Tips to open DAT_OLD file

Can't open the DAT_OLD 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_OLD files as well as a list of programs that support DAT_OLD files.

DAT_OLD file extension

File Name Minecraft Level.dat Backup Format
File Developer Mojang
File Category Game Files

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

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

What is DAT_OLD file?

The file with the extension DAT_OLD is the Game Files file type. The creator of this file is Mojang. In addition to this file, the Game Files category includes 1509 related files. Minecraft Level.dat Backup Format is supported by 3 operating systems. Although it can be found with greater or lesser success on any operating system, it will only be useful on Linux, Mac OS, Windows. The Minecraft application is recommended to open the file. It was released by Markus Persson. This file type can also be opened by 2 other programs.

How to open DAT_OLD file?

An often recurring problem with Minecraft Level.dat Backup Format is that DAT_OLD is not associated with the correct program file. This is manifested by the fact that DAT_OLD files open in unusual applications or do not have an assigned program. This can be quickly resolved by following the instructions below.

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the DAT_OLD 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 Minecraft

The first step is to check if the computer has the Minecraft program installed. To do this, enter the name Minecraft into the system search engine. 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 DAT_OLD files.

Programs to open DAT_OLD file

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

Step 2. Create association of Minecraft with DAT_OLD files

If the application is or has been freshly installed, but the DAT_OLD file still does not use the Minecraft program, it means no association. This option is available from the level of Properties of a specific file available in the context menu. Information about the file and the program that the file is associated with are available here. 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. However, it is important to check the "Always use the selected program ..." box, this will allow you to permanently associate the DAT_OLD file with the Minecraft application.

Step 3. Update Minecraft to the latest version

The fault may also lie with the Minecraft program, it is possible that Minecraft Level.dat Backup Format requires a newer version of the program. In this case, use the Markus Persson website or update the program from the application.

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

If the above steps do not help, you can assume that the file itself is not correct. This could be due to the file itself, the cleanest issues are:

The affected file may be 0 KB or smaller than expected. Usually this applies to DAT_OLD files downloaded from the Internet in case the download did not finish properly. 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. 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 DAT_OLD file. As a result of the scan, sometimes it is not possible to recover DAT_OLD files, which are deleted if there is a backup of this file, then after restoring it, it must also be scanned.
This can happen especially when the program is dynamically developed and the structure of the DAT_OLD files changes over time. 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 this. Depending on the type of file, it is necessary to repair it accordingly. Some programs offer the ability to automatically repair DAT_OLD file corruption. The easiest way is to restore the file from a backup, if there is one, or contact Mojang
The program indicates that the file is encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted file DAT_OLD 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. If possible, you can try to move the DAT_OLD 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. Closing other programs should help. If the error persists after closing other programs, wait for a while. Antivirus programs or a backup being made may lock the file for a while without the user's knowledge. If this does not work either, restart the device.