Raw Image Extension

Raw Image Extension is a digital photo addon for Windows 10/11 that allows all of its users to enhance the functionality of the Photos app and Windows File Explorer, allowing them both to fully recognize and reproduce digital camera photos that are saved in the full uncompressed RAW format. Extends Windows 11/10 to decode and extract EXIF metadata from Raw image file formats.

This format has become a standard for all serious photographers who want to retain all image data, and allow advanced photo editing programs to tweak them and get them ready for printing, deployment in projects, online embedding, or saving into the local library of photos. By having this app installed on Windows 10 or Windows 11, all of the RAW photo files available in local memory or accessible via portable storage or network drives will become instantly available for viewing in a single click.

It is important to note that Raw Image Extension is not a standalone app. This is a system-level addon (codec plugin) that will enable several basic Windows 10 apps and services to become fully aware of the RAW image format and enable them to be reproduced. This means that Windows File Explorer will show thumbnails for RAW image files just like it does for all other common compressed formats such as JPEG, BMP, PNG, and others, and double click on RAW image file will fire up the Photos app that will be fully ready to load and showcase it.

While the Raw Image Extension app brings support for almost any RAW photo file recorded with modern digital cameras, some specific RAW file types will not be supported. Some of such unsupported Raw formats are GPR and CR3.

The app plugin requires the latest version of Windows 10 OS or Windows 11 in order to function. Users are required to use this addon on PCs that are running at least Windows 10 May 2019 Update (version number 1903), or a newer version of Windows 10.

To get Raw Image Extension up and running, users simply have to visit its official Windows Store page and click on the large “Get” button. The entire plug-in weighs in at just above 2MB, so download and installation will be quick on any PC and internet connection. To make the installation process as stable as possible, the addon will automatically scan local Windows 10 OS and will finish the installation procedure only if it detects that an up-to-date compatible version is present.

Raw Image Extension is 100% FREE and represents one of the best ways to fully integrate RAW photo files into the core of the Windows 10/Windows 11 platform.