How To Open Files With Unknown File Extensions

You received or downloaded a file which Windows does not recognizes. Then, how to open files with unknown file extensions? A file that has no extension or that has an extension that is not listed in the Registry on your computer will need to have some program associated with its type before it can be opened or otherwise used.

While your computer may be configured to use Notepad for opening unknown file types. If not then if you double-click on such a file, Windows will bring up the unknown file dialog box, where Windows displays an appropriate programs list to open the file with but in most of the cases this tends to be useless. This is where OpenWith.org comes to your rescue.

OpenWith.org provides detailed information about most file extension and links to free programs that can open and create each type of file.

How to use OpenWith.org Desktop Tool?

  • Download and install the OpenWith.org Desktop Tool on your computer.
  • Right click on the file you don’t know how to open, and left click on “OpenWith.org – How do I Open This?

OpenWith.org context menu

  • If OpenWith.org knows about that type of file, you will see a list of compatible programs. If you already have one of the programs installed, it will say Installed. If not, it will say Download.

OpenWith.org Desktop Tool

  • Select the program you want to use. If you are unsure, you can double-click on each program for more information.
  • If the program you want to use is already installed, skip to step 9.
  • If the program you want to use isn’t already installed, click on the Download link. The program will now be downloaded.
  • Once the program is downloaded, a new folder will open with the installer. At this point, you need to run the installer to install the selected program.
  • After you install the program, you will see Download change to Installed.
  • Once you have selected an installed program, simply click ‘Open‘ to open the file.

OpenWith.org Desktop Tool

Visit the official site to download it.
That must be very easy, isn’t it? What do you feel? Share your thoughts and comments below!

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