How to see RAW thumbnails

Downloaded RAW shots from my Canon 40D, when the PC file is opened, it shows rectangular blocks, each labled MG ----CR2, and inside each block is CR2.
These are the 'viewed' thumbnails. Any way I can view them as thumbnail images, before opening into PS CS3 or Lightroom?
As is, I have to open the program to see what I have. On some occasions I'd rather shoot in RAW , not RAW+ jpg.
XP Pro OS

Thanks for any help

Install this.... http://www.usa.canon.c​om …egoryid=183&mod​elid=15206

This will allow windows to show CR2's natively.

I import my RAW images to lightroom, and then I can view the images there.

That is what he is trying to avoid...opening a program just to view the images.

In the beginning, I just shot JPEG as well as RAW to see the images. So, I continue to do that.

Alternatively use the software Canon provided with the camera. I upload using Eos Utilities and it automatically opens Zoombrowser which displays the thumbnails. Then to convert the CR2 data files into something that Photoshop and other post processing programmes understand I use DPP. All of these programmes have been designed by Canon to do just what you ask.

Mark1 wrote in post #9233874
Install this....

...This will allow windows to show CR2's natively.

Evidently it doesn't because it requires the additional installation of yet another viewing application like Windows Live Photo Gallery. Who can explain to me the point of this when you already have DPP and/or Bridge and/or LR to view your CR2 Raw files?

The Canon Raw Codec mentioned by Mark does let you see Raw thumbnails in XP Explorer, so that from the explorer you can right-click on a file and Open With/Photoshop CS3 if you wish without having to go through Bridge, DPP or Lightroom. Camera Raw will open with the CR2 file.

FastPictureViewer WIC Raw Codec Pack enables you to view thumbnails of your CR2 files in Windows Explorer; or you can also view larger previews in Windows Photo Viewer. It can be downloaded here: http://www.fastpicture​viewer.com/codecs/

I've tried several Raw codecs and this is by far the best; its especially useful if you have Raw files from different camera manufacturers since you can preview any Raw file without installing brand-specific codecs.

trailguy wrote in post #9233433
Downloaded RAW shots from my Canon 40D, when the PC file is opened, it shows rectangular blocks, each labled MG ----CR2, and inside each block is CR2.
These are the 'viewed' thumbnails. Any way I can view them as thumbnail images, before opening into PS CS3 or Lightroom?
As is, I have to open the program to see what I have. On some occasions I'd rather shoot in RAW , not RAW+ jpg.
XP Pro OS

Thanks for any help

All I can say is it works for me. I can see the file thumbnails in explorer and open them in Picture gallery.

I suggest you use Bridge or image viewer software. It only takes a few seconds to start. If you use windows to browse folders it's going to read all the raw files in the directory, potentially many GB of data, unless it's smart enough to cache thumbnails or extract jpeg files. Plus if you've modified the raw files windows will show the original, not the processed file.

Thanks, it works! Downloaded FastPictureViewer---Codec, and can now see the entire RAW set in a gallery. I'll buy you a beer & sandwich.

I've never been able to get the Canon codecs to display thumbnails, including this latest one.

But FastPictureViewer works just fine. Thanks for the tip.

-js