XnView Software

How can one move images from one instance of XnView to another one by drag & drop?

Go to Settings / General and untick "Allow only one instance of XnView
Then open as many XnViews as you need

Thank you.

That already is deactivated. Sorry, I do not quite understand what the context to my questions is. So what is it?

Elk wrote: Tue Dec 15, 2020 11:51 pm How can one move images from one instance of XnView to another one by drag & drop?

Could you clarify what you wish to do: you have two instances of XnView MP open, displaying the browser or viewer? And you wish to drag an image from where to where?

displaying the browser or viewer?

The browser.

And you wish to drag an image from where to where?

Well, well, from one instance to the other. Or to another program / file manager, etc.

As the browsers of the two instances would overall be displaying the same file tree, you wish in effect to use the two instances to more easily move files within the browser?

As the browsers of the two instances would overall be displaying the same file tree

Sorry, I do not understand. Why the same file tree? What sense would that make?

you wish in effect to use the two instances to more easily move files within the browser?

Sorry, no, why do you think so? I want to move files from one folder to another, in one instance the files of a folder are shown and in the other the files of another folder. I want to move files from one tolder to another.

Elk wrote: Wed Dec 16, 2020 9:03 pm

As the browsers of the two instances would overall be displaying the same file tree

Why the same file tree? What sense would that make?

What I meant was that overall both browser instances are viewing the same set of files, which I referred to as the file tree, but opened to display different folders for example in each instance. I think we both mean the same but are expressing it differently?

Elk wrote:

you wish in effect to use the two instances to more easily move files within the browser?

I want to move files from one folder to another, in one instance the files of a folder are shown and in the other the files of another folder. I want to move files from one folder to another.

Again, I think we are considering the same idea...

I don't know if what you wish to do is possible, have you tried the obvious ways of testing and found that none of the ways you have tried work?


P.S. Did you manage to buy or borrow another mouse, it is always a good idea to have a spare readily available...

I think we both mean the same but are expressing it differently?

Yes. yes, that might be true, of course.

I don't know if what you wish to do is possible, have you tried the obvious ways of testing and found that none of the ways you have tried work?

Yes, of course, that is why I know it does not seem to work. Copying works, moving does not. Besides of that, XnView always seems to show a "*" at the cursor even when moving. Very ennoying. Is there a way to avoid that?

P.S. Did you manage to buy or borrow another mouse, it is always a good idea to have a spare readily available...

No, I didn't. I do need a new one anyway, the others, 3 or 4, are all defect and at the moment I use an tiny, ugly Notebook mouse.

And what is the best way to move files within the same instance (without having to click through a folder tree or such)? Drag & drop to favorits does not work either, or does it?

We have now clarified your question which is good...

I wasn't at all sure whether what you wish to do is possible, but I have meanwhile tied it and been surprised to find that it is possible to drag files between browsers opened in two XnView MP instances, except as you say that the files are copied rather than moved. I can, however see that dragging files between browser windows open in two instances could sometimes be a useful way of rearranging files.

Personally, although drag and drop is a standard way of working, I never normally use it as I am concerned about the risk of messing up if my finger slips during a transfer. I normally use cut and paste, which is easy and safer using the right-click context menu and still quick.

I think the copy rather than move action is normal within the same browser, I believe have seen posts commenting on it, but I don't know if there is a way of moving using, for example, something like the shift key??

Unless Pierre or someone else provides an answer, I would suggest starting a new thread now that the issue is clarified. As behaviour between browser instances seems, surprisingly or not, the same as within a single instance, you might as well ask the simple question:

Is there a way to move rather than copy files by dragging in the browser?

And what is the best way to move files within the same instance (without having to click through a folder tree or such)? Drag & drop to favorits does not work either, or does it?

That is one for michel038...

Yes, two instances or, of course even more, are the best way (for me) to copy / move files / folders.

Personally, although drag and drop is a standard way of working, I never normally use it as I am concerned about the risk of messing up if my finger slips during a transfer. I normally use cut and paste, which is easy and safer using the right-click context menu and still quick.

Ah yes, I should have done / tried that, move / copy and paste, from one instance to another, I just tried, it works. And I tried again drag & drop, moving, and suddenly it works as well, do not know why.

I think the copy rather than move action is normal within the same browser, I believe have seen posts commenting on it, but I don't know if there is a way of moving using, for example, something like the shift key??

Usually the SHIFT key, yes, it did not work until now, but at the moment, it worked. I guess, it will not work always / stop working, may be only in special...situations or so, any idea.

Is there a way to move rather than copy files by dragging in the browser?

Well, I (also) meant, indeed, drag & drop to all programs, e.g. file managers (works with copy / cut and paste, I just tried). So actually the subject here does not seem to be that bad.

So cut and paste actually is for me enough at the moment, but sometimes not as good as drag & drop. I hadn't thought of it at all, it was a very good thought from you.

Elk wrote: Wed Dec 16, 2020 10:27 pm So cut and paste actually is for me enough at the moment, but sometimes not as good as drag & drop. I hadn't thought of it at all, it was a very good thought from you.

When moving a large number of files, yes, drag and drop could be quicker if you accept the possible risk...

But you really need a reliable mouse, that is possibly your main problem!

When moving a large number of files, yes, drag and drop could be quicker if you accept the possible risk...

The risk of sliding off of the mouse button with trembling fingers and drop the files somewhere...

But you really need a reliable mouse, that is possibly your main problem!

Yes yes, I big...fat, reliable, nice mouse...soon is Christmas...

Many thanks!

Your mouse:

Assisting you with this issue, and also with your request a few days ago about zooming in small steps, was complicated by possible problems with your mouse, and those problems seemed at times to involve both the wheel and one of the buttons.

I'm therefore wondering, if both functions seem unreliable, if there might be a problem with the mouse cable or the USB plug.

Another possibility might be that the USB socket on your computer to which the mouse is connected is now unreliable, particularly if as you say several mice that you have are not working correctly. USB connectors that have had a lot of use can become unreliable, so you might try plugging the mouse into another USB connector and then testing it.

Actually I would not think the mouse is out of order, normally (in all of the other programs) it seems to work.

The other mice were quite primitive, cheap ones, so they really were defect. I tested them a few times before throwing them away.

Yes, the USB sockets, I tested them too. I tried the mice and the mouse being still availabe, all of them seem to work properly, also drives
plugged in there or USB sticks.

Ah no, I still have another cableless mouse only to use when I watch movies so I can see the computer display on TV. And that one has the problem you mentioned so to say, the left mouse button is unreliable and sometimes it had happened that it was released while dragging, so the files dropped somewhere I didn't want to. And that mouse - I just tested - works the same like way with XnView like the other mouse. So the mice really seem to be alright (besides of the left mouse button of the one mouse).