How to Recover Deleted NRW Files from Nikon| Guide

In this article, we explain why you should try the NRW file format, and guide you through the most important NRW software.

By @Zoey Last Updated December 11, 2024

What is the NRW file format

Modern Nikon cameras use the NEF file format to store RAW image data. Older Nikon cameras used the NRW file format for this. Saving RAW data instead of processed images allows for much finer adjustments later using image processing software such as Lightroom or Photoshop.

Because images are written to the memory card in uncompressed form, they provide much better tonal range than their compressed counterparts. The biggest disadvantage of using the NRW file format is its large file size. Fortunately, modern memory cards are large and relatively affordable, so this isn't as big of an issue as it used to be.

How to Recover Deleted NRW Image Files

SD cards are widely used in portable devices such as digital cameras due to their small size and large capacity. A Nikon camera does the same thing. Let's discuss the NRW file because it is a Nikon Raw Image file. This means that this format is only for Nikon cameras.

It's easy to see that complicated command lines can discourage non-professionals from using them. Are you looking for other more convenient photo recovery software with GUI (graphical user interface)? You may be more inclined to choose MyRecover and put it into practice after learning more about it.

There are even more features of MyRecover:

  • Recover deleted and lost files from SSD/HDD/USB/SD card and other storage devices.
  • Recover more than 200 types of data such as Word, Excel, PPT, photos, videos, audio, emails, web pages and compressed files.
  • Keep the original path, file name and format for the deleted files.
  • Automatically run Quick Scan and Deep Scan to detect all deleted files and other lost files from the selected partition/drive.
  • Apply to broader data loss scenarios: deletion, disk formatting, system crash, etc. For example, use it to recover formatted files from USB.
  • It supports NTFS, exFAT, FAT32 and ReFS in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7 and Windows Server.

If possible, stop using your computer or other storage devices after the deletion, as any written achievements may overwrite the free space where the deleted/lost files are stored. Try this powerful, easy-to-use software by downloading it to recover deleted pictures from Nikon camera.

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Step 1. Connect your SD card to computer and run MyRecover on computer. Hover the mouse over the SD card and then click Scan.

Step 2. You will see all deleted files and other lost files on SD card after running Quick Scan and Deep Scan automatically.

Step 3. Check the scan results and click the "Recover X Files" button. Then save these recovered image files to a new location.

How to open NRW files?

Another disadvantage of RAW images is the fact that you cannot open them with regular image viewers as easily as JPEG or GIF images. You often have to download and install a special codec or image viewer. Nikon offers the latest version of its NRW codec on its website. Nikon also sells its RAW editing software, Capture NX 2.

The software supports almost all recent Nikon cameras and its features include color control points, softproof color management, noise reduction, color enhancement, color balance, photo enhancement filters, unsharp mask, black and white conversion, smoothing and cropping tools, custom workspaces, image resolution adjustments and more .

If these features don't ring, no problem. Despite its complexity, Capture NX 2 is highly accessible thanks to extensive documentation and easily accessible online tutorials. If you own a Nikon camera, learning to use Capture NX 2 will help you create higher quality images and get the most out of your DSLR.

Of course, you can still export RAW image files with the NRW file extension to standard image file formats, such as JPEG, PNG, GIF or TIFF. For this you can use Capture NX 2 or one of the many online image converters. The former option allows you to fine-tune all settings, while the latter is more useful if you only want to send images to friends and family from a computer that doesn't have Capture NX 2 or other RAW image processing software installed.

Data loss prevention for Nikon camera SD card

An SD card is similar to a Micro SD card. Therefore, the following suggestions also apply to the Micro SD card to prevent data loss. If you are interested, you can learn more about data recovery from Micro SD card.

  • Store the card reader properly and keep it away from liquids and heat.
  • Connect the SD card and carefully remove it using a card reader.
  • Create and update backups using Windows feature or reliable backup software. In this case, why not try the best free software, AOMEI Backupper?

To sum up

This post may help you better understand NRW files. Are you working on recovering deleted NEF files? Choose the best solution for you after viewing this page. If you want to prevent data loss in the future, consider the best practices above.