Tips to open ASC file

Can't open the ASC file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open ASC files as well as a list of programs that support ASC files.

ASC file extension

File Name ASCII Text Format
File Category Text Files

The ASC file is supported on 3 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the ASC files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the ASC file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 2
  • 1
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is ASC file?

The .ASC file is a text file saved in ASCII format. The file can be read with a text editor independent of the system. Unlike a .TXT file, it does not support any other encodings. ASCII encoding also does not support Polish and other diacritical marks (so-called tails). You can save the file as .TXT and change the encoding. It is worth noting that ASCII text files are not a very popular solution. This extension may also have other uses than a simple text file.

How to open ASC file?

The main problem with ASCII Text Format is that the ASC file is incorrectly associated with programs. This causes the file ASC to open by system applications not designed for this purpose, or to display a message that there is no associated program. This can be quickly resolved by following the instructions below.

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the ASC file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install NotePad++ text editor

In this case, you should first verify that the NotePad++ text editor application is installed on the computer. To do this, enter the name NotePad++ text editor into the system search engine. If it is not, installation may solve the problem, as most applications create file associations during installation. Later in this article you will find a list of programs that can open ASC files.

Programs to open ASC file

Remember to download programs supporting ASC files only from verified and safe sources. We suggest using the websites of software developers.

Step 2. Create association of NotePad++ text editor with ASC files

However, it may happen that the application itself does not cause the ASC file to open in the NotePad++ text editor application, but you can set it manually. This option is available from the level of Properties of a specific file available in the context menu. The window will show, among other things, the type of the file and the information by which the program is used to launch the file. Using the "Change" button we can select the desired program. If there is no software on the list, simply select "Browse" and manually select the directory where the application is installed. The "always use the selected program ..." field will set the NotePad++ text editor application as the default for handling the ASC file.

Step 3. Update NotePad++ text editor to the latest version

If, however, after binding NotePad++ text editor with ASCII Text Format there were still problems, you should update the program to the latest version. In this case, use the Notepad++ Team website or update the program from the application.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the ASC file

The problem may also be with the file itself if the above steps don't work. File problems can be divided into the following:

Very often, the file may be size 0 or incomplete. This suggests truncating the ASC file contents when downloading or copying. The only repair option is to download the file again.
The most common cause here is computer viruses. A virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should fix the problem. If this is not possible, you can use the online scanner. For the best results, we will scan the entire operating system, not just our ASC file. However, remember that not every infected ASC file can be recovered, so it is important to take care of regular backups.
A typical compatibility error - the program does not support the older version of the ASC file. On their websites, developers usually offer free solutions to such problems, e.g. in the form of a conversion program or an older version of the program.
There can be many reasons for the failure. Repairing is very dependent on the file type. Some programs offer the option of recovering data from damaged ASC files. The easiest way to restore the file is from a backup or by contacting N/A, but this one can be expensive. Not all damage can be reversed.
When reading, a message appears that the file was encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted file ASC except for the special designation, works normally, but only on the device where it was encrypted, before transferring it to another machine, decryption is required.
The operating system protects files in some locations (e.g. the root of the system partition) against unauthorized access. The problem is only writing to the file, not reading it. It is best to move ASC to a different directory.
This can happen on a file that does not support multiple access. Some file types can only be opened in one program at a time. Just close unnecessary programs. Sometimes it is necessary to wait a while before referencing the ASC file again. Some anti-virus or backup software may occupy the ASC file for a certain period of time. If this does not work either, restart the device.