Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about Free Photo Viewer. For general site FAQ, see also FAQ on the main site.

  • RAW files from my camera are not displayed

    We use msdcraw.dll for rendering RAW files. The developers add RAW support for new camera models and update the library frequently. When we release program updates, we bundle an updated DLL as well.

    Most likely, the next release will support your camera. Watch Release Notes for updates. In the meantime, try disabling Convert RAW files for viewing in Settings to use the embedded JPEG preview. See RAW Files for more.

  • Photos load very slowly on my laptop or netbook

    Modern DSLR JPEGs can take ten or more seconds to render on slow CPUs. Open Settings → View and set JPEG Performance and RAW Performance to Render 1/4 or 1/2. Consider disabling RAW conversion to use faster embedded previews.

  • Is Free Photo Viewer really free?

    Yes - 100% freeware. No registration, no ads, no trial period. See our Privacy Policy.

  • Can I search photos by EXIF tags?

    Not in the free viewer. The Search by EXIF menu item is disabled in Free Photo Viewer. For metadata search across folders, use our EXIF Search application.

  • How do I export EXIF and IPTC data?

    Select an image and choose File → Save EXIF and IPTC tags…. Save as text or HTML. Details in EXIF & IPTC.

Still need help? Visit Support or send us a message.

See also