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The igcmd.exe command-line tool provides powerful automation capabilities for ImageGlass, enabling you to integrate image viewing features into scripts, workflows, and system operations.

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Getting Started

The igcmd tool is located in your ImageGlass installation directory (typically C:\Program Files\ImageGlass\).

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Basic Usage

igcmd.exe <command> [arguments] [options]

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Available Commands

ImageGlass CLI provides 14 commands organized by functionality:

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Quick Setup & Configuration

  • quick-setup - Launch the quick setup wizard
  • check-for-update - Check for ImageGlass updates

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Wallpaper & Lock Screen

  • set-wallpaper - Set an image as desktop wallpaper
  • set-lock-screen - Set an image as Windows lock screen

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File Associations

  • set-default-viewer - Register ImageGlass as default photo viewer
  • remove-default-viewer - Unregister ImageGlass as default photo viewer

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Image Operations

  • export-frames - Export frames from animated images
  • lossless-compress - Compress images without quality loss
  • start-slideshow - Start a slideshow from a specific image

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Customization

  • install-languages - Install language packs
  • install-themes - Install theme packs
  • uninstall-theme - Remove a theme pack

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Performance

  • set-startup-boost - Enable startup boost (launch with Windows)
  • remove-startup-boost - Disable startup boost

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Global Options

These options can be used with most commands:
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--ui
flag
Show UI dialogs for success/error messages
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--per-machine
flag
Apply settings system-wide (requires administrator privileges)
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--hide-admin-error-ui
flag
Suppress administrator permission error dialogs

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Exit Codes

All igcmd commands return standard exit codes:
CodeNameDescription
0DoneCommand completed successfully
1AdminRequiredAdministrator privileges required
2ErrorGeneral error occurred
3Error_FileNotFoundSpecified file not found

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Checking Exit Codes

# Windows Command Prompt
igcmd.exe set-wallpaper "image.jpg" Centered
echo %ERRORLEVEL%

# PowerShell
igcmd.exe set-wallpaper "image.jpg" Centered
echo $LASTEXITCODE

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Command Reference

For detailed documentation of each command, see:

All Commands

Complete reference of all 14 commands

Quick Setup

Initial configuration wizard

Set Wallpaper

Desktop wallpaper management

File Associations

Default photo viewer registration

Export Frames

Extract frames from animations

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Examples

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Set wallpaper and check result

igcmd.exe set-wallpaper "C:\Photos\landscape.jpg" Stretched
if %ERRORLEVEL% EQU 0 (
    echo Wallpaper set successfully
) else (
    echo Failed to set wallpaper
)

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Install multiple themes

igcmd.exe install-themes "theme1.igtheme" "theme2.igtheme" --ui

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Set default viewer with confirmation

igcmd.exe set-default-viewer ".jpg;.png;.gif" --ui --per-machine

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Error Handling

When using igcmd in scripts, always check exit codes: 
@echo off
igcmd.exe set-wallpaper "photo.jpg" Centered

if %ERRORLEVEL% EQU 1 (
    echo Administrator privileges required
    echo Please run as administrator
    exit /b 1
)

if %ERRORLEVEL% EQU 3 (
    echo File not found: photo.jpg
    exit /b 1
)

if %ERRORLEVEL% NEQ 0 (
    echo An error occurred
    exit /b 1
)

echo Success!

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Configuration Files

Some commands can be configured using ImageGlass configuration files:
  • User settings: %APPDATA%\ImageGlass\Config\
  • Machine settings: %ProgramData%\ImageGlass\Config\
Use the --per-machine flag to modify system-wide settings (requires admin rights).

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See Also

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