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How to Open RAW Files

Most RAW files are created by digital cameras and have the .RW2, .DNG, .CR2, and .NEF file extensions. This wikiHow will show you how to open camera-created RAW files on a computer, phone, or tablet. If you're trying to view a RAW file on...

Method 1 of 3:

Using Windows 10 and macOS

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    Images 1 of How to Open RAW Files
    Open File Explorer
    images 2 of How to Open RAW Files
    Images 2 of How to Open RAW Files
    or Finder
    images 3 of How to Open RAW Files
    Images 3 of How to Open RAW Files
    . You can find these in either the Start menu or Dock.
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    Images 4 of How to Open RAW Files
    Navigate to the folder where the RAW file is saved. RAW files usually end with .RW2, .DNG, .CR2, or .NEF.
  3. images 5 of How to Open RAW Files
    Images 5 of How to Open RAW Files
    Double-click the file to open it in your default photo viewer. If you have a specific application in mind, you can right-click the file instead, select Open With, and then choose the right app.
    1. You can click Edit or Tools in most apps to access editing tools.
Method 2 of 3:

Using Windows 8.1 and Earlier

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    Images 6 of How to Open RAW Files
    Go to https://www.microsoft.com in a web browser. If you're using an older version of Windows, you'll need to download some extra software to open RAW files on your computer.
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    Images 7 of How to Open RAW Files
    Click the magnifying glass and search for 'Camera Codec Pack." The magnifying glass is near the top-right corner of the page.
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    Images 8 of How to Open RAW Files
    Click the first option in the search results. It'll be called Download Microsoft Camera Codec Pack with a version number.
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    Images 9 of How to Open RAW Files
    Click the red Download button. A new page will open for you to pick a version to download.
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    Images 10 of How to Open RAW Files
    Click either the .x64 or .x86 file. If your computer is running the 64-bit version of Windows, you'll want to pick the .x64 download.
    1. To check this, you can open your Settings, click About, and read under the 'Device specifications' header.
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    Images 11 of How to Open RAW Files
    Click Next. You'll see this in the lower right corner of the web page. Your file browser will open and you can change the download location and name.
    1. Choose Save instead of Run when the initial download completes.
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    Images 12 of How to Open RAW Files
    Double-click the downloaded codec pack file. You'll usually find this in your 'Downloads' folder. The codec pack file will install without requiring further input from you.
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    Images 13 of How to Open RAW Files
    Navigate to and double-click on your RAW image file. After the camera codec pack is downloaded and installed, RAW camera files will open in Photo Viewer.[1]
Method 3 of 3:

Using Snapseed Mobile

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    Images 14 of How to Open RAW Files
    Download and install Snapseed. You can get Snapseed free from the Google Play Store
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    Images 15 of How to Open RAW Files
    or App store
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    Images 16 of How to Open RAW Files
    . Snapseed makes it easy to open and edit most types of RAW files on your iPhone, iPad, or Android.
    1. The app developer is Google LLC.
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    Images 17 of How to Open RAW Files
    Open Snapseed. This app icon looks like a multi-shaded green leaf. You can find this on either the home screen, in the app drawer, or by searching.
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    Images 18 of How to Open RAW Files
    Tap anywhere on the screen to open a picture. A file browser will open.
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    Images 19 of How to Open RAW Files
    Navigate to and tap your RAW file. The RAW picture file should open in Snapseed for you to edit.
    1. You can find tools to edit your image along the bottom of your screen, including Tools, Looks, and Export.
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