***(Recently FastPictureViewer has started charging for this codec pack. It is still reasonable at only $9.99 but if you still want the free version, you can download it from CNET.)
For installation instructions, follow the instructions below:
1) Go to http://www.fastpictureviewer.com/codecs/ and download the 64-bit edition of the WIC RAW Codec Pack.
2) Click on the Fast Picture Viewer WIC RAW Codec installer file that you downloaded to begin the installation.
3) At the first pop up window click "Next".
4) At the next screen, if you agree with the EULA than place a check mark next to "I accept..." and click next.
5) At the next screen you can choose to install codecs for all the available RAWs and DNG formats or just select the RAW types that you need and the Adobes DNG format. My recommendation is to just leave this as is, with all available RAW types and the Adobe DNG codec being installed. Once you have made your choice click "Next"
6) On the next screen click "Install". If a UAC prompt pops up just click "Yes"
7) After the installation has completed a new window will pop up. Just click "Finish"
8) A final window will appear asking you if you want to restart your computer. You can choose to restart now by selecting "Yes" or select "No" to restart later. Before you can view RAW and DNG thumbnails in Windows Explorer your system will have to be restarted.
9) After a system restart the installation is complete and you will now be able to view most RAW files and Adobe DNG thumbnails in Windows 7 Explorer.
What about for 32bit versions?
ReplyDeleteFastPictureViewer WIC RAW Codec Pack has a 32-bit version as well that works with most 32-bit versions of Windows here is the link...(please note that I have not tried it out)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fastpictureviewer.com/codecs/
Other options are listed below....
You can download the DNG codec for viewing thumbnails of DNG files for 32-bit Windows Vista (it will probably work with 32-bit Windows 7 as well though I haven't tried it) from Adobe at:
http://labs.adobe.com/wiki/index.php/DNG_Codec
For other camera RAW files you can go to Microsofts Pro Photo site where they have links to various codecs which will allow you to view your RAW thumbnails from a variety of camera manufacturers in Windows 32-bit OS's...here is the link:
http://www.microsoft.com/prophoto/downloads/codecs.aspx
Hope this helps.....
Thanks a ton for this - looks like exactly what I was looking for.
ReplyDelete-Kevin
Since Adobe only delivers a 32bit Windows thumbnail codec, and all the others for 64bit Windows charge you money, I developed a really free one:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.visualbakery.com/Tools/PhotoTools.aspx
No elegant setup program, but fast and free.