Best free Windoze software for basic editing?

captain custard

captain custard

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Edit My Images
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20 years ago I was using Photoshop professionally every day. 20 years later I have no need of anything as comprehensive (and expensive). All I really need to do nowadays from time to time is tweak JPEGs taken with my phone: crop, maybe rotate/level, and adjust brightness, saturation and contrast. A few more features would be nice but they're not essential. Don't need to run actions or do any batch corrections.

What's my best bet for something free that I can use on a Windoze laptop?
 
You could use windows photo editor (built in) for that.

Consider also Irfanview, DigiKam, Darktable, GIMP. There's Snapseed to work online.
 
I have used Adobe Elements for years (one-off payment for perpetual license).

Unfortunately its no longer available with a perpetual license, instead the latest version it stops working after three-years with no options to renew the license. Have to buy it again.

Darktable is worth a look.
 
I think the default Windows photo editor would be enough for what you're describing.
If you're open to online options, check out Photopea, if you want something solely desktop, then Photoscape X or GIMP as mentioned. If you're a portrait photographer, then Photodiva might be worth taking a look at.
 
I've you used Photoshop take a look at Gimp, similar-ish to the old version of Photoshop, while it doesnt have the bells and whistles of the latest PS theres not much you can't do with it
RawTherapee is very powerful, but I find it not intuitive, but it does work well when you figure it out.
Irfanview is basic and simple.
Darktable, another fairly good one, but again not intuitive (to me at least)
Faststone another good easy one for basic stuffl
 
Faststone would do you nicely, I think.
 
swanseamale47 said:
I've you used Photoshop take a look at Gimp, similar-ish to the old version of Photoshop, while it doesnt have the bells and whistles of the latest PS theres not much you can't do with it
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Agreed.

If you use multiple operating systems, it has the advantage of looking the same on all.
 
I still use Elements 5 (20 years old?) for basic moves!
However I'm surprised to see that all the older versions seem to be £20 plus on EBay!
So go free and choose one of the many suggestions ;)
 
i went through the same question a short time ago

tried lots

IMO Gimp is very complex

I settled on Photoscape X

the Editor page has tilt, rotate, crop and 'Adjustents' tab leads you to Auto Contrast, Sharpen etc etc

and its FREE...............:banana:
 
Kell said:
Doesn't your phone have inbuilt editing? iPhones do.

It's a bit 'bull-in-a-china-shop' but will do basic stuff.
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The editing software on my Xiaomi phone is actually pretty good. The issue is really to ask why one would edit on AA phone and not a device with a bigger screen.
 
ancient_mariner said:
The editing software on my Xiaomi phone is actually pretty good. The issue is really to ask why one would edit on AA phone and not a device with a bigger screen.
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TBH - it's personal pref, but because the shots are taken with a phone and the OP only wants to do the most basic editing, I'm not sure it's worth the hassle.

I know when I bother myself to import phone pics into a LR workflow along with shots taken on a camera, I do wonder why I bother. Seeing them on a 27" monitor (even one as poo as mine) really exposes their flaws.
 
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Another for Faststone, I've been using it for years and for most jobs it does perfectly. Oh and its free which is a bonus.
 
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