DIR File - opening and understanding
Did your computer fail to open a DIR file? We explain what they are used for and recommend software that we know can open or otherwise handle your .DIR files.
What is a DIR file?
A .DIR file is a CP Backup Directory file. Through our analysis of DIR files, we know that one use of the format is CP Backup Directory . We have not yet described in detail what these files contain and what they are used for, but our team is working tiredlessly through thousands of file formats. We'd love hearing from you if you have information about the format.
How to open DIR files
You will need a program compatible with the specific file you are trying to open, as different programs may use files with file extension DIR for different purposes.
While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested 10 different DIR openers which you will find listed below.
Other file formats using extension .DIR
While CP Backup Directory is a popular type of DIR-file, we know of 2 different uses of the .DIR extension.
The DIR file extension indicates to your device which app can open the file. However, different apps may use the same file extension for different types of data. So a DIR opener may not be able to open all kinds of DIR files. In this case, look through both formats to make sure you find the best suited DIR viewer.
Macromedia/Adobe Director Project
Files that contain the .dir file extension are movie or animation project files that the Macromedia Director, later Adobe Director, software application has created.
The Macromedia Director software program is used to create and edit videos. The DIR files used by the program include project resources, scripting code, a timeline, and links to other associated media files. The DIR files are the project file and are not usually distributed to the end-user as the actual movie file.
A DIR file helps determine how a movie is played within a media player. Macromedia, the company that created the Director program and the DIR file format, was taken over by Adobe in 2005.
While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested 10 different DIR openers which you will find listed below.
Various viewers for this file format
These apps are known to open certain types of DIR files. Remember, different programs may use DIR files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.
 | Procomm Plus Connection Manager | User submitted |
 | Stuffit Expander | User submitted |
 | Director | User submitted |
 | Any Video Converter Professional | User submitted |
 | CodeWarrior | User submitted |
 | synedra View Personal | User submitted |
 | Director Shockwave Studio | User submitted |
 | progeCAD Professional | User submitted |
 | Director MX | User submitted |
 | Flash Movie Player | User submitted |
Not sure exactly what type of file you are trying to open? Try our new File Analyzer. It is a free tool that can identify more than 11,000 different kinds of files - most likely yours too! It will help you find software that can handle your specific type of file. Download File Analyzer here.