the Rings tralor? IT resets the registry RUN setting. I had to just rename the stupid systray app. makes me sooooo mad.

Thanx guys...........

Indeed. I've had the same annoying problems with Quicktime and the Quicktime plugin. Really rude. As far as I'm concerned Quicktime's sole purpose should be to play LOTR previews. Anything beyond that I don't want.

I couldn't agree more, I have completely eliminated Quicktime from my 'puter and refuse to use it... >

by paxx - 11/19/2002 7:12:55 PM
Right-click on the file, choose "Open with", select "Choose program", select PSP in the list and check "Always use the selected program..."

Also, this is what I always do, it's fast, it's easy and it gets the job done...

listen to paxx. I did it his way months ago.

Unless you leave it running all the time, PSP has to be started to check and reset associations. If Windows Image and Fax Viewer has stolen the file association, you aren't gonna run PSP by clicking on an image.

Windows Image and Fax Viewer steals the association *back* when PSP isn't looking. Note Jafo's 7:09 post above.

Thanks for this thread, I was looking for a way to prevent the preview, too.

I used Jafo's method.....one shot, and it's done.......

I always enjoy deleting unneeded registry-keys.

Jafo is a very smart man, even a full barrel of mead....

'after' (actually I'm the one who drank it, hee hee)

Oh, OK Jafo. Understood.
Didn't know XP stole the file association back. I personnaly enjoy the built-in image previewer. Unfortunatly ACD-See lost me as a customer because of it.
When I want to edit an image I don't double-click on it, I usually open Photoshop first, then drag and drop the image in Photoshop.

Just as a tip, don't forget the right click menu option 'Edit'. You can set it in the file associations, too, and it can be a quick way to open a file in a different app for editing. I have edit set to Photoshop and open set for ACDSee.

I don't normally open images open images by double clicking either, paxx....... I usually open with the PSP browser. It's just those times I'm rummaging around in a folder, and decide to open one that I had this problem.....that's why I could never get used to it...........

The PSP browser makes ACDSee pretty much unnecessary also.

Photoshop 7.0 has a pretty spiffy image browser, but I don't use it that much. I either have projects set up on my desktop, or I am rummaging through the files themselves. PS is a lot to load just to view/sort, etc.

Powerdesk has its own viewer so I use that for browsing....and double clicking brings up PSP for editing....