5.0.1 - Windows darktable.exe <folder path> does not import folder

[naisanzaa]

Is there an existing issue for this?

• [x] I checked and did not find my issue in the already reported ones

Describe the bug

When importing a folder path from the command line, it doesn't import the folder. Darktable runs as if opened normally.

• Recursive is enabled in Import UI window

Steps to reproduce

1. C:\Program Files\darktable\bin> .\darktable.exe "G:\path\to\folder"
2. Enter

Expected behavior

Should be the same as on Mac and Linux

Logfile | Screenshot | Screencast

C:\Program Files\darktable\bin>darktable.exe --version
darktable 5.0.1
Copyright (C) 2012-2025 Johannes Hanika and other contributors.

Compile options:
  Bit depth              -> 64 bit
  Debug                  -> DISABLED
  SSE2 optimizations     -> ENABLED
  OpenMP                 -> ENABLED
  OpenCL                 -> ENABLED
  Lua                    -> ENABLED  - API version 9.4.0
  Colord                 -> DISABLED
  gPhoto2                -> ENABLED
  GMIC                   -> ENABLED  - Compressed LUTs are supported
  GraphicsMagick         -> ENABLED
  ImageMagick            -> DISABLED
  libavif                -> ENABLED
  libheif                -> ENABLED
  libjxl                 -> ENABLED
  LibRaw                 -> ENABLED  - Version 0.22.0-Devel202403
  OpenJPEG               -> ENABLED
  OpenEXR                -> ENABLED
  WebP                   -> ENABLED

Commit

No response

Where did you obtain darktable from?

darktable.org / GitHub release

darktable version

darktable 5.0.1

What OS are you using?

Windows

What is the version of your OS?

Windows 11 Home

Describe your system

------------------
System Information
------------------

         Operating System: Windows 11 Home 64-bit (10.0, Build 26100) (26100.ge_release.240331-1435)
                 Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
                Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7700 8-Core Processor               (16 CPUs), ~3.8GHz
                   Memory: 32768MB RAM
      Available OS Memory: 31850MB RAM


---------------
Display Devices
---------------
           Card name: AMD Radeon(TM) Graphics
        Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
           Chip type: AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x164E)
            DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
      Display Memory: 16384 MB
    Dedicated Memory: 459 MB
       Shared Memory: 15924 MB
        Current Mode: 2880 x 1800 (32 bit) (100Hz)
      Driver Version: 32.0.13018.6
 

Are you using OpenCL GPU in darktable?

None

If yes, what is the GPU card and driver?

No response

Please provide additional context if applicable. You can attach files too, but might need to rename to .txt or .zip

No response

[naisanzaa]

This works in Mac but not in windows

[zisoft]

See #18892

[naisanzaa]

tried with darktable-cli.exe as well

• using backslashes didn't work
• using double backslashes didn't work

PS C:\Program Files\darktable\bin> .\darktable-cli.exe --import ""
warning: unknown option '--import'

and using a full path just fails silently and returns --help

PS C:\Program Files\darktable\bin> .\darktable-cli.exe "G:\pictures\"
darktable 5.0.1
Copyright (C) 2012-2025 Johannes Hanika and other contributors.

<https://www.darktable.org>
darktable is an open source photography workflow application and
non-destructive raw developer for photographers.
GNU GPL version 3 or later <https://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html>
This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it.
There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.

Usage:

  darktable-cli [IMAGE_FILE | IMAGE_FOLDER]
                [XMP_FILE] DIR [OPTIONS]
                [--core DARKTABLE_OPTIONS]

Options:
   --apply-custom-presets <0|1|false|true>, default: true
                          disable for multiple instances
   --bpp <bpp>, unsupported
   --export_masks <0|1|false|true>, default: false
   --height <max height> default: 0 = full resolution
   --width <max width> default: 0 = full resolution
   --hq <0|1|false|true> default: true
   --upscale <0|1|false|true>, default: false
   --style <style name>
   --style-overwrite
   --out-ext <extension>, default from output destination or '.jpg'
                          if specified, takes preference over output
   --import <file or dir> specify input file or dir, can be used'
                          multiple times instead of input file
   --icc-type <type> specify icc type, default to NONE
                     use --help icc-type for list of supported types
   --icc-file <file> specify icc filename, default to NONE
   --icc-intent <intent> specify icc intent, default to LAST
                     use --help icc-intent for list of supported intents
   --verbose
   -h, --help [option]
   -v, --version
PS C:\Program Files\darktable\bin>

[github-actions[bot]]

This issue has been marked as stale due to inactivity for the last 60 days. It will be automatically closed in 300 days if no update occurs. Please check if the master branch has fixed it and report again or close the issue.

[WildRikku]

See #18892

I thought so, too, but I think OP wants to import a folder into the database for use with the GUI, not for batch conversion on the CLI. (I stumbled upon both issues since I had a similar problem, but mine will hopefully be fixed by the fix for the other issue).

[naisanzaa]

I thought so, too, but I think OP wants to import a folder into the database for use with the GUI, not for batch conversion on the CLI. (I stumbled upon both issues since I had a similar problem, but mine will hopefully be fixed by the fix for the other issue).

ya! that's correct. I'm trying to just import pictures the same way you can on mac and linux