Tips to open DAT file
Can't open the DAT file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open DAT files as well as a list of programs that support DAT files.
DAT file extension
The DAT file is supported on 5 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the DAT files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the DAT file on each system platform.
What is DAT file?
A .DAT file is a universal way to tag data files. It is not a specific standard or format. This file is usually used by the application that created it and can be found in the directories of that application. The content can be text or binary. Some people use this format to hide the original extension, such as in the case of illegally distributed movies. In most cases, .DAT files are not intended to be opened or edited by the user.
How to open DAT file?
The most common problem when using Data Format is that a specific DAT is not associated with the program. Thus, when you open DAT, the program selection wizard or some other program starts. This can be quickly resolved by following the instructions below.
The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the DAT 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 Original program
The first step is to check if the computer has the Original program program installed. To do this, enter the name Original program into the system search engine. In the absence of an appropriate program, its installation in the vast majority of cases will fix the problem. Later in this article you will find a list of programs that can open DAT files.
Programs to open DAT file
Remember to download programs supporting DAT files only from verified and safe sources. We suggest using the websites of software developers.
Step 2. Create association of Original program with DAT files
If, despite the installed application, the DAT file does not start in the Original program application, you must create a file association. It is most convenient to call the context menu with the right mouse button and select Properties. Information about the file and the program that the file is associated with are available here. Changes can be made using the "Change" button. It may happen that in the next window there will be no appropriate program - however, this can be corrected with the "Browse" option where you should manually indicate the program location. However, it is important to check the "Always use the selected program ..." box, this will allow you to permanently associate the DAT file with the Original program application.
Step 3. Update Original program to the latest version
The fault may also lie with the Original program program, it is possible that Data Format requires a newer version of the program.
Step 4. Check for the following problems with the DAT file
If the above steps do not help, you can assume that the file itself is not correct. File problems can be divided into the following:
The DAT file may be unusually small compared to the original file. This is most often caused by a problem while downloading the DAT file. The file should be downloaded again, making sure that the process has finished correctly.
The computer may have fallen victim to a computer virus or hacker. Perform a virus scan using available and up-to-date anti-virus software. Alternatively, you can use the scanners available online. The scan should cover the entire computer, not only the DAT file that we want to open. As a result of the scan, sometimes it is not possible to recover DAT files, which are deleted if there is a backup of this file, then after restoring it, it must also be scanned.
Older version of DAT file may not always be supported by the latest software version. These problems are known and are often very easy to fix using the software developers's website.
There can be many reasons for the failure. Repairing is very dependent on the file type. Sometimes the program itself has options to repair the most popular DAT file corruption.
The program indicates that the file is encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted DAT 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.
Some operating systems do not allow file operations in certain locations, eg in system directories or directly on the system drive. The problem is only writing to the file, not reading it. Copying the DAT file to another location will fix the problem.
This can happen on a file that does not support multiple access. In this case, the DAT file is blocked by the first application to open it. Closing other programs should help. If the error persists after closing other programs, wait for a while. Some anti-virus or backup software may occupy the DAT file for a certain period of time. If the problem persists, restart the machine.
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