Tips to open HTA file

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

HTA file extension

File Name HTML Application
File Developer Microsoft
File Category Executable Files

The HTA file is supported on 2 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the HTA files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the HTA file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 5
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is HTA file?

The file with the extension HTA is the Executable Files file type. It was designed by Microsoft. In addition to this file, the Executable Files category includes 140 related files. HTML Application is supported by 2 operating systems. These systems consist of Mac OS, Windows, although it may occasionally be found on another system, it will be non-functional. The main program that supports this format is Microsoft Internet Explorer. This was created by Microsoft Corporation. This file type can also be opened by 5 other programs. You can use Microsoft Windows, Adobe Dreamweaver, Microsoft HTML Application Host, Adobe ExtendScript in case Microsoft Internet Explorer cannot be used.

How to open HTA file?

An often recurring problem with HTML Application is that HTA is not associated with the correct program file. This causes the file HTA to open by system applications not designed for this purpose, or to display a message that there is no associated program. How to solve such a problem?

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the HTA 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 Microsoft Internet Explorer

The first step is to check if the computer has the Microsoft Internet Explorer program installed. To do this, enter the name Microsoft Internet Explorer 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 HTA files.

Step 2. Create association of Microsoft Internet Explorer with HTA files

If, despite the installed application, the HTA file does not start in the Microsoft Internet Explorer application, you must create a file association. 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. 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 HTA file with the Microsoft Internet Explorer application.

Step 3. Update Microsoft Internet Explorer to the latest version

If, despite the association of the Microsoft Internet Explorer program with the HTML Application file, the file still does not open, check the program version and possibly update it to the newest version. Some applications allow you to update from the program level, and for others you need to download the installer from the Microsoft Corporation page and install.

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

Of course, it may happen that despite the above steps, the file still does not work. This could be due to the file itself, the cleanest issues are:

Very often, the file may be size 0 or incomplete. This suggests truncating the HTA file contents when downloading or copying. The only repair option is to download the file again.
The most common cause here is computer viruses. Perform a virus scan using available and up-to-date anti-virus software. Alternatively, you can use the scanners available online. However, it is important to scan the entire system, not only the file HTA or the program directory. However, remember that not every infected HTA file can be recovered, so it is important to take care of regular backups.
This can happen especially when the program is dynamically developed and the structure of the HTA 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. Repairing is very dependent on the file type. Sometimes the program itself has options to repair the most popular HTA file corruption. You can restore the file from a backup or use Microsoft help.
When reading, a message appears that the file was encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted file HTA 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.
Some operating systems do not allow file operations in certain locations, eg in system directories or directly on the system drive. These directories are write-protected to them and it's very hard to fix this problem. If possible, you can try to move the HTA file to another location.
This problem only occurs with more complex files. Some file types can only be opened in one program at a time. Closing other programs should help. Sometimes you have to wait for the session to the file HTA to close. However, some background programs may block the HTA file while scanning. If nothing helps, please reset the device.