Known Participant

Question

Camera Raw installation

Forum|Forum|3 months ago
October 14, 2025
2 replies
1007 views

I tried to open a raw file with my new elements 2026 software. It said I needed to download and install the Photoshop Elements 2026 Add on Utilities. I searched for that on the Adobe site and didn't get any sensible results. I later found an article with a link to download and install the raw plug in v 17.5 so I tried that. It downloaded a file cameraraw_17-5-1.dmg. When I clicked that it installed something, somewhere but the main software still doesn't open raw files. Now they are not greyed out on the menu and I get a preview on my mac but it then gives me a message saying I need to download the raw plug in. What am I doing wrong

Download and install

R

ren�_8062

New Participant

I have the same problem with Windows 11 and Elements 2025. I have already downloaded and installed the RAW plug-in 17.5 twice. Every time I want to open a Raw file, I get a message saying that I need to install the raw plug-in via the Help menu. I cannot find the RAW plug-in under filters either. Unfortunately, I am not very familiar with automation, but I believe that a programme should also be user-friendly for those who are less tech-savvy. I wanted to purchase an update to 2026, but now I am having serious doubts. Perhaps Elements is not the right choice for me after all.

Glenn 8675309

Brainiac

Do this, note the location, which is important.

If you haven't been able to update the Camera Raw plug-in for Elements, follow these steps, Primarily because your new camera needs a newer version of ACR to support RAW files:

Download and install the latest Camera Raw version from https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/kb/camera-raw-plug-in-installer.html

Quit all Adobe applications.

On macOS, double-click the .dmg file to mount it.

On Windows double-click the downloaded .zip file to unzip it.
(Windows might unzip the file for you.)

On macOS, double-click the .pkg file to start the installer.

On Windows, double-click the resulting .exe file to start the installer.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

Once installed successfully, close the installer window.

Navigate to the following folder:

On macOS: /Library/Application Support/Adobe/Plug-ins/CC/File Formats

On Windows: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Plug-Ins\CC\File Formats

Copy the Camera Raw plug-in (just the .8bi file) from the CC > File Formats folder that is mentioned in the above step.

Navigate to the following folder:

On macOS: /Library/Application Support/Adobe/Plug-ins/Elements<Version Number>/File Formats

On Windows: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Plug-Ins\Elements<Version Number>\File Formats

Replace the existing Camera Raw plugin in Elements<Version Number> folder with the plug-in that you copied earlier.

99jon

Brainiac

Brilliant! Thank you so much! I followed your instructions and have managed to install the plugin. I created the "Elements25" folder in the "Plugins" folder because it didn't exist. But it worked. Yay! Thank you for taking the time to give clear instructions.

Glad it worked for you.

99jon YouTube Tutorials

99jon

Brainiac

You normally install from the Editor menu:

Help > Install Camera Raw

You can check from the menu for a successful installation from:

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2026 Editor > About Plugins > Camera Raw

Press esc to close the pop-up.

P

practical_days6773Author

Known Participant

I tried that but all that happens is theat the workspace disappears leaving just the menu bar at the top of the screen. I checked the About Plugins and it just listed Photomerge. To get the elements workspace back I have to shut down the computer which involves force quiting the elements software which is stopping me shutting down. I really need an idiots guide to do this with step by step instructions - is there such a thing.

99jon

Brainiac

Try my Dropbox download Camera Raw 17-5-1 For Mac

Use the download button near top right. There is no need to have Dropbox account. Click the link to download without signing in.

Double-click to open the zip file and use Finder to copy or drag Camera Raw.plugin into the File Formats folder at this location - Go Menu > Go to Folder:

Macintosh HD > Library > Application Support > Adobe > Plug-Ins > Elements 26 > File Formats

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