INI File - opening and understanding
Did your computer fail to open an INI file? We explain what they are used for and recommend software that we know can open or otherwise handle your .INI 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
You will need a program compatible with the specific file you are trying to open, as different programs may use files with file extension INI for different purposes.
While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested 10 different INI openers which you will find listed below.
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 viewers for this file format
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.
 | Free File Viewer | User submitted |
 | UltraEdit | User submitted |
 | Microsoft Web Platform Extensions | User submitted |
 | GetDiz | User submitted |
 | Edge Code CC | User submitted |
 | Brackets | User submitted |
 | Notepad++ | User submitted |
 | AkelPad | User submitted |
 | Microsoft Visual Studio Code | User submitted |
 | WZ EDITOR | User submitted |
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