Previewing CR3 files in Windows' File Explorer

Let's assume you have a recent Canon mirrorless camera and have decided to shoot raw. You put your memory card into the card reader, and copy the files to your Windows computer. Your photos are in a format called CR3, and you can't see what's what. You have to open them in Lightroom, clunky Canon-specific software, or some other tool before you can even see a thumbnail of your images to know which ones you want to work on. Maybe you don't even have access to a tool like Lightroom. This is a pretty horrible workflow.

Is there an easier way? Yes! Open the Microsoft Store and install the Raw Image Extension utility. This isn't a separate app, but rather an extension to Windows itself that allows File Explorer, Photos, and various other Windows applications to open and edit multiple raw image formats, including the ability to see thumbnails for CR3 files.

The list of supported cameras is at LibRaw 0.20 supported cameras, but the documentation is a bit out of date as of the writing of htis post. In my case, I have a Canon EOS RP, and per the update at LibRaw 201910 snapshot, CR3 format is now supported. This is SO CONVENIENT!