[MS-Win] EXIFTool exists, XnViewMP installs its own regardless, without giving Options

[PolJS]

MS-Win 10.0.19045.6456 64bit

I have a “\Program Files\Utils” folder, in my system’s path, where I keep CLI executables and related files, EXIFTool among them, however XnViewMP installs each version it carries with its installer payload, in its own installation folder.

It would rather be more elegant, during installation, to either detect whether EXIFTool already exists or ask the user to provide a path [also ask if user prefers to keep using installed “production version” (in which case hardlinks could be created by the installer in the XnViewMP installation folder, thus avoiding duplication/bloat) or version carried by the XnViewMP installer package (in which case installer should either proceed as it currently does or ask user to replace already existing EXIFTool with installer’s) — letting the user know whether EXIFTool version carried by installer is newer, also whether it is “production version” or not, would be a nice touch as well!].

[jkm]

This is not a bug. The behavior is by design.

Please use the MP-General Support forum unless you're sure you have a bug.

The application is bundled with Exiftool because Exiftool is essential to the functioning of the application. Since 99.9% (or more) of users do not already have Exiftool installed, this makes sense.

But the application has an option for you to tell it to use your own instance of exiftool (with your own .Exiftool_config) if you have one.

You'll find the setting to specify the path to Exiftool in Tools->Settings:Integration:Paths

Please read the new features guide to learn more about Exiftool integration.
viewtopic.php?t=50370

There's also an FAQ about using your own Exiftool: viewtopic.php?t=49746

Hopefully this helps...

[PolJS]

Appreciated — apparently I have missed some facts!

I have not seen an option, during installation, to either install EXIFTool included with XnView or use my own, though — is such an option given, during installation?

[jkm]

No, there is no option given during installation. Probably because the developer does not want his application broken by someone's malfunctioning or excessively old exiftool. So the app is bundled with a version that is tested and works. It is important that the application work correctly on first install.

After installation, you're free to use a different exiftool, as I've said.

[PolJS]

Understood — thanks!