URL File - opening and understanding
Did your computer fail to open an URL file? We explain what they are used for and recommend software that we know can open or otherwise handle your .URL files.
What is an URL file?
Files with the .url extension contain Internet shortcuts that are used by a variety of Web browsing applications. The URL file contains the information for a Website's URL address and may also contain references to the favicon.ico file that is displayed as the icon for the URL shortcut. When a user clicks on this icon, the URL file is referenced and the user's Internet browser launches the Web page that the URL directs to.
How to open URL 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 URL for different purposes.
While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested 10 different URL openers which you will find listed below.
Suggest another file format using extension URL
While we know of one file format using the .URL 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 .URL file.
Various viewers for this file format
These apps are known to open certain types of URL files. Remember, different programs may use URL files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.
 | Maxthon | User submitted |
 | Maxthon Cloud Browser | User submitted |
 | Lunascape6 | User submitted |
 | Avant Browser | User submitted |
 | Opera Internet Browser | User submitted |
 | Sleipnir | User submitted |
| Beamrise | User submitted |
 | Maxthon Browser | User submitted |
 | Opera | User submitted |
 | Woopie Browser | 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.