Tips to open INI file

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

INI file extension

File Name Windows Initialization Format
File Category Settings Files

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

Operating systems
  • 6
  • 1
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is INI file?

The .INI file is a text file. It is a kind of configuration file. The file contains the names of parameters and their values with which the program is to be started. Ultimately, the technology was to stop being supported starting from Microsoft Windows 95. Initially, an attempt was made to write the startup options in the registry. Currently, however, .XML files are used, which does not change the fact that .INI files are still common and used by various applications to handle options.

How to open INI file?

An often recurring problem with Windows Initialization Format is that INI is not associated with the correct program file. This causes the file INI 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 INI 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 Parallels Desktop

In this case, you should first verify that the Parallels Desktop application is installed on the computer. The easiest method is to use the system search engine by entering the program name Parallels Desktop in it. If it is not, installation may solve the problem, as most applications create file associations during installation. Below you will find a list of applications that support INI files.

Step 2. Create association of Parallels Desktop with INI files

If, despite the installed application, the INI file does not start in the Parallels Desktop 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. If there is no software on the list, simply select "Browse" and manually select the directory where the application is installed. Checking the "Always use the selected program ..." box will permanently associate the INI file with the Parallels Desktop program.

Step 3. Update Parallels Desktop to the latest version

The fault may also lie with the Parallels Desktop program, it is possible that Windows Initialization Format requires a newer version of the program.

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

Of course, it may happen that despite the above steps, the file still does not work. File problems can be divided into the following:

Very often, the file may be size 0 or incomplete. This suggests truncating the INI 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. 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 INI or the program directory. As a result of the scan, sometimes it is not possible to recover INI 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 INI 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.
The file may be corrupted in a number of ways. The repair method must be adapted to the type of file and damage. Some programs offer the option of recovering data from damaged INI files.
The program can also signal the fact of encryption. The encrypted INI 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 of the system directories are excluded from modification. The problem is only writing to the file, not reading it. Copying the INI file to another location will fix the problem.
This problem usually affects more complex files. In this case, the INI 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. 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.