# How would I batch-convert dozens of RAW images to another format? (Windows) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 12, 2010, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-i-batch-convert-dozens-of-raw-images-to-another-format-windows/560451 "2010-11-12T17:04:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-i-batch-convert-dozens-of-raw-images-to-another-format-windows/560451/1 "2010-11-12T17:04:23Z")
I have a huge pile of CR2 images (Canon format that I believe are RAW images). I want to convert those images into another format such as JPG or GIF or PNG (any will do I think). It will take forever to open each one at a time and save in a new format. I was wondering if anyone knows of a program that will just convert everything in a folder for me? Preferably a free (legally free) program. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-i-batch-convert-dozens-of-raw-images-to-another-format-windows/560451/2 "2010-11-12T17:10:13Z")
IrfanView ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-i-batch-convert-dozens-of-raw-images-to-another-format-windows/560451/3 "2010-11-12T17:32:20Z")
Thanks! Need to download some plugins and stuff for it to read CR2 images but it seems it will do the trick. Dopers rock! ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-i-batch-convert-dozens-of-raw-images-to-another-format-windows/560451/4 "2010-11-12T18:05:55Z")
If they’re Canon files, don’t you have the Digital Photo Professional software that came with the camera? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-i-batch-convert-dozens-of-raw-images-to-another-format-windows/560451/5 "2010-11-12T18:12:12Z")
> [@postcards](#): > > If they’re Canon files, don’t you have the Digital Photo Professional software that came with the camera? My bosses camera. Naturally the boss does not give you the tools you need to do your job. They just expect it to be done. 🙂 BTW to batch convert worked great once I updated irfanview with some plugins to read the CR2 files. Thanks again! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-i-batch-convert-dozens-of-raw-images-to-another-format-windows/560451/6 "2010-11-12T18:17:47Z")
Be aware that if you do a batch convert raw files to JPEGs without processing the files itself in any way, you may not (well, almost certainly will not) be getting the optimum image. So, if you see some files that look a little overexposed or with the wrong color balance, check back in the raw file and fix it there and reconvert to JPG. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2010, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-i-batch-convert-dozens-of-raw-images-to-another-format-windows/560451/7 "2010-11-15T11:31:15Z")
Of those three formats, I suggest you convert to PNG. GIF is 8 bit colour only; don’t do that. JPG is lossy, so don’t do that. PNG is 24-bit colour and lossless and compressed, so that’s okay ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2010, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-i-batch-convert-dozens-of-raw-images-to-another-format-windows/560451/8 "2010-11-15T13:01:46Z")
ImageMagick will do it for you if you don’t mind using the command line. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2010, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-i-batch-convert-dozens-of-raw-images-to-another-format-windows/560451/9 "2010-11-15T14:53:39Z")
Irfanview is a fast and versatile program. You can select parameters for the quality of output depending on file type.