I highly suggest you create folders for your images. I have folders such as fabric, fabric samples, store misc, neck coolers etc etc. I upload to no folder (although you could make a folder jus for uploading) and after I create a few listings, I'll go to the image section and move the photos I've used to the proper folder. The only pics I have in the default folder are ones that I haven't created a listing for.
Then when you go to create a listing, there is a pull down menu, you can choose to see just the pics in the folder you select, in my case I choose the NO Folder option and it brings up just the pics I need.
The hide all active pic is glitchy, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't when it works it will however show pics that aren't in a active listing, it will still show pics that are un-active but have a created listing for.
Okay hope that all made sense, I'm not very good at explaining what I'm trying to say sometimes, lol.