HELP! Can't open network files!

[Workaholic]

Hi there,

I’ve had a major issue with XnView MP for years, and it still persists in the current version 1.11.2. It has been discussed here in a similar form, but to my knowledge, no real solution has been found.

When I open image files from local drives, everything works fine

However, when I open image files on the network (Windows domain), the error message File not found appears
This always happens when the images are opened directly from Explorer (double-click). The network folders are mapped as drive letters on my computer; in Explorer, the path is, for example, Z:\PROJECTS\PHOTOS.
The only way to work around the problem is to use the “real” network path in UNC format, e.g., \\SERVER\PROJECTS\PHOTOS.
But that’s not a solution. While I can save favorites with the working UNC paths, I’d naturally also like to be able to open any image file on the server directly. Since this isn’t possible, using XnView MP for network folders doesn’t make sense. Which is a real shame, since I really like the software. I’ve never had this problem with alternative image managers; they open everything on the network without any issues.

I haven’t found any settings in XnView MP that could solve the problem with network folders or even address it.
Is there any solution here?!?

Thanks for any support
Workaholic

[xnview]

are you able to browse files from Z:\PROJECTS\PHOTOS with XnView?

[Workaholic]

Hi Pierre,

thanks for your reply and sorry for my late response

Unfortunately, it's not possible to browse photos from Z:\PROJECTS\PHOTOS. The mapped network drives are not visible at all in XnView MP (unlike in, for example, Explorer).
As I mentioned before, I can only manually add these drives as XnView favorites using UNC paths (\\SERVER\PROJECTS\PHOTOS). Opening the photos directly (e.g., from Explorer) always results in the error message mentioned above.

Therefore, the problem seems to be somehow related to the network shares or the mapped network drives. Strangely, it doesn't occur on another PC in the same domain.

I love XnView MP, a great piece of image software ♥
But unfortunately, I have to use another software on the “problem PC.” So sad...

Workaholic

[jkm]

Are you running XnViewMP as Administrator? If yes, try not doing that. If no, try it.

You could also try enabling linked connections:

In Regedit, in
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/System

create a new DWORD EnableLinkedConnections value 1
Reboot.

If you need more step-by-step, read this.

[xnview]

Therefore, the problem seems to be somehow related to the network shares or the mapped network drives. Strangely, it doesn't occur on another PC in the same domain.

same rights for this mapped drive?

[Workaholic]

Hi jkm,

Are you running XnViewMP as Administrator? If yes, try not doing that. If no, try it.

I ran XnView MP on three PCs with and without administrator privileges, and it made no visible difference.

In Regedit, in
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/System
create a new DWORD EnableLinkedConnections value 1
Reboot.

Thanks, I'll gladly try that

Strangely, I only have these problems with XnView MP, not with comparable programs (tested: ACDSee, IrfanView, Microsoft Photos, FastStone Image Viewer, Zoner Photo Studio).
Could the problem be related to Group Policies in the Windows domain?
I should probably also mention that I'm using the portable version of XnView MP. However, I had similar problems with the setup version.

It's also generally difficult to permanently associate image files with XnView MP. The Associate files with XnViewMP.exe tool doesn't work for me at all, whether with or without administrator privileges. It always ends up in an error message. The only way is to manually associate each individual image format with XnView MP under Windows 10/11.

Workaholic

[xnview]

Strangely, I only have these problems with XnView MP, not with comparable programs (tested: ACDSee, IrfanView, Microsoft Photos, FastStone Image Viewer, Zoner Photo Studio).

When you enter in the path field "Z:\PROJECTS\PHOTOS", what do you have?

It's also generally difficult to permanently associate image files with XnView MP. The Associate files with XnViewMP.exe tool doesn't work for me at all, whether with or without administrator privileges. It always ends up in an error message. The only way is to manually associate each individual image format with XnView MP under Windows 10/11.

"Associate files with XnViewMP.exe" is only used on Win7/8 not Win10/11, you need to use 'Settings>Integration>Register/Open default'

[Workaholic]

Hi Pierre,

same rights for this mapped drive?

Hmm...
Well, I can basically do everything on the mapped drives: write, move, delete, rename...

Workaholic

[jkm]

It's also generally difficult to permanently associate image files with XnView MP. The Associate files with XnViewMP.exe tool doesn't work for me at all, whether with or without administrator privileges. It always ends up in an error message. The only way is to manually associate each individual image format with XnView MP under Windows 10/11.

No it's not. Don't try and do it manually, like you're doing. In Tools->Settings:Integration there is a button "Register application". Use that. There are additional options on that page that should be self-explanatory.

What are the results of enabling linked connections?