i tested again on 2 different computers and also from USB drive, for me works well at least on C, G,H, I i couldn't try other drives because were busy ,but i can't see why should not work also on a on F drive

anybody else want test ? i removed the file but i may upload again somewhere if request

Is it the same file you had uploaded or is it a tweaked version?

the last i uploaded i did replace once.
But you also are sure that you was NOT starting gimp from gimp.exe ?

because what you described is exactly what would happen starting gimp from gimp.exe
this is a main point i post again the screenshot


I have no another 64 bit computer to try but if work here from any directory or drive,should work on any other PC i can't imagine what else may cause the problem .

I did exactly as you described. I started from the Gimp-2.8.0-RCI-1.exe link and it still wouldn't recognize anything outside of .xcf files.

ok it was just to be sure

Maybe it depends on the individual setting environment variables?
Microsoft documentation claims that the DLL search path (in sequence)is:

1.System's folder
2.The application start folder
3.The path.

Maybe Gimp-2.8.0-RCI-1.EXE does not indicate gimp.exe (in the bin folder)?

I have several working versions of GIMP (XP32bit) - but I am convinced that the GIMP 2.8RC1 also looks for files in other applications Gimp (probably because RC1 installation starts to uninstall other ...)

yes but i used Samj build http://samjcreations.blogspot.it/2012/0 ... -pour.html
She use a utility "Maringouin" to guarantee portability handle environmental variables and so on, and Gimp-2.8.0-RCI-1.EXE correspond Demarrer_Gimp.bat

i may see if reverting to the original solve but the problem is testing:
on my computers everything works ...and should not (not after i move the file on different drives) if were portability problem

Still Both Graechan and lacertile reported same problems...i would really need someone else testing

Since we didn't make yet a installer i may revert to the original Demarrer_Gimp.bat, maybe there is the problem
Well i will upload again in a few hours