Five Steps to Open CRW Files

If you have CRW files that you need to open, but you’re not sure how, follow these steps.


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Step 1: Double-click the file.

Locate the CRW file icon and double-click it. If you have the right program installed, it should open the file automatically. If it doesn’t, move on to Step 2.

Step 2: Look for another program.

If the CRW file doesn’t open when you double-click it, you probably don’t have the right program on your computer. There are several popular programs that can be used to open a CRW file. Try one of the three most common programs: Canon Digital Camera Raw Image Format, Crossword Genius, or Cadrail Train Terrain Layout.

Step 3: Check the file type.

If none of the above programs will open your CRW file, check the file type to make sure you have a program that can open that type of file. Most CRW files are Raster Image Files, but there’s a chance it might be another type.

You can find this information in the file’s properties. On a Windows computer, just right-click the file and click properties, and look for the file type under “Type of File.” On a Mac computer, right-click the file and click “More info,” and look for the file type under “Kind.”

Step 4: Get help from a developer.

If you can’t figure out how to open a CRW file, a developer can probably tell you how. Find the program you have in the table below and contact the developer of that program.

Program Name Developer Name
Canon Digital Camera Raw Image Format Canon Inc.
Crossword Genius Microsoft Developer
Cadrail Train Terrain Layout Sandia Software
CHARTrunner Workspace Definition PQ Systems

Step 5: Find a universal file viewer.

The easiest way to open a CRW file, or any kind of file, is to use a universal file viewer like File Magic (Download). You can use it to open many different file formats. If it’s not compatible, the file will just open in binary.

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