Each person, regardless of his seniority and experience at the computer, has to work with different formats of materials in the system. Each time we turn on the computer, we learn, gain experience and learn something new. As practice shows, it is the problematic moments that make us look for practical ways to solve the problem, thereby developing our horizons and increasing knowledge.
One of these problematic moments may be the need to open a file with the .dat extension. When a user first encounters materials in an unknown format and he has a need to open them, without knowing how to do this, it is almost impossible to solve the problem. In this article, we will tell you how and how you can open a file with the .dat extension.
Contents
What is dat extension
Documents with the dat extension are characterized by a peculiar structure. DAT is an abbreviation for the word data, which is translated from English as “data”. Based on this concept, it can be assumed that the document can contain data of any kind. Such files are neither informational nor binary. This greatly complicates the search for an application that will 100% guarantee its decryption.
The specific characteristics of this extension indicate that the file that the consumer needs to open can contain any data. They can be standard information, a video, a picture, a music application, or complex content. Depending on the type of embedded data, you need to choose a program that can recognize and open the document. However, in order to see what is inside, you need to decide on the option of opening the document. It turns out a kind of vicious circle.
Next, we will tell you how to solve this problem and by means of which programs you can determine the contents of the file. It is worth noting that in order to view the content, first the user will need to find out which program created this format, and then deal with opening it using this utility.
Basic ways to open a document
Sometimes, in order to open a file, there is no need to use special applications that are designed to decrypt its properties. The fact is that most often the format is used to encrypt text information and is revealed using the most primitive notepad that is available on any computer. And also to decrypt the content, you can try using Microsoft Word, Open Office and other standard applications for the user. Very often, attempts to resolve the issue in this way give a positive result.
If you cannot open the data using known programs, you can try to change the archive extension to a format known to the user. If the consumer is at a loss as to which format to give preference to, you can right-click on the archive and select the “Open with” option, where the computer itself will suggest acceptable applications. This method can also give a result, and the user will be able to view the contents of the document using the applications offered by the computer.
If none of the options gives the desired results, it is not possible to view the contents of the archive, then it is worth moving on to more effective methods, using special applications to solve the problem.
How to determine the utility for decrypting the dat format
There are special utilities that are designed to decrypt unknown formats. They allow you to view through which application the file was originally created, which in the future will give the user an answer which program to use to open it. It is worth noting that you can open the contents of the archive without any problems using the program that created it.
Most often, for these purposes, the FileType Verificator program is used, which has a Russian-language interface. To solve the problem, you need to download and install it on your computer. This can be done by entering the name of the program through any Internet browser installed on the computer in a search engine or by following the link https://www.bestfree.ru/soft/file/filetype-downloader.php. You need to download it to your computer and install it. You can also use the Win Hex utility for decryption, which belongs to professional applications.
After installing the application, go to its main menu, select the “Add file” option and attach the dat extension document of interest to the user. Next, you need to select the selected file in the program. In the window that opens, all data about it will be provided, including information about the application through which it was created.
How to open a file with a dat extension
Dozens of different software solutions are capable of creating and communicating using this type of files. It is a data custodian with versatile capabilities that can be used by different applications.
To run the DAT file manually, you will need to select the appropriate utility. She must recognize the document and then open it.
But it turns out to be a kind of vicious circle. If the user does not know what is inside the file, then it is problematic to choose the appropriate tool for opening.
It is best to use the application that originally created this file to open.
But if the user does not know the name of this program, then the choice is made by the selection method, or using a text editor.
Pay attention to the file size. The following pattern usually works here:
- Up to 5 MB. If the size of the file does not exceed 5 MB, then there is probably text inside it. To open, you can use a text editor, notepad, etc.
- 5 to 15 MB. This is most likely the file that contains the audio recording. Therefore, programs for working with audio files come to the rescue.
- 15 MB or more. In this case, the dat file contains video content. To view it, you need to arm yourself with a video editor.
To make it easier to choose the right tool for opening the file type in question, you should divide the options into several categories.
Online tools
You can understand the dat file and open it online. The following tools may come in handy here:
- Instant Messenger. A popular service that is used for instant messaging between users.
- Internet browsers. These are browsers like Google Chrome. Opera, Mozilla Firefox, etc.
- WinMail Opener. A useful and interesting utility for many. Its peculiarity is the ability to read the contents of encoded TNEF files in e-mail messages.
- MS Exchanger. This is a corporate email service. Facilitates collaboration with documents.
- CoolUtils. It is an online converter. With its help, you can convert a dat document to any format the user needs. You just need to have an Internet connection.
Each of the proposed options can be useful in a given situation.
Computer programs
This refers to desktop PCs and portable laptops, like all of their existing varieties.
The easiest way to answer the question about the software used to open the dat file is if you first know about the contents of the document. But this is optional. After all, universal special applications can come to the rescue.
- File Type Verification. When you run this software solution, the file is added to a special analyzer. He scans the document and gives out detailed information about it. Information about the content appears on the screen. Additionally, programs are selected that can run this file on the user’s computer. Text and graphics content is displayed in the preview window. If nothing has been demonstrated, this window will remain blank. The software itself is distributed free of charge. Working with him is extremely simple. Largely due to the presence of the Russian-language interface.
- WinHex. A popular editor for Windows, which has a large number of different functionality and tools built in. It can be used to check and, if necessary, edit the file format in question.
You can also choose software based on its location.
If the location was the Adobe folder, then the document was generated by applications from the Adobe series.
When found in system files, we are talking about service files. It ensures correct and stable operation of the main software on a computer with an operating system. It is not recommended to open and edit such files. Otherwise, it will lead to a software failure. Or a malfunction of the operating system.
You don’t have to be an advanced user to find a utility suitable for DAT files and opening them.
It is enough to right-click on the document and then select the “Open with” menu. One of the programs that is available on the computer is selected and launched. This allows the file to open successfully.
But it’s usually even easier. DAT files have no icon. Therefore, an attempt to open it will lead to the fact that the operating system itself will give a hint in the form of a list of available applications with which this object can be opened.
If the user works with an Apple device based on MacOS, then from the files suitable for opening dat files, it is worth using programs such as BBEdit and TextEdit.
For Windows users, the proposed list is much more extensive. It includes the following tools:
- Microsoft Word.
- Foxit Reader.
- WinDjView.
- Microsoft Outlook.
- WinmailOpener.
- VCDGear.
- Corel WordPerfect.
- River Past VideoCleaner.
- CyberLynk PowerDirector.
- WMDecoder, etc.
And this is not a complete list.
Most often, those applications that are included in the list of standard programs for the operating system help in opening. But it also happens that you have to use third-party software.
Android and iOS
Files with the DAT extension can also be opened with a mobile device.
But smartphones and tablets have more modest resources than computers and laptops. Plus the list of available software is smaller.
The issue of opening the desired file is easily solved. The simplest solution would be a universal viewer called File Viewer. Suitable for users of mobile gadgets running Android OS. It supports about 100 different file types. In addition to opening, it also provides options for subsequent editing.
There is also a solution for iOS users. This is the KuponBG Klammer utility.
Why won’t the file open
It so happens that by selection or by examining the content, the user knows that potentially this file is being opened. But it still fails.
It is important to understand that the reason is not always the wrong choice of software. There are other possible factors influencing the fact that the DAT file does not want to open:
- the file download was not 100% complete, the process is still ongoing, or was interrupted;
- the document being opened is infected with a malicious program, and therefore the system does not want to open it, or the virus itself does not allow this;
- there is not enough free space on your computer or mobile device to perform this action;
- the drivers used are out of date and need to be updated.
In these situations, it is worth trying to open the same file using a different computer. Or update the software, scan the document using antivirus software.
In extreme cases, you can contact specialized specialists. But they do this when the file must be opened and get to its contents.
Summarizing
As you can see, working with materials of an unknown format does not have any particular difficulties, the main thing is to find the right approach to solving the problem. Sometimes, in order to decrypt a dat format document, it is enough to try using the available or popular programs installed on the computer.
If the trial method does not give a result, then you need to use a proven and reliable method, namely, download a program that will show the correct path to decrypt the file. Using the tips and tricks provided above, you can handle it yourself.