SWP File

What are SWP files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a SWP file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your SWP files.

What is a SWP file?

A .SWP file is a Vim Swap file.

A Vim Swap file, otherwise known as a ".SWP" file, is created by the Vim text editor whenever somebody opens a file to edit. This temporary file stores modifications made to the original document and safeguards it in case of unexpected crashes or system malfunctions.

It is important to know that the Vim Swap file is intended as a temporary backup while editing, not permanent storage. Once the original file is closed or any changes are saved, the ".SWP" files automatically get deleted.

If a Vim Swap file isn't removed properly when closing a file, it can lead to problems when you try to reopen the original document. You may be asked if you'd like to recover your data from the Vim Swap file.

For these situations, it's suggested to use the Vim command ":recover" to restore the file from the Vim Swap file. If the source file was modified since its last save, the recovery process will blend the modifications made in both the original file and the Vim Swap file.

How to open SWP files

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

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

Last updated: February 6, 2023

Various apps that use files with this extension

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

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about SWP file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.