Nikon Electronic Format, a RAW file format containing digital photos taken by a Nikon camera. This format has detailed images as captured by the camera’s sensors, no compression or loss of quality.

  • Using specialized software to open a NEF file will keep all the information stored inside.

  • Take a look at our picks below to find the best software that easily converts NEF to JPG Windows.

  • ViewNX2 is a great free option that also allows you to control hue, tone, and sharpness.

  • We’ve also selected Adobe Photoshop, Capture NX2, and other paid NEF file viewers for Windows.

  • Opens over 300 file types

  • Edit, save and convert files

  • Batch file conversion

open all the files in the same environment

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The NEF file format stores metadata of the images such as the model of the camera itself, settings, lens information, and other details.

The main advantage of writing images in NEF file format to the memory card as compared to the TIFF or JPEG format lies in the fact that no post-processing is permanent.

Stuff like the hue, tone, sharpness, or white balance is applied, but these are retained as instruction sets that come with the NEF file, and can be changed as many times as you want without affecting data.

Another advantage is that depending on the camera you’re using, the NEF file retains 12-bit or 14-bit data, which translates to an image with a greater tonal range than that of an 8-bit JPEG or TIFF file.

With Nikon’s Capture NX2 software or other imaging programs, the after-capture processing of NEF files gives you greater control over the final image than when JPEG or TIFF files are processed.

You can then save them as TIFF, JPEG , or as NEF again. Provided that the original NEF file is preserved, the digital negative remains untouched and processing doesn’t change the original instruction set.

It is exclusive to Nikon cameras, and sometimes it is referred to as digital negatives and is written to the camera’s memory card in either uncompressed or lossless compressed format.

How do I open NEF files in Windows 10?

1. Use Adobe Photoshop

There’s no way you can talk about opening or editing image files without the name Adobe Photoshop popping into your mind.

This raster-based image editor can also be used as a NEF file opener. More so, the toolset allows you to take the NEF file and then turn it into a more manageable format, such as JPG or BMP.

Besides, NEF files could always use a little bit of doctoring themselves, and that is something that Adobe Photoshop can easily handle as well.

Normally, this world-class program is subscription-based to use, but now you can test it for a full 7 days without any type of limitations.

Note: If Photoshop cannot open the files, make sure you install the latest Camera RAW plugin supported by your version of Photoshop and try opening them again.

Adobe Photoshop

Convert any type of file, including NEF easily, without losing data by using Adobe Photoshop

2. Use FileViewer Plus

FileViewer Plus is an extremely powerful software and is highly rated on the market. It will open over 300 file formats including all the most popular photo formats.

You will be able to open, convert and edit not only NEF files, but also RAW, 3FR, ARI, CR2,  CRW,  and many other popular formats directly in its interface.

The best thing so far about this tool is that it can be used not only on photo files. You can also open and edit video, image, and text formats without having to download other software.

⇒ Download FileViewer Plus now

3. GIMP

GIMP, or GNU Image Manipulation Program, is a free photo editing software for Windows, though it requires some extra skills or time to understand and use it.

Although it’s not as simple as most free photo editors, if you want to open NEF files, then GIMP is one of the best tools to use for this task.

⇒ Download GIMP

4. IrfanView

IrfanView is your best bet for opening NEF files. Some cool things you can do with this photo viewer include file searches, batch conversions for advanced image processing.

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The software also has Photoshop filter support, Paint options, blurring, and more, all packed into an easy to understand and interactive interface.

⇒ Get IrfanView

5. CaptureNX2

This is a full-featured, non-destructive photo editing software that gives you all the tools to quickly and easily edit your digital photos.

It has features such as color control, selection control, auto-retouch and shadow/highlight adjustment. You can enhance the hue, brightness and saturation of an image as well.

It works with RAW NEF files, but also JPEG and TIFF as well, and its interface has customized workspaces, toolbar function and layout.

In addition to that, the software also has edit list functionality, redesigned image browser with favorites folder and image resolution adjustments.

⇒ Get CaptureNX2

6. ViewNX2

This software also helps you open NEF files, and has a refined user interface with three different workspaces: Browser/GeoTag/Edit.

These can be smoothly switched using the tool button. You can also select background color based on image brightness.

It is free to download and install to browse, edit and share images and movies. It also has RAW processing functions and movie editing features equivalent to those in digital SLRs.

Images saved in the Nikon Image Space can be browsed as if saved on your own PC. Once you login, you need not input your ID and password again, plus you can use the drag/drop for easy uploading of images.

⇒ Download ViewNX2

How do I process NEF files in my camera?

Here are the steps you can take to process the NEF files in your Nikon DSLR camera prior to opening the file:

  • In the Retouch menu, find NEF in-camera processing feature.
  • This lets you process NEF RAW files into JPGs within the camera, and is useful for shooting RAW files or sharing a quick JPG
  • Adjust Picture Controls or change images from color options like Black & White (B&W) or Sepia, change white balance, exposure compensation and so much more.
  • Once you’re done with and satisfied with the adjustments, preview it by pushing the magnifying glass button on the back of the camera.
  • Select EXE when you’re ready to save the JPG file to your media or memory card.
  • The original NEF file will be saved on the memory or media card so you can revert to the original capture when opening the NEF file on your computer.

If you have the right codec on your PC, you can open or view NEF files without the need for more software. For Windows 10, you don’t need to install the Microsoft Camera Codec Pack.

  • This lets you process NEF RAW files into JPGs within the camera, and is useful for shooting RAW files or sharing a quick JPG

The codecs are built-in to the operating system, but should you want to add support for DNG formats, or others not supported, you would have to download a codec.

The Microsoft Camera Codec Pack enables viewing of a variety of device-specific file formats in Windows Live Photo Gallery and other software-based in Windows Imaging Codecs (WIC).

Installing it will allow supported RAW camera files to be opened or viewable in File Explorer and is available in 32-bit or 64-bit versions.

How do I convert a NEF file on Windows 10?

You can convert NEF files to different formats using a file converter or an image viewer/editor then save to a different format such as JPG, RAW, PNG, TIFF, PSD, GIF, and many others.

There are other online options that you can use to convert your NEF files to open in Windows 10 like Zamzar, Pics.io, and Online RAW converter that convert the NEF files to BMP, GIF, JPG, PDF, and TDG among others.

Are there other ways you use to open your NEF files in Windows 10? Share with us by leaving a comment in the section below.

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  • Adobe PhotoshopFile Exploreropen NEF files

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