INI File Type

- The quick facts

What are INI files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening an INI file or just wondering what they contain? We explain what these files are used for and show you software that we know can open or otherwise handle your files.

What is an INI file?

These INI files are settings and options files that are normally found in Windows computers, and this file format was developed by Microsoft for the Windows OS. Many applications and third party tools that run in the Windows OS create INI files to store program-specific data.The data stored in these INI files may include certain parameters, specific file and directory locations that are used by associated programs. Application-specific options that were saved by default upon the installation of the program, or chosen by the user during manual configuration of the application, may also be stored in these .ini files.Upon start-up, many Windows applications and third party programs primarily access the data stored in associated INI files. Since an INI file is a plain text file, these .ini files can be opened using a text editing application like Notepad. It's best to leave these INI files alone, in order for the Windows applications and third party programs that are associated with the INI file to continue functioning properly.

How to open INI files

Important: Different programs may use files with the INI file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your INI file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested 10 different INI openers which you will find listed below.

Last updated: April 4, 2022

Suggest another file format using extension INI

While we know of one file format using the .INI file extension, there may be more. It is widespread that different programs use files with the same file extension for very different types of data. Please let us know if you are aware of a different kind of .INI file.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of INI files. Remember, different programs may use INI files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.