topic Re: Need .cr3 codec for new computer to use with Windows Explorer in Camera Software

Need .cr3 codec for new computer to use with Windows Explorer

favpixs — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 18:53:24 GMT

Have 90D and windows 11, built new computer but .cr3 photos will not display.

downloaded dpp4 and windows explorer will not display .cr3 photos.

Is there a .cr3 codec available for simple install and use?

Re: Need .cr3 codec for new computer to use with Windows Explorer

FloridaDrafter — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 20:58:37 GMT

A while back, when I first started using CR3, I downloaded and paid for the FastPictureViewer Codec Pac. This worked and allowed me to view CR3's in the Windows Explorer preview pane and also shows a CR3 thumbnail. I've since upgraded my laptop to Windows 11 and it still works. Their web page doesn't mention 11, but I think you get a trial period so you can at least see if it installs on Windows 11. Another thing about this app that I really like is it's extended EXIF data when you click "Details" in the View menu structure. The app integrates seamlessly into File Explorer and other than doing its job, you don't even know it's there.

** As a side note: I really dislike the new File Explorer in 11. So, I type "Control Panel" in the search bar, then in the search bar at the top of Control Panel, I type "home". This opens the classic File Explorer. I just keep that open in my tray.

Newton

Re: Need .cr3 codec for new computer to use with Windows Explorer

shadowsports — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 23:56:12 GMT

Greetings,

Microsoft offers a free RAW image extension for cr3 files.

https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9nctdw2w1bh8?hl=en-US&gl=US

Support for CR3 files is listed. Haven't tried or tested.

Re: Need .cr3 codec for new computer to use with Windows Explorer

skiebus — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 09:30:49 GMT

The workaround I found (in Windows 10, anyway) was to open them with the Windows "Photos" app, then once you have viewed them, the thumbnails will be there. I would open the filmstrip on the bottom and scroll through until they all displayed in the filmstrip. Recently, after a Windows update, the Photos app stopped being able to display .CR3's...
The solution now was to get the Windows "Photos Legacy" app, and do the same, except there is no filmstrip view in it, so you just open all your CR3's in it and then wait a short bit, then refresh your explorer window and see how many thumbnails are there, then open the rest and do it again.
And if you do a Disk Cleanup, be sure to uncheck "Thumbnails", or you'll lose them all.

Re: Need .cr3 codec for new computer to use with Windows Explorer

shadowsports — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 14:00:22 GMT

Greetings,

.CR3 files (thumbnail preview) are supported natively in Windows Explorer in Windows 11. Nothing special is needed.

Re: Need .cr3 codec for new computer to use with Windows Explorer

skiebus — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 17:04:55 GMT

I wonder why the original poster's Windows 11 doesn't do this then. I struggled trying to solve this for some time on Windows 10 and finally decided to post my reply somewhere since this post came up somewhat prominently in a Google search. And that Microsoft RAW extension that everyone posts everywhere never has worked on Windows 10 (for me and lots of others, anyway) for .CR3's. I also had used FastPictureViewer previously on Windows 7 (maybe it was Windows 8, actually) and it worked there when .CR2's still didn't work natively, but it didn't work for .CR3's on Windows 10. Good to know, though, thank you!

Re: Need .cr3 codec for new computer to use with Windows Explorer

Waddizzle — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 23:07:34 GMT

“ I wonder why the original poster's Windows 11 doesn't do this then. “

I was getting the impression that the OP was using a home brewed platform. Those systems frequently seem to have some features of Windows missing.

Re: Need .cr3 codec for new computer to use with Windows Explorer

evantdavies — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 05:34:10 GMT

Which version of Win11?

Re: Need .cr3 codec for new computer to use with Windows Explorer

evantdavies — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 06:27:53 GMT

Never mind - I found the codec extension on the Microsoft store
I had issues with the store which needed to be reinstalled after I removed it with other bloat

Re: Need .cr3 codec for new computer to use with Windows Explorer

evantdavies — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 03:24:41 GMT

Microsoft raw image extender

from the Microsoft store

Re: Need .cr3 codec for new computer to use with Windows Explorer

Jazzman5 — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 18:55:58 GMT

Hi Newton,

I am confused about your comments on the CR3 files. I downloaded the FastPictureViewer Codec Pac, yet it did not allow me to see any CR3 files thumbnails. On their Website, it only mentions CR2 files and not CR3. Also, the latest Codec Pac is dated in 2017, before the CR3 files came on the scene in 2018.

James*

Re: Need .cr3 codec for new computer to use with Windows Explorer

FloridaDrafter — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 19:51:23 GMT

@Jazzman5 wrote:

Hi Newton,

I am confused about your comments on the CR3 files. I downloaded the FastPictureViewer Codec Pac, yet it did not allow me to see any CR3 files thumbnails. On their Website, it only mentions CR2 files and not CR3. Also, the latest Codec Pac is dated in 2017, before the CR3 files came on the scene in 2018.

James*

Hello, James!

I'm confused as well on my end of things. All I can say is I have never downloaded/installed Microsoft's RAW add-on for my 11. I upgraded to Windows 11 from 10, so it wasn't a fresh install of 11 and File Explorer kept the same viewing behavior for CR3 files after the upgrade. I installed FPV Codec Pac in Win 10 because Explorer wouldn't view some of the Canon Raw files that I have (we use many cameras). Some CR3's it would, some not.

I did download/install the MS RAW codec from them for my wife's Windows 11 Home version system (I have "11 Pro"), and File Explorer would not read her R6 or R6II CR3's. However, it did after I installed the FPV Codec Pac.

So yes, I am confused as well.

Here are some screen shots that I just snapped, one of the "Preview Pane" and one of the "Detail Pane" in Windows Explorer. I know they don't help, but do confirm FPV works, at least for me. Just to note, these shots are of File Explorer Classic, it works the same in the Windows 11 version.

Newton