Tips to open GSD file

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

GSD file extension

File Name General Station Description Format
File Developer PROFIBUS & PROFINET International
File Category Text Files

The GSD file is supported on 1 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the GSD files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the GSD file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 4
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is GSD file?

The file with the extension GSD is the Text Files file type. The creator of this file is PROFIBUS & PROFINET International. Additionally, the Text Files category contains 440 of other files. General Station Description Format appears on 1 operating systems as a functional file. The file will work on Windows systems, unfortunately not on others. There are also 3 alternative programs to handle the GSD file. Text editor, Windows Notepad, NotePad++ text editor will apply when it is not possible to use ProfiTrace.

How to open GSD file?

The main problem with General Station Description Format is that the GSD file is incorrectly associated with programs. This is manifested by the fact that GSD 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 GSD 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 ProfiTrace

An often overlooked issue is to make sure that ProfiTrace is installed on the computer. The easiest method is to use the system search engine by entering the program name ProfiTrace in it. In the absence of an appropriate program, its installation in the vast majority of cases will fix the problem. Below is a list of programs that support the file GSD.

Step 2. Create association of ProfiTrace with GSD files

However, it may happen that the application itself does not cause the GSD file to open in the ProfiTrace application, but you can set it manually. It is most convenient to call the context menu with the right mouse button and select Properties. 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. Changes can be made using the "Change" button. 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 ProfiTrace application as the default for handling the GSD file.

Step 3. Update ProfiTrace to the latest version

If, however, after binding ProfiTrace with General Station Description Format there were still problems, you should update the program to the latest version.

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

Of course, it may happen that despite the above steps, the file still does not work. The most common file problems are:

Very often, the file may be size 0 or incomplete. This is most often caused by a problem while downloading the GSD file. Downloading the file again should fix the problem.
The operating system may be infected with a computer virus. A virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should fix the problem. Alternatively, you can use the scanners available online. However, it is important to scan the entire system, not only the file GSD or the program directory. Sometimes virus-infected GSD files cannot be recovered, so make a backup in advance.
This can happen especially when the program is dynamically developed and the structure of the GSD files changes over time. 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 option of recovering data from damaged GSD files.
When reading, a message appears that the file was encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted GSD files cannot be played on other computers than the one on which they were encrypted, they must be decrypted before using on another device.
Some of the system directories are excluded from modification. The problem is only writing to the file, not reading it. Copying the GSD file to another location will fix the problem.
This can happen on a file that does not support multiple access. 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 GSD to close. However, some background programs may block the GSD file while scanning. If the problem persists, restart the machine.