Expression Media stops responding when you try to import compressed Nikon NEF files

When you try to import compressed Nikon RAW files that are called Nikon Electronic Format (NEF) files, or when you try to perform any action after the import operation is complete, Microsoft Expression Media for Windows stops responding.

Note NEF files are primarily created on Nikon D300 cameras.

This issue occurs because the NEF compressed file format is new. The Nikon Import Library has not been updated to work with the new NEF file format.

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: To work around this issue, follow these steps:

1. Set a registry entry that forces Expression Media to use Windows Imaging Component to import files. To do this, follow these steps:
   1. Open Registry Editor. To do this, use the appropriate method for your operating system:
      • In Windows Vista, click Start
        , type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
      • In Windows XP, click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then press ENTER.
   2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Expression\Media\1.0
   3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click String Value.
   4. Type WICExclude, and then press ENTER.
   5. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
   6. In the Value data box, type MRW,RAF,MOS,STI,EXIF,DCR,X3F, and then click OK.
   7. Exit Registry Editor.
2. Install the Nikon RAW codec. To do this, visit the following Web site:
   http://www.nikonimglib.com/nefcodec/

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

Note This workaround may cause Expression Media to read information from some files differently. Therefore, some information, such as color profile, may be unavailable. To restore this information, add the corresponding file type to the WICExclude registry entry as described in the Workaround section.

The following file types can be added to the WICExclude registry entry:

• CRW
• DNG
• RAF
• EXIF
• JPE
• JPG
• JFIF
• JPEG
• DCR
• MOS
• MRW
• ORF
• PEF
• X3F
• STI
• TIF
• TIFF
• BMP
• DIB
• RLE
• CR2
• PNG
• GIF
• SR2
• SRF

This problem also occurs in Expression Media for Macintosh. However, there is no workaround for Expression Media for Macintosh.

The information and the solution in this document represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation on these issues as of the date of publication. This solution is available through Microsoft or through a third-party provider. Microsoft does not specifically recommend any third-party provider or third-party solution that this article might describe. There might also be other third-party providers or third-party solutions that this article does not describe. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, this information should not be interpreted to be a commitment by Microsoft. Microsoft cannot guarantee or endorse the accuracy of any information or of any solution that is presented by Microsoft or by any mentioned third-party provider.

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