Change File Explorer RAW images from FRV icons to image thumbnails?

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Submitted by flycaster on Fri, 02/26/2021 - 11:31
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General discussion

Windows 10. Why is it that when I load RAW images onto my computer, the thumbnails appear in File Explorer as FRV icons and not as images?  Of course, I would prefer the thumbnails to be picture images and not just FRV icons.  Thanks.

lexa

Sat, 02/27/2021 - 00:36

In short: FastRawViewer is the only application registered as 'i know how to handle this type of file'

Longer answer (and possible solution):

  • FastRawViewer installs itself into 'Open With' menu via windows registry for known file types (RAWs, JPEG, PNG, TIFF)
  • This is 'softest possible' way to let Windows know  that FRV is able to handle these file types (extensions)
    • If some other default handler (application) for given type already present, than FRV will appear only in Open With right-click menu in Explorer
    • If FRV is the only application registered for this file type, than it becomes default application to open this file type(this is internal logic in Windows Explorer)
    • If some default application for file type exists AND no thumbnail generator for this type is registered in Explorer, than Explorer will display default application icon without trying to extract thumbnail from file
    • Solution: use some 'preview/thumbnail' generator for your files, for example
    • Also, you may dis-associate your RAWs from FastRawViewer using standard windows tools. In that case
      • FastRawViewer will not start on double click on raw file
      • But standard Windows Explorer behaviour will return

--

Alex Tutubalin/FastRawViewer team

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flycaster

Fri, 04/09/2021 - 10:17

Sorry for not getting back sooner, but never got notification about your reply.
Although you have given a nice explanation of why I'm having this "issue," I have the feeling (not sure, though) that this issue arose when I first loaded FRV and in its setup, I chose to have it open RAW files.  I naively think that if I could undo this selection (perhaps somewhere within FRV,) problem solved??? 
However, let me ask if I do this:
"Also, you may dis-associate your RAWs from FastRawViewer using standard windows tools. In that case

  • FastRawViewer will not start on double click on raw file

But standard Windows Explorer behaviour will return"
1. How do I dis-associate? Sorry, just don't know how to do this in Windows.
2. Once dis-associating, how do I get a RAW file to open in FRV?
Thanks for your help.

flycaster's picture

flycaster

Sat, 04/10/2021 - 15:45

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/raw-image-extension/9nctdw2w1bh8 is the answer. Dl'd  and installed, but FEV icons still present in File Explorer. Simply, rebooted and now have image thumbnails instead of program icons. thanks.

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