1.9.1 - Portable version creates settings in User folder when Portable selected
Moderators: helmut, XnTriq, xnview, Dreamer
1.9.1 - Portable version creates settings in User folder when Portable selected
1. start portable edition
2. select 'Portable' for settings location
3. `C:\Users\USER\AppData\Roaming\XnViewMP` is created with Thumb.db, XnView.db, xnview.ini
4. close XnView
5. reopen (it has forgotten that I chose Dark theme so I change it), Settings > Paths > Configuration = Portable
6. close XnView
7. `xnview.ini` timestamp in the portable folder has been updated, but not the one in user folder
2. select 'Portable' for settings location
3. `C:\Users\USER\AppData\Roaming\XnViewMP` is created with Thumb.db, XnView.db, xnview.ini
4. close XnView
5. reopen (it has forgotten that I chose Dark theme so I change it), Settings > Paths > Configuration = Portable
6. close XnView
7. `xnview.ini` timestamp in the portable folder has been updated, but not the one in user folder
Re: 1.9.1 - Portable version creates settings in User folder when Portable selected
delete everything and try again
make sure you have write access to the application folder
make sure you have write access to the application folder
Re: 1.9.1 - Portable version creates settings in User folder when Portable selected
Which download link?
Pierre.
Re: 1.9.1 - Portable version creates settings in User folder when Portable selected
I can't reproduce, you should have an old xnview.inirotbus19 wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 1:51 pm 2. select 'Portable' for settings location
3. `C:\Users\USER\AppData\Roaming\XnViewMP` is created with Thumb.db, XnView.db, xnview.ini
Pierre.
Re: 1.9.1 - Portable version creates settings in User folder when Portable selected
I just tried it again. Same issue.
> you should have an old xnview.ini
I don't understand. Do you think I have an `XnViewMP` in my `Roaming` folder from a previous install? No, I deleted it. The portable install is creating an instance in my `Roaming` folder even when I specify 'Portable'.
> you should have an old xnview.ini
I don't understand. Do you think I have an `XnViewMP` in my `Roaming` folder from a previous install? No, I deleted it. The portable install is creating an instance in my `Roaming` folder even when I specify 'Portable'.
Re: 1.9.1 - Portable version creates settings in User folder when Portable selected
i can't reproduce. I have a win10, without folder C:\Users\XXXX\AppData\Roaming\XnViewMP, i unzip XnView on C:\Users\XXXX\Desktop, start it, choose portable, and xnview.ini is created in C:\Users\XXXX\Desktop\XnViewMP
Pierre.
Re: 1.9.1 - Portable version creates settings in User folder when Portable selected
OK, more detail:
I have C: and D: drives. D: for data and downloads, C: for Windows, programs and User data
1. I download https://www.xnview.com/download.php?fil ... in-x64.zip to "D:\Downloads"
2. I extract zip to "D:\Downloads\XnViewMP"
3. I have removed "C:\Users\USER\AppData\Roaming\XnViewMP" from my 'standard' install ("C:\Program Files\XnViewMP")
4. I run "D:\Downloads\XnViewMP\xnviewmp.exe" which starts the 'Startup Wizard'
5. I now see a new folder has been created at "C:\Users\USER\AppData\Roaming\XnViewMP" before I have specified where I want this created
Does that help? I'm on Win11.
I have C: and D: drives. D: for data and downloads, C: for Windows, programs and User data
1. I download https://www.xnview.com/download.php?fil ... in-x64.zip to "D:\Downloads"
2. I extract zip to "D:\Downloads\XnViewMP"
3. I have removed "C:\Users\USER\AppData\Roaming\XnViewMP" from my 'standard' install ("C:\Program Files\XnViewMP")
4. I run "D:\Downloads\XnViewMP\xnviewmp.exe" which starts the 'Startup Wizard'
5. I now see a new folder has been created at "C:\Users\USER\AppData\Roaming\XnViewMP" before I have specified where I want this created
Does that help? I'm on Win11.
Re: 1.9.1 - Portable version creates settings in User folder when Portable selected
so, it creates empty folder, and notrotbus19 wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 6:19 pm 4. I run "D:\Downloads\XnViewMP\xnviewmp.exe" which starts the 'Startup Wizard'
5. I now see a new folder has been created at "C:\Users\USER\AppData\Roaming\XnViewMP" before I have specified where I want this created
rotbus19 wrote: Thu May 29, 2025 1:51 pm 2. select 'Portable' for settings location
3. `C:\Users\USER\AppData\Roaming\XnViewMP` is created with Thumb.db, XnView.db, xnview.ini
Re: 1.9.1 - Portable version creates settings in User folder when Portable selected
yes XnViewMP folder is created but no .ini or .dbrotbus19 wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 6:19 pm 5. I now see a new folder has been created at "C:\Users\USER\AppData\Roaming\XnViewMP" before I have specified where I want this created
Pierre.
Re: 1.9.1 - Portable version creates settings in User folder when Portable selected
> yes XnViewMP folder is created but no .ini or .db
No, "C:\Users\USER\AppData\Roaming\XnViewMP" contains Thumb.db, XnView.db, xnview.ini
However, I didn't mention in the last step that I was switching to Dark theme in the Startup Wizard - that is the crucial difference.
Without Dark theme = no files in folder. With Dark theme = files are created.
However, the folder should not be created at all if the user is selecting portable install.
No, "C:\Users\USER\AppData\Roaming\XnViewMP" contains Thumb.db, XnView.db, xnview.ini
However, I didn't mention in the last step that I was switching to Dark theme in the Startup Wizard - that is the crucial difference.
Without Dark theme = no files in folder. With Dark theme = files are created.
However, the folder should not be created at all if the user is selecting portable install.
Re: 1.9.1 - Portable version creates settings in User folder when Portable selected

Pierre.
Re: 1.9.1 - Portable version creates settings in User folder when Portable selected
Not anybody would go and check if it exist somewhere or understand what's the implication. That's why I suggested to include an .ini file and maybe some other DB files in the ZIP distribution.
Doing so would prevent unexpected interaction with a standard installation on the machine. If one use a ZIP distribution for a portable use it's probably to use XnView on a machine that is presumed not having it installed and/or with a specific configuration, data displayed, sort, play options, 2nd screen (slideshow with own settings - I did so Just a week ago).
Daniel, happy user since 2004 to manage photo and videos albums, make diaporamas (Windows, Linux Ubuntu desktops and Android apps)
Re: 1.9.1 - Portable version creates settings in User folder when Portable selected
This problem is supposed to be fixed in XnView MP 1.9.2. Please check and confirm the bug fix here.
Pierre.
Re: 1.9.1 - Portable version creates settings in User folder when Portable selected
Confirmed fixed. Many thanks.