Get Windows Explorer to display the thumbnails of your DNG files

Since DNG is based on the TIFF/EP format, it is possible to get the windows explorer to display the embedded thumbnails of all your DNG files, if you do the correct changes in the Registry.

Shaun Ivory, a Microsoft Software Design Engineer explained the procedure for Nikon .nef files in this post at RobGalbraith's forum. Thomas Knoll, the man behind Photoshop, Camera Raw and the DNG format added that you can do the very same procedure with the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.dng entry of your Registry to get thumbnail support right in Explorer!

Remember to ALWAYS back up your registry before changing any value, and that you do it at your own risk... Please also read carefully Shaun's disclaimer.

Comments

[Maxwell]

I couldn't agree more. The importance of looking after your registry can't be stressed highly enough. Whatever you do though, don't attempt to do it yourself, or you can almost guarantee disaster.

[RegistryFixReports]

Backing up the regsitry before altering your file associations? Good. And thank God for XP's system restore points, else GIMP would have been the end of my PC. Even with 9 year IT expereince, I use regsitry tools: it's just easier (and faster).

[RegistryFixReports]

Thanks for the tip on .nef files. I've struggled with this for my own Nikon D50 as .nef are soooo much better than even high qaulity JEPGs. I wouldn't do anything without a registry backup though, and even a system restore point since I'm running XP. And regsitry tools are the fastest, best way I've found to do that.

[Casey]

Cool post... I find it pretty amazing that Windows requires such a manual process to view DNG files as thumbnails.

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Very useful information.Thanks a lot guys!

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