How to Open Files that have Unknown Extensions

As you might be aware File Extensions are the prefixed characters that help to decide the type of file, like a jpeg image has the extension .jpeg and you know that which software program or application will be required to view or open the file. In this article I will guide you on how to open files that have unknown extensions.

Sometimes in our day to day stuff we come across certain files that either do not have any extension or else the extension is unknown. In most of such cases we try to open the file using “N” number of suggested programs of the Operating System or we start surfing the net, but all in vain.

Identify Files that have an unknown extension:

For doing this you need to go to Wolfram Alpha  and search the file extension (including the dot symbol).

After you hit enter at Wolfram, it will share all the technical details of the extension, as is evident in the below example. It will tell you the type of file, MIME Type, and the list of programs or applications that could be used to open the file on your computer.

In the below example, I have used .ods extension and Wolfram tells us that it is a spreadsheet type of file which could be opened or viewed using Microsoft Excel, Libre Office, and Open Office applications or programs installed on my personal computer.

Identify Files that do not have any extension:

Don’t worry if your file does not have any extension, we can still identify the file type from its signature. You would be reassured to know that all files carry a unique and standard signature. Normally signature is not displayed in File Properties it is stored in the file. However, there are many programs which help in reading the file signature and find out the file format even if extensions is not available with the file name.

Online Application for finding out file extension:

If your file does not has any extension or signature, then for checking the file type online you need to go to “http://mark0.net/onlinetrid.aspx”

Just browse the file at your computer and click on “Analyze!” button as shown in below screenshot.

After sometime it will display identification results which will incorporate the file type and extension as shown in below screenshot.

So, now you have go the extension of your file. Now you could go to Wolfram Alpha to know the programs or applications to view or open the file. Please go through the above steps for seeking more help on Wolfram Alpha in the “Identify Files that have an unknown extension” section.

Download Desktop Application for finding out file extension:

TriDNet is the most popular program in identifying files. You first need to download TRiDNet Utility. After downloading successfully unzip the TrIDNet utility and associated XML definition files in the same directory. After unzipping open the TrIDNet.exe file.

Now after TrIDNET Application is opened, browse the file which is not having extension and signature and press the “Rescan Defs” button. This is will load the file signatures. Now you can click on the analyze button as shown in below figure. and then drag-drop any unknown files that you wish to analyze. It will display the different file types that match with the file’s signature. Now you could go to Wolfram Alpha to know the programs or applications to view or open the file. Please go through the above steps for seeking more help on Wolfram Alpha in the “Identify Files that have an unknown extension” section.

Identify File Signature for known extension:

In case your file has an extension but you have don’t have file signature, for such cases Wolfram again comes to rescue.

Go to Wolfram Alpha  and use following query as input

<file extension (including the dot symbol)> file signature

After you hit enter at Wolfram, it will share all the technical details of the extension, as is evident in the above example. It will tell you the type of file, Extension, MIME Type, and File Signature

So this is all about how to open files that have unknown extensions. However do remember to rename the file(s) after identification is successfully completed (press F2, prefix a dot with the extension).

Article by Ankit

Ankit is the founder of Geek Revealed. He is tech Geek who loves to sit in front of his square headed girlfriend all day long. :D   You can find Ankit on FaceBook or Google Plus