ImageGlass 10 Release Plans: Classic Stays Free, Pro Is Coming

With ImageGlass 10 now in its Release Candidate stage and moving toward a final public release, I want to share something openly and early. When ImageGlass 10 is officially released, I plan to introduce a commercial edition alongside the free one. I would rather tell you my intentions now, in plain language, than surprise anyone later.

What Is Changing

When ImageGlass 10 reaches its stable release, it will come in two editions:

• ImageGlass Classic: the free, open-source viewer under GPLv3.
• ImageGlass Pro: an optional paid edition for people and organizations who want an advanced workflow and administration layer on top of the same viewer.

Pro is built mostly around brand-new features created specifically for it, not by taking things out of the free edition. Only a small, already-identified set of existing features will move from ImageGlass 9 into Pro, namely the administrator settings lock and the File Watcher, both aimed at power users and managed deployments rather than everyday viewing. That short list is the extent of it, and the plan is not to keep pulling features out of Classic over time. I know some people use these today, so I did not want to leave that unsaid.

I have not finalized the full Pro feature list or the pricing yet. I am still working through exactly what belongs in Pro and what feels fair to charge, and I would rather take the time to get it right than announce numbers and lists that I might still change. The complete details will be published with the stable release. For now, I want you to hear the direction from me, and to help shape it.

How It Will Work

The commercial model will be respectful and simple. My plan is trust-based licensing with no mandatory account, no device lock, and no intrusive DRM. The source will stay open, and the goal is to keep ImageGlass honest and pleasant to use, whether you are on Classic or Pro.

Businesses Can Still Use Classic

Pro will not be a requirement for commercial use. Classic is licensed under GPLv3, which already allows commercial use under its terms. Pro will exist for those who want official paid features, support, and commercial convenience, not as a gate on the free edition.

Windows Installers Are Moving to MSIX and ZIP

I also want to be transparent about a packaging change on Windows. I recently ran a poll asking whether I should drop the MSI installer in favor of MSIX. The result was close: about 55% in favor and 44% against.

The main concerns from those against were fair ones:

• Limited MSIX support: the App Installer that MSIX relies on is not included by default in some environments, such as VDI setups, Windows Server, and LTSC editions.
• Unfamiliar IT workflows: automated deployment through scripting and enterprise tools such as SCCM, PDQ Deploy, and Group Policy works differently with MSIX than it does with MSI.

After weighing this, I have decided to go ahead with replacing MSI with MSIX. Maintaining the MSI packaging has become a real and ongoing burden, and MSIX offers a cleaner, safer install and update experience for the large majority of users. The official ImageGlass 10 downloads will ship in MSIX and ZIP formats. For teams that still need an MSI, Pro users will be able to request one.

Share Your Thoughts

The rewrite behind ImageGlass 10 has been a long, multi-year effort, and keeping the project healthy over the long run takes sustained time and funding. An optional paid edition lets me keep Classic free and open, keep fixing issues, and keep building, without ads or tracking. If you choose Pro later, thank you. If you stay on Classic, you remain a valued part of this project, and that will not change.

I would genuinely like to hear from you before the final release. If you have questions or feedback about this direction, please join the conversation in the ImageGlass 10 Release Plans Discussion. Your input now will help shape how this rolls out at launch.