How To Check and Download the Latest Adobe DNG Converter on Linux

Recently, I found myself chatting (as usual) about raw files and compatibility issues between various cameras and editors. You’d think a raw file is just a raw file, right? Not quite. Some manufacturers just can’t resist tinkering with their raw formats now and then. The result: certain new formats refuse to open in your favourite editor. I’m sure it’s not done just to annoy us – more likely it’s about shining a little extra spotlight on their own software. And honestly, it’s not limited to just one brand; it pops up everywhere. Well, except maybe with Olympus/OM System – those files just seem to work, every time 🙂

Thankfully, there’s a simple fix for all this compatibility drama: the Adobe DNG Converter. The beauty of this tool is that you can convert your raw files – without any quality loss – to the universal DNG format. That means your files are future-proof, and you can open them in basically any editor, now and ten years from now. There’s an extra bonus: film profiles or in-camera simulations often get carried over into your editor as well. Perfect if you like to keep that signature camera look – also in RawTherapee.

Of course, keeping up with the latest version of DNG Converter can be a bit of a chore – especially on Linux, where you need to manually download the Windows version from Adobe’s site (not the most exciting task, let’s be honest). That’s why I put together a handy little bash script that automatically fetches the latest version for you. Link this script to a weekly or monthly timer (cronjob, for the Linux folks), and you’ll never have to worry about updates again. Always up-to-date, zero hassle!

My script is in Dutch, but an English version follows below.

What You Need

• curl installed (most Linux distros have it by default)
  Install with: sudo apt install curl
• Basic command line skills

The Script

Save this script as check-dng-version.sh – or whatever:

#!/bin/bashREDIRECT_URL="https://www.adobe.com/go/dng_converter_win"# Follow redirects to find the real download linkFINAL_URL=$(curl -s -I -L "$REDIRECT_URL" | grep -i "^location:" | tail -1 | awk '{print $2}' | tr -d '\r\n')if [[ -z "$FINAL_URL" ]]; thenecho "⚠️ Could not find the download link."exit 1fi# Extract version from the filenameVERSION=$(echo "$FINAL_URL" | grep -oE 'AdobeDNGConverter_x64_[0-9_]+\.exe' | sed 's/AdobeDNGConverter_x64_//' | sed 's/\.exe//' | tr '_' '.')echo "🆕 Latest Adobe DNG Converter version: $VERSION"echo "🔗 Download URL: $FINAL_URL"read -p "📥 Download now? [y/N]: " ANSWERif [[ "$ANSWER" =~ ^[Yy]$ ]]; thenFILE="AdobeDNGConverter_${VERSION}_win.exe"echo "⏳ Downloading..."curl -L -o "$FILE" "$FINAL_URL"echo "✅ Download completed: $FILE"fi

How to Use

1. Make the script executable: chmod +x check-dng-version.sh
2. Run it: ./check-dng-version.sh
3. The script fetches the latest Adobe DNG Converter Windows installer URL, extracts the version number, and prompts if you want to download it.
4. If you agree, it downloads the .exe file to your current directory.

Downloading the latest version update.

A freshly installed Adobe DNG Converter 17.4.1.2280

Notes

• This script only works for the Windows DNG Converter. The Mac version uses a different URL pattern.
• Adobe’s website uses redirects, so this script follows those to get the real download link.
• You can run this anytime to check if a new version is available, or even better Cron it!

Why use Adobe DNG Converter?

• Universal Compatibility: DNG files open in any editor, so you’re never locked out when software updates lag behind new cameras.
• Future-Proofing: DNG is an open standard. Your files won’t become digital fossils if your editor (or camera brand) goes extinct.
• Film Simulations: Some in-camera looks (film styles, profiles) get saved and show up in editors like RawTherapee.

But are there downsides?

• File Size: DNGs are usually the same size as your original raw, sometimes a bit smaller thanks to lossless compression.
• Loss of Quality? Nope. Conversion is lossless—your data stays intact.
• Do I need it if my raws already work? Not really. If your files open fine everywhere, you can skip it. DNG is mainly a lifesaver for new camera support, weird file types, or just future-proofing your archive.

In short: you don’t have to use DNG, but it’s a solid insurance policy for anyone who wants total freedom and long-term peace of mind.

This article was written by Marc R.
While I primarily speak Dutch and have some knowledge of English and a little French, ChatGPT helps ensure my writing is grammatically correct. I often mix Dutch and English in my drafts, and ChatGPT steps in to translate and correct.