Tips to open ASF file
Can't open the ASF file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open ASF files as well as a list of programs that support ASF files.
ASF file extension
| File Name |
Advanced Systems (streaming) Format |
| File Developer |
Microsoft |
| File Category |
Video Files |
The ASF file is supported on 4 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the ASF files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the ASF file on each system platform.
What is ASF file?
The .ASF file is a video file. It is a multimedia container developed by Microsoft. It is customary to store audio and video tracks, but can act as an audio file. The same container is also used in .WMA and .WMV files. In addition to multimedia tracks, the file has metadata about the author or title of the work. The format was created and is suitable for posting on the Internet and streaming. The standard itself does not specify the codecs that are required to support a specific file, it depends on the specific path.
How to open ASF file?
The most common problem when using Advanced Systems (streaming) Format is that a specific ASF is not associated with the program. This is manifested by the fact that ASF files open in unusual applications or do not have an assigned program. This problem can be easily remedied.
The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the ASF 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 VLC media player
An often overlooked issue is to make sure that VLC media player is installed on the computer. The easiest method is to use the system search engine by entering the program name VLC media player in it. In the absence of an appropriate program, its installation in the vast majority of cases will fix the problem. Below you will find a list of applications that support ASF files.
Programs to open ASF file
Remember to download programs supporting ASF files only from verified and safe sources. We suggest using the websites of software developers.
Step 2. Create association of VLC media player with ASF files
However, it may happen that the application itself does not cause the ASF file to open in the VLC media player 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 displayed window will contain information about the program that supports this type of file. Using the "Change" button we can set the program to handle this type. The program should be visible in the window, otherwise it should be selected manually using the "Browse" button and the program installation directory should be indicated. The "always use the selected program ..." field will set the VLC media player application as the default for handling the ASF file.
Step 3. Update VLC media player to the latest version
The fault may also lie with the VLC media player program, it is possible that Advanced Systems (streaming) Format requires a newer version of the program. In this case, use the VideoLAN Project Team website or update the program from the application.
Step 4. Check for the following problems with the ASF file
The problem may also be with the file itself if the above steps don't work. The most common file problems are:
The affected file may be 0 KB or smaller than expected. This suggests truncating the ASF file contents when downloading or copying. The only repair option is to download the file again.
The computer may have fallen victim to a computer virus or hacker. A quick virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should clear up any doubts. Alternatively, you can use the scanners available online. The scan should cover the entire computer, not only the ASF file that we want to open. Sometimes virus-infected ASF files cannot be recovered, so make a backup in advance.
A typical compatibility error - the program does not support the older version of the ASF file. Help should be sought from the software developer, as they usually recommend using free file converters or installing an older version of the program.
There can be many reasons for this. Repairing is very dependent on the file type. Some programs offer the ability to automatically repair ASF file corruption. The easiest way is to restore the file from a backup, if there is one, or contact Microsoft
The program can also signal the fact of encryption. The encrypted ASF files can be used by the device on which they were encrypted, on any other device it is required to have the appropriate cryptographic key and decrypt the file before its recovery.
The operating system protects files in some locations (e.g. the root of the system partition) against unauthorized access. While there is usually no problem reading such a file, it may not be possible to save it. If possible, you can try to move the ASF file to another location.
This problem usually affects more complex files. You may find that another program you are using is preventing you from working with the file. Just close unnecessary programs. Sometimes you have to wait for the session to the file ASF to close. However, some background programs may block the ASF file while scanning. If the problem persists, restart the machine.
Was this page helpful? YesNo
