camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

With all due respect, if you are new to photography and I have to assume also new to editing why shooting RAW? RAW files require especial software to edit and expertise on the part of the operator.
If you do not have an editor for your RAW images you will never be able to edit the RAW files.
Download a codek from Nikon so that you can see the images.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

There's a codex for Win10 to will allow you to see raw images.
Several links on this page: https://www.google.ca/search?q=codec+to+read+raw+files+in+Windows10&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b&gfe_rd=cr&dcr=0&ei=rze-Wr7hIoqA-gSTvoi4Cg

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

This is not entirely true. Windows 10 can only 'see' files that it has been set up to do so. Codec for .nef must be installed. This is true for all operating systems. Sometimes a new camera is released that slightly changes the rules for viewing the files. In this event you need to look for updates that address this issue. You will note that most editing programs need to do this as well. I am sure that there are members here who have purchased a brand new released camera, only to find that their editing program has not yet updated to view these files.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

You need an application that reads Nikon raw files - .nef. That why there are tons of software out there for photography.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Delete the folder where you thought you put them. Close File Explorer. Reopen Explorer and create the folder again, being careful to note the path. Then open your SD card, Select All, and Copy. Then Paste into the new folder you just created. If they don't show up, restart your PC and do it again. If that fails, you may have a Windows 10 problem. Windows 10 does have a codec file that is able to view the JPEG that's inside of RAW files.

tscripta

Just purchased a Nikon D3300. The software disk that came with it "ViewNX2" would not install on macOS 10.13.3 or my laptop 10.13.1. I downloaded the software from Nikon's website and the same thing happened. I have contacted Nikon on their website. Do I presume that ViewNX2 is most likely not compatible with High Sierra 10.13 versions?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Your attempt to hijack this thread with a different problem is probably best directed to Apple and / or Nikon or opened as a new thread specific to your issue. The Nikon site for the 1.2.12 download states support for 10.13.3.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

RAW files are in a form that needs special apps to be viewable. Each manufacturer, and even different models within a manufacturer's offerings require specific software to view and edit them. There should be a CD supplied with the camera that has software for this. If not, it is available from the manufacturer's website.

Bill_de Loc: US

With all the misinformation in this thread as to what the OP needs to solve his problem, somebody should hijacked it and make it disappear.

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tscripta

Big apologies. First time here and was not paying attention to threads! I will go away now!

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

No, No, No

Computer 'sees' {is aware of} absolutely all files, apart from the few that are marked as 'hidden'. There is no reason for the camera to mark an image file as 'hidden'. The codec is needed only to see what it contains.

jnuss

I shoot exclusively in raw mode on a Nikon D300. Have never had an issue. My method: transfer the raw (NEF) camera files using drag and drop with a cable hooked between your
pc's usb port and a camera port matching the opposite end of the cable. Usually, Nikon adds the required cable to the packaging accompanying the camera. You'll want to create a target folder
on your pc hard drive to contain the images. Using the drag n drop facility in Explorer, I than copy all the NEF camera files to the target folder on my hard drive. At this point you may choose
a host of editing software to create the jpeg images usually desired for viewing. In my case I use Photoshop Elements 9 containing ACR (Adobe Camera Raw). I'll not go into the details of the
the editing process as this could fill up a complete book. Basically, the PSE editing consists of two parts: (1) An ACR basic edit which does hi-level exposure, focusing and contrast and
(2) a detailed Photoshop edit which allows cropping, alignment, layering and numerous other functions. When all your edits are complete, you save the finished image as a jpeg in your hard
drive target folder. I'd encourage you to research raw processing topics found in YouTube or elsewhere on the internet.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Stop it already! No one is talking about hidden files here. Why make this more than it is? Get the Codec and see the file. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Bill_de Loc: US

But if I add a lot of irrelevant BS people might think I'm smart.


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rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

But that is not the problem here!!!
I can 'see' NEF files without the codec!!! {but I have no idea what contents are}