TIF files cause issues in Explorer
TIF files cause issues in Explorer
I've encountered an unusual problem where the uncompressed .TIF files from my PhotoSmart 912 camera severely disrupt File Explorer. The application freezes and crashes when attempting to delete photos from the CompactFlash card, and photo viewers like IrfanView also stop working during deletion attempts. Even after copying files to the hard drive or network drive, they remain open in Explorer or a COM Surrogate. Moving them causes Explorer to freeze and eventually crash. Thumbnails also fail to load properly. This isn't an issue I've experienced before with TIF files. None of my 3D renders or photos from other cameras in TIF/TIFF format—whether compressed or not—open and delete without this problem. What happened? Could it be due to an outdated codec for the TIFs that doesn't work well with Windows 10? Do I need a plugin to prevent these files from causing issues? I'm considering switching back to JPEG mode, but I'd also like the ability to move and delete these TIF files smoothly.
Sure, I can help with that. Please let me know which file you'd like to see, and I'll provide a preview.
The camera generates TIF files with two images—one full view and another as a thumbnail. In Irfanview, pressing the previous or next page buttons suggests an installed TIF decoder might be interfering, but your version handles multi-page views without crashing thanks to its internal codecs. Regarding Windows Explorer, it seems unclear; using Total Commander offers similar functionality—like dragging files between windows, using hotkeys (F5 for copy, F6 for move, F8 for delete), and file shortcuts via + for patterns). You can also disable thumbnail previews in folders by following the link provided.
Interesting, thanks for your feedback. I hadn't considered it would be a multi-page TIF file. I'll remove the second page.
You can determine which app has a specific file by using the Handle tool from Sysinternals. Unzip the archive in a folder, then run a command prompt with handle64.ex >list.txt to list open handles and save them to list.txt. Open that file and look for the .TIF extension to identify the image. You can also use PsKill from the same suite to terminate the process by its ID, or try deleting the file in Task Manager if needed.
You might also consider using the Batch conversion / Rename tool in Irfanview to import all TIF files directly from the camera, then transform them into PNG images without loss. This process will remove any unnecessary thumbnails and extra elements you don’t require.
Icaros version 3.3.2 / 3.3.3 Beta 1 is available for free download. VideoHelp might resolve the issue. The preset recommended works well for .tif files. It functions properly with your example cat image, supporting actions like deletion, copying, pasting, and viewing. Compatible with Windows 11 23H2.