Picasa3 Too Intrusive
 

How does one control Picasa 3 from being the default image grabber. I would like to choose when I want Picasa to accept an image. I want to use Picasa as an optional tool not the default system for images.

What you are referring to is "file associations". Most files within your computer are associated to a specific program. When you double-click on the file or image, that file/image is opened by the program that is associated with that file-type.

You can change these file associations. Here is a link that will explain how to change the file associations for Windows XP: (If you are running a different Windows version, do a Google search for "changing file associations in Windows __ [whichever version you are using])

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307859

Configure Picasa Photo Viewer'
 

I think by default, Picasa installs a Photo viewer which takes over the other image viewers..

If you are on vista or 7, its easy.

1. Start Menu - type 'picasa' or 'photo' . there will be an entry called 'Configure Picasa Photo Viewer'

2. Click on that link. It will open up the viewer file associations.

3. Select or Deselect to your haert's wisk! That's it!!

Picasa Photo Viewer
 

Oops.. Sorry for the typo!

While configuring the viewer, you can also select not to use the viewer al all. Thanks!!