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Why Explorer does not show CR3
Canon introduced a new RAW format with the EOS R models. It sits in a different container and uses a different image codec than the older CR2. Windows ships no decoder for it. Microsoft offers a RAW extension, but it has to be installed separately, does not cover every camera model, and only reads a file once you have already opened the folder. That is exactly the moment you end up staring at grey tiles.
What the preloader does differently
Instead of waiting for you to open a folder, the preloader prepares the previews beforehand, in the background. It reads the embedded preview from the CR3 file, turns it into an Explorer-quality image and puts it in place. By the time you open the folder, everything is there.
- No Store extension needed, the decoder is part of the app.
- Works for freshly copied cards and for your old archive alike.
- Covers external drives, where most photographers keep their shoots.
What comes with it
Nobody has only CR3 files on disk. Video from the same card, exported JPEGs, Photoshop files from editing: all of it runs through the same process and is included in every plan, including the free one.
Frequently asked questions
Do I also need the Microsoft Raw Image Extension?
No. The preloader brings its own decoder and does not depend on it.
Does it work with CR2 and CRW as well?
Yes, the older Canon formats are included, as are the RAW formats of the other manufacturers.
Does the preloader modify my RAW files?
No. Access is strictly read-only, your originals stay untouched.