WIN7 Install – Application Closes Instantly

[merlewine]

I am using Windows 7. Have installed the program, tried placing it in the ROOT Directly (C:) as well as Windows directly. I right-clicked "Run as Administrator" and placed on Desktop. When I drag any file into it (.NEF), it opens displays for a microsecond and closes. What am I doing wrong?

[Phil Harvey]

Rename the app to "exiftool(-k).exe" for it to pause before exiting.  Without the -k option it will exit immediately.  (ExifTool lets you place options inside brackets in the app name.  Note that I have never seen another app that does this, so as far as I know the feature of adding options to the app name is unique to ExifTool.)

- Phil

[merlewine]

Well, I did that. I renamed the file, placed it both in the ROOT directory and in WINDOWS. I ran as asminstrator and then copied the file to the desktop and tried to drag files into it. It still appears and vanishes. Any ideas?

[Phil Harvey]

Try opening cmd.exe and running ExifTool from inside there.  (drag and drop exiftool onto the cmd.exe window, then drag and drop your NEF, then press RETURN).  You should then be able to see any error messages that may occur without the window closing.  My guess is that the ExifTool install might have failed (a-la note b in the Windows install instructions).

- Phil

[merlewine]

I did what you suggested and got the message " 'C:\exiftool' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

[merlewine]

I also deleted the ZIP and files and reinstalled before doing the CMD prompt thing.

[Phil Harvey]

I don't understand why it wouldn't recognize the app when you drag and drop it in the cmd.exe window.  Also, I don't understand why it says "C:\exiftool" in the message and not "C:\exiftool(-k).exe".  Unfortunately I can't test this on a PC right now, but I will do so when I get a chance to see if I can figure out what may be happening.

But one thing:  Did you also delete the temporary files before trying again (as per the instructions in my link above)?

- Phil

[merlewine]

I did delete them. And then reinstalled the app.

Perhaps what I need is a list of steps from the beginning. I am on a PC, windows 7, fast machine, lots of RAM (128 GB), SSD, etc.

Of course, I really need this tool if we can figure it out.

[Phil Harvey]

There are step-by-step instructions for running exiftool from the command line here.

Note that in the installation instructions, "exiftool.exe" should be placed in the "C:\WINDOWS" directory.

- Phil

[ryerman]

Rename the app to "exiftool(-k).exe" for it to pause before exiting.  Without the -k option it will exit immediately.  (ExifTool lets you place options inside brackets in the app name.  Note that I have never seen another app that does this, so as far as I know the feature of adding options to the app name is unique to ExifTool.)

- Phil

FYI
Here's another command line tool that also allows adding options to the app name:
http://www.rw-designer.com/picture-resize

[Phil Harvey]

Here's another command line tool that also allows adding options to the app name:
http://www.rw-designer.com/picture-resize

Thanks for the link.  Good to know.  So ExifTool isn't unique this way.

- Phil