If you cannot view RAW thumbnails or open high-end camera files in the Photos app, follow these steps to install the modern equivalent:
The original standalone was designed for Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. Microsoft discontinued its active development in 2014. For Windows 10 users , the situation is different:
While often immediate, a restart may be required to activate thumbnail previews in File Explorer. Supported RAW Formats
The legacy pack originally supported over from major brands, including: Canon: .CR2, .CRW Nikon: .NEF, .NRW Sony: .ARW, .SR2 Olympus: .ORF Pentax: .PEF Panasonic: .RW2
Search for "Store" in your Windows 10 search bar.
Locate the official app by Microsoft Corporation.
Many codecs from the original pack are now built directly into Windows 10.
Microsoft replaced the old codec pack with the Raw Image Extension available for free through the Microsoft Store. This extension provides broader, modern format support and receives ongoing updates. How to Get RAW Support on Windows 10 (Step-by-Step)