How to Recover CR3 Files on Windows | Canon CR3 RAW Recovery

Overview of CR3 Files

CR3 is Canon’s RAW image file format, introduced with newer Canon EOS cameras. Compared to JPEG or PNG, CR3 files preserve much more detail and dynamic range, making them ideal for post-processing. However, these files are also large and sometimes harder to manage. Since CR3 files are not as universally supported as JPEG, losing them or encountering corruption can be common scenarios.

Common Reasons Why CR3 Files Go Missing

CR3 files may go missing for a variety of reasons, ranging from accidental deletion to technical failures. Understanding the cause of data loss is the first step toward choosing the right recovery method.

🔔Accidental Deletion

One of the most common reasons is human error. Users may accidentally delete pictures from the camera, memory card, or computer while cleaning up storage.

📌Formatting the Memory Card

If you format an SD card, CFexpress card, or external drive, all CR3 RAW files stored on it will be erased. This often happens when the camera shows a "card error" message and the user chooses to format it.

📁File System Corruption

A corrupted file system on the memory card or hard drive can make CR3 files inaccessible or lost. Causes include sudden card removal, power failures, or malware infections.

💾Camera or SD Card Errors

Faulty memory cards, bad sectors, or connectivity issues can result in missing files. In some cases, camera firmware glitches may prevent CR3 photos from being saved properly.

🛠️Interrupted File Transfer

If the file transfer between the camera and computer is interrupted due to unplugging the cable or sudden shutdown, CR3 files may become lost or corrupted.

How to Recover CR3 Files on Windows

If you accidentally deleted your CR3 photos or lost them due to formatting, don’t panic. There are several ways to attempt CR3 file recovery on Windows.

Check for Backups

If you’re lucky enough to have backed up CR3 photos in advance using cloud backup tools or external hard drive, the first step in CR3 files recovery is always checking your backups. You may be able to restore files from the backups.

Check on your computer

Many photographers are in the habit of transferring photos to their computers for easier management and editing. Check if you have transferred and saved them to your computer drive. If so, simply copy and paste them from the backup to a secure folder.

Check cloud backup tools

If you’ve used a cloud backup tool to sync your local CR3 photos to the cloud, you can restore them directly from the cloud. Even if the files have been deleted, they will be kept in the cloud Recycle bin for at least 30 days. So act quickly.

Recover Lost CR3 Files with MyRecover

For situations where backups don’t exist or files were permanently deleted due to formatting, MyRecover is a powerful solution. It is an photo recovery software designed to recover RAW photos, including Canon’s CR3 format. It can help you recover files from formatted SD cards, corrupted drives, or even unbootable systems. In addition, it supports the recovery of various file formats such as documents (docx, pptx, xlsx, etc.), videos (mp4, mov, mkv, webm, etc.), audios (mp3, wav, cda, etc.), compressed files (zip, rar, bza, etc.), webpages and more.

 MyRecover

Easy & Powerful Data Recovery Software

• Intuitive interface requiring no technical expertise.
• Faster scanning compared to command-line tools.
• Higher success rate for permanently deleted files.
• Compatible with all Windows operating systems.
• Work on HDD, SSD, USB flash drive, memory card, etc.

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Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 & Server

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Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on your computer from Microsoft Store or official website. Connect the Canon memory card to your computer with a card reader.

Step 2. Launch it and select the memory card to scan, then click "Scan".

Step 3. Select the "Path" tab in the left pane, you can see all deleted files. Locate the files you want to recover from the recoverable lists and click "Recover".

Step 4. Choose a safe location to save the recovered files.

Once the process is finished, the message "Files have been recovered successfully" will pop up. You can check the recovered files by clicking on the destination folder path or "Browse" button.

Tips to Prevent Future CR3 File Loss on Canon Camera

Losing CR3 files can be devastating, especially when they capture important moments. While data recovery tools are helpful, prevention is always better than cure. Here are some essential practices to keep your CR3 files safe:

☀️Regular Backups

Always copy your CR3 files to multiple storage devices, such as an external hard drive, NAS, or cloud storage.

☀️Double-check

When deleting photos from your camera or formatting the camera's memory card, please confirm carefully before proceeding.

☀️Use High-Quality Memory Cards

Invest in reliable, branded SD or CFexpress cards to reduce the risk of corruption.

☀️Format the Card in the Camera

Instead of deleting files on your computer, format the card inside the Canon camera to maintain a stable file structure.

☀️Update Camera Firmware

Ensure your Canon camera runs the latest firmware to avoid compatibility issues with storage devices.

FAQs:

How to view CR3 files in Windows 10?

You need RAW image extensions. Install Microsoft’s Raw Image Extension from the Microsoft Store or use Canon’s DPP software.

How to recover pictures from a Canon camera?

Connect your camera or SD card to the PC, and use professional data recovery software like MyRecover or command-line tool Windows File Recovery to recover photos from Canon camera.

How to get images off a Canon camera?

You can either connect via USB cable and use File Explorer to access images, or remove the SD card and insert it into your computer for transfer.

Conclusion

CR3 files are essential for Canon photographers who want high-quality images, but they can be lost or corrupted due to accidental deletion, formatting, or device errors. You can start recovery by checking backups or using professional data recovery tool MyRecover.

For more advanced file recovery, the Professional version of MyRecover provides a reliable and efficient solution. It supports unlimited data recovery, file preview, and even restores files from unbootable systems. With MyRecover, you can safely recover your Canon RAW photos and ensure your valuable images are never truly lost.