Uploading raw image files with Windows Photo Gallery?

I recently got a new camera. It's a Nikon D3100 and I shoot in raw. My problem is, when I just tried to import the pictures to my computer (a Dell with Windows 7), it doesn't work! It imports the pictures but then when I try to access the files on my computer this message shows up: "Photo Gallery can't open this photo or video. This file format is not supported, or you don't have the latest updates to Photo Gallery." When the pictures were imported to the computer they were deleted from the camera! Is there any way I can get them back? And what do I need to do to get a program that will support raw files? What programs are capable of that? Any suggestions are much appreciated!

Why don't you just change the file type to jpeg or gof. To get the photos back to your camera, just reverse the operation you just performed.

You need the specific microsoft raw codecs/viewer

Google microsoft raw viewer and it should be there.

Also google raw converters (even though there should be one on the software supplied with the camera).

You need a plugin, just type into google want and there should be a plugin you can download for free.