how to change what a file is opened with

Any file used to store data with the .dat extension is considered a DAT file. It can contain many different formats, but most commonly, information technology's merely plain text. Nevertheless, since there'southward more one type of file, in that location's no shortage of programs you tin use to open them.

Showtime, you have to determine whether it'southward video or text-based to figure out how to open a DAT file. That tin be tricky since there's aught almost the file that discloses its format right off the bat. One fashion to do information technology is by using a code-reading program which sounds complicated at first, but is pretty straightforward. In this article, we'll go over some of the more than common tools you lot can use to open and convert differently.DAT files.

What Is a DAT File?

Generic data files with the DAT extension are meant to store of import information related to the programme that created them. More often than not, they're bundled with DLL and other config files. They're generally hidden away in data directories, but sometimes you can become one equally an e-mail attachment.

Each kind of DAT file is created and handled by unlike software. The data is then used every bit a blueprint for various system tasks. Since it'due south hard to know whether a DAT file includes images, videos, text, or software configuration files, in that location's no i way to open up them. Y'all'll have to use a different program each time.

For text-based DAT files, Windows 10 has a built-in text editor – the Notepad ++. Of course, you're not limited to using a pre-installed program. There are many alternative solutions you can download to your PC for gratis or fifty-fifty apply online.

Still, nigh devices and programs, including iOS and Android, iTunes, iMovie, and Windows Media Player, do not support DAT video files. Instead, you take to use a video role player that supports DAT files explicitly if you want to play them without whatsoever bug.

How to Open a DAT File Using a Text Editor

Commonly, DAT files are text-based and tin can exist read using a code-editing computer plan. Windows Notepad ++ is an obvious solution since information technology'south already installed on your PC. Here's how yous can open DAT files by using the Windows 10 text editor:

1. Locate the DAT file on your figurer.
2. Highlight the file with your cursor. Right-click to open up the drop-down carte du jour.
   
3. Click "Open up With" to access a list of recommended programs.
   
4. Select "Notepad ++" from the options panel.
   

If it doesn't open up and instead, a new window appears with the discussion "NUL" written all over, the DAT file isn't text-based. Y'all'll have to try another programme.

Windows 10 is uniform with a wide range of tertiary-political party text editors you tin can download for complimentary. Fifty-fifty though Notepad ++ is pretty solid, it's not immune to glitches. If y'all think the DAT file is text-based but still won't open, effort using one of the following alternatives:

• Atom
• VS Code
• Vim
• Bluefish
• Komodo Edit

All of these present a solid culling to Notepad ++ when information technology comes to handling DAT files.

How to Open Winmail.dat Files

Electronic mail servers sometimes interpret emails into the DAT format automatically. This is especially the example with Microsoft Outlook. If you lot receive an Outlook message just don't take it installed on your PC, y'all'll become a winmail.dat file attached instead. You won't exist able to open the whole email without using a third-political party website.

Winmaildat.com is an online service created as a response to the Outlook configuration bug. You can access it with any browser and utilise information technology to open the DAT electronic mail attachment. The online tool will show yous what the file contains and allow you to catechumen and download the information. It only takes a few seconds and is pretty straightforward:

1. Download the e-mail attachment to your local drive.
2. Open up your preferred browser.
   
3. Navigate to the search bar at the height of the screen and type Winmaildat.com.
   
4. Movement your cursor to the "Cull File" tab and click on it.
   
5. A new window volition appear. Scan through your PC and locate the DAT file.
   
6. Click on the file and so "Open up" to upload.
   
7. Hit the blue "Offset" push. Wait a few seconds until Winmaildat.com processes the file.
   
8. One time it's finished, y'all'll see the contents of the email on the "Consequence" folio. Click on the file y'all want to download to your PC.
   
   

How to Open up DAT Files in Excel

If you're sure a detail DAT file contains obviously text, you can view it in an Excel spreadsheet. For example, if a piece of work electronic mail came in the grade of a DAT file attachment, feel free to open up it with the Microsoft Role program. The process is pretty similar to uploading other types of files, with a tiny distinction. Here's what you need to do:

1. Launch Excel. If it'southward not pinned to your taskbar, you can utilize the search bar at the lesser-left corner of the screen.
2. Open a new workbook and click the "Files" tab in the height-left corner of the screen.
   
3. A new window will announced. Select "Open up" from the panel on the left-hand side.
   
4. Click "Browse" from the list of options. Open the folder with the DAT file.
   
5. To view it, click on the tab in the lesser-right corner of the screen. Select "All Files" from the drop-down listing. Click "Open."
   
6. A popular-up box will appear. To complete the process, click "Next" when prompted, and then "Finish."

How to Open Video DAT Files

In most cases, video-based DAT files originate in video editing software, so you can usually open them with one. For instance, if you take CyberLink PowerDirector installed, it's a prophylactic bet that'due south where the file was created, especially if it'southward stored in an adjacent directory. Still, if you can't figure out where the file came from, you can effort your luck with a regular video role player.

As mentioned, Windows ten doesn't have a built-in video histrion that supports DAT files. While Windows Media Player is a reliable playback tool, it's limited to the near common formats. You tin can download a tertiary-party app like VLC Player and use it for playing DAT files. Here'southward how to practise it:

1. Open your chosen browser and go to this website.
2. Click the orange "Download" button to get the role player.
   
3. Once you lot install, discover the DAT file on your PC. Right-click on information technology to open a list of recommended actions.
   
4. Click "Open With" and and so select the VLC player from the list.
   

Y'all'll exist able to open up the file, just keep in heed about DAT files are but computer codes. There's hardly whatever indicate in opening information technology with a video thespian.

How to Convert DAT Files

If you have a preferred plan, you lot can use a file converter to change the DAT file to a corresponding format. Of class, the steps vary depending on the type.

In that location are several online tools you tin can use to practice this. We already mentioned Winmail.dat that helps you decode broken Outlook messages.

If you want to change a video-based DAT file to an MP4 format, it's more user-friendly to download a desktop program. For Windows 10, 1 of the more than pop solutions is Win FF. It's entirely free for download and very user-friendly. Here'due south how to use information technology:

1. By using your preferred browser, download the program from this website.
   
2. Locate the DAT file on your estimator. Right-click on it and select "Rename."
   
3. Change the extension from .dat to .MP4 or another preferred format.
   
4. Click on Win FF to launch the programme.
   
5. In the toolbar higher up, click the "+Add" button. Notice the DAT file and open it.
   
6. Click "Convert To" and fix it to MP4.
   
7. You tin can conform the quality settings and other features if you wish. Hit "Convert" once you're done.
   

If the file is used to store config information, there's no need to catechumen it to another format. Too, keep in mind that sometimes converting a DAT file can make it unusable in the program that created it.

DAT's No Easy Chore

In almost cases, DAT files incorporate configuration data Windows Os uses for running particular tasks. Other times information technology'south just apparently text. Either manner, you can use Notepad ++ to open them. If yous're not peachy on the congenital-in text editor, you can plow to third-party websites and apps.

When it comes to video-based DAT files, you don't have the option to utilise a pre-installed program. Instead, download a third-party video player or consider converting the file in a Windows Media Player-friendly format.

Lastly, Microsoft Outlook has a item glitch where it converts regular email attachments into DAT files. If that happens, there'southward a custom-made online solution in the class of the Winmail.dat website.

Have you ever converted a DAT file? What'south your preferred text editor? Comment below and tell us if there's a way to know what blazon of information is independent in a particular DAT file.

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Source: https://www.alphr.com/open-dat-file-windows/

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