RAW File - opening and understanding
Did your computer fail to open a RAW file? We explain what they are used for and recommend software that we know can open or otherwise handle your .RAW files.
What is a RAW file?
Files that contain the .raw file extension contain 24-bit RGB graphics files. These image files are uncompressed files that contain raw image data.
RAW files are commonly created by digital cameras, allowing the user to edit the image once they transfer the file from the camera to their PC. The file that is migrated to the PC contains the image exactly as it was captured by the camera, without loss of quality and without compression.
The .raw file extension may also be given to RAW audio files. These files contain unprocessed audio files that can be modified and edited on a computer.
How to open RAW files
You will need a program compatible with the specific file you are trying to open, as different programs may use files with file extension RAW for different purposes. We have identified 1 RAW opener for Windows that is compatible with this specific type of RAW file.
Programs that open these files
 | ACDSee | Verified |
Suggest another file format using extension RAW
While we know of one file format using the .RAW file extension, there may be more. It is widespread that different programs use files with the same file extension for very different types of data. Please let us know if you are aware of a different kind of .RAW file.
Various viewers for this file format
These apps are known to open certain types of RAW files. Remember, different programs may use RAW files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.
 | Free File Viewer | User submitted |
 | WavePad Sound Editor | User submitted |
 | Pixillion Image Converter | User submitted |
 | WavePad Audio-Editor | User submitted |
 | Switch Sound File Converter | User submitted |
 | Adobe Photoshop | User submitted |
 | Winamp | User submitted |
 | Picasa Photo Viewer | User submitted |
 | IrfanView | User submitted |
 | MixPad | User submitted |
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