Download Pictureflect Photo Viewer

Download & upgrade FAQs

• What is the difference between the Store and non-Store variants of the app and which one should I install?

  The Store and non-Store variants offer the same features. There are two main differences to consider.

  If you want to purchase the Pro version upgrade from the Microsoft Store and not Pictureflect's reseller, then you need to install the Microsoft Store variant (but you still have the two purchase options). If unsure, install this variant.

  If you want the flexibility of choosing a release channel with or without automatic updates, or offline install, you need to install the non-Store variant.

• Can I switch from/to the Store variant, or even install both?

  Yes, you can switch releases. Technically the Store variant can be installed alongside the non-Store variant but the apps will have the same display name, which may cause problems, so it is not recommended. It is recommended to uninstall the other variant first. However, please see this important info about the Pro version before you uninstall the Store variant.

• What are the different 'channels' and 'fixed version numbers' offered for download from Pictureflect?

  The 'Microsoft Store' channel refers to the variant of the app available in the Store, and other channels refer to the non-Store variant. Each release channel receives updates independently.

  The 'Beta' channel may contain version numbers that are not very well tested, but we encourge people to download this and offer feedback if they don't mind the occasional bug.

  The 'Current' channel is the one most people should use. A new version number will usually be released to the 'Beta' channel at least 2 weeks before the 'Current' channel, unless it is very minor. Often the 'Beta' and 'Current' channels will be on the same version number if there is a long period between releases.

  The 'Slow' channel will usually be at least 2 months behind the 'Current' channel, and only updated if there are no issues encountered in the 'Current' channel. This is unnecessarily convervative for most users, but people who rely on the app critically for work may prefer this channel, or to install the manual update sub-channel.

  Each of the non-Store release channels has automatic and manual update sub-channels. The automatic updates should be managed by Windows and installed in the background soon after a new version number is released. The manual update sub-channel requires you to go to 'More' in the app's main menu, then click 'Check for updates'. It should say if an update is available and offer an 'Update now' button.

  The downloads with channel 'Fixed version number' do not receive updates - you will need to come back to this page to download an update. The 'Online' link is a simple immediate install option. The 'Offline' link downloads a Zip archive that can be used to install the app later while offline.

• How can I install the app offline?

  In the 'All downloads' table, select one of the 'Offline' options. This will download a zip archive containing the files needed to install that version number. Extract the zip archive contents and go into the nested folder if needed. If desired read the 'InstallationInstructions.txt' file contained in this folder. However, all you need to do is right-click on the file 'Install.ps1' and click 'Run with PowerShell'. Note that the app will no receive automatic updates if installed in this manner.

• What is the Pro version and why upgrade?

  The Pro version is an in-app purchase that enables additional features, including the following.

  • Thumbnail view
  • Transition effects
  • Video support
  • Advanced image effects
  • Image inspector with histogram

  It is available no matter what variant/channel/version number of the app you installed (but you can only purchase it from the Store if you installed the Store variant).

  The standard Pro version license allows you to install the Pro version on up to 10 devices that you own or share. Alternative options are available for organizations (see the rest of the FAQs).

• How do I purchase the Pro version and how much does it cost?

  Either go to More (in the app main menu) > Pro upgrade/trial, or try to use a Pro feature in the app and you will be prompted to upgrade. If you installed the app from the Store, you will be offered a choice to purchase the Pro version from the Store or from Pictureflect (via our reseller, Paddle.Com). If you purchase from the Store, you can also register the license with Pictureflect later.

  The cost is approximately $4.99 in the US and Western Europe, but cheaper in many other regions. Note there may be some price differences bewteen the Store and non-Store purhase options due to differences in the way tax is added and exchange rates and transaction fees are applied. Please contact info@pictureflect.com if you think the price is incorrect.

  There are bulk discount and offline licensing options available for organizations (see the rest of the FAQs).

• I have already purchased the Pro version. Can I use it in another variant (Store or non-Store) of the app?

  Yes!

  If you have purchased the Pro version from the Store, this is a two-step process involving both the Store and non-Store variants of the app.

  1. First, register your Pro version license with Pictureflect using the Store variant of the app (version number 3.0.0.0 or later). In the app main menu go to 'More' > 'Manage licenses' > 'Add license' and select 'Use a license I purchased from the Microsoft Store'. On the next screen, click 'Associate license', enter your preferred email address and follow any additional instructions. Note that you can do this on any device where you are signed in to the Microsoft Store using an account which has purchased the Pro version.
  2. Second, in the non-Store variant of the app where you would like to use the license, go to 'More' > 'Manage licenses' > 'Add license' and select 'Use a license registered to my email address'. On the next screen, sign in using the email you entered in the previous step then select the Pro version license that you registered in the previous step and follow any additional instructions.

  If you purchased the Pro version from Pictureflect, you can go to main menu > 'More' > 'Manage licenses' > 'Add license' and select 'Use a license registered to my email address'. You cannot use the same device license for the Store and non-Store variants of the app is because your device identifier is different between the Store and non-Store variants of the app (which is a privacy protection mechanism imposed by Windows), so they are treated like separate devices. You sould bear this in mind if you choose the 'non-transferable' option when creating a device license, because then the device license is only valid for one device identifier and cannot be transfered to another one (so you will permanently use up two of your device license quota of 10 for the standard Pro license if you install both the Store and non-Store variants of the app and choose the 'non-transferable' option when adding a license for each one).

• Do you offer a bulk discount for the Pro version?

  Please contact info@pictureflect.com to dicuss bulk discounts. A minimum of 10 licenses will be considered. We can also offer a slightly different licensing system to faciliate management of the licenses by a single person/email. We also offer offline licensing.

• Do you offer offline licensing for the Pro version?

  Yes, we offer three types of offline licensing - single device licenses for individuals, multiple licenses for organizations and relicensing for organizations.

  Please contact info@pictureflect.com to discuss multiple licenses for organizations or relicensing for organizations. In the case of relicensing, we provide you with a relicensing key and a simple app that allows you to issue licenses for devices in your organization.

  Individuals can purchase a customer license that can be used to license a single device, online or offline. This is for advanced users only and is roughly 4/5 of the cost of the standard Pro version license (which allows you to license up to 10 devices that you own). For offline devices the license is not transferable to another device once created. Instructions for generating the license can be found in the app under 'More' > 'Manage licenses' > 'Add license' > 'Generate a license for an offline device'. This requires Pictureflect Photo Viewer version number 3.0.1 or higher. The license can be purchased here.

• Can you provide advice for use in an enterprise environment?

  Please contact info@pictureflect.com to discuss your specific requirements.

  As described above, we offer an offline installation mechanism, and also bulk discounts and offline licensing for the Pro version upgrade.

  We are using the relatively new MSIX packaging technology that can generally be managed with PowerShell.