Tips to open MCL file

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

MCL file extension

File Name Windows Media Center Link Format
File Developer Microsoft
File Category Settings Files

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

Operating systems
  • 2
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is MCL file?

The file in the MCL format belongs to the Settings Files category. It was designed by Microsoft. Settings Files consists of 1305 similar files. Windows Media Center Link Format is most often found on 1 operating systems. These systems consist of Windows, although it may occasionally be found on another system, it will be non-functional. It is recommended to use Windows Media Center to handle this file. This is a program created by Microsoft Corporation. Alternatively, you can use 1 other programs. Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition will apply when it is not possible to use Windows Media Center.

How to open MCL file?

The most common problem when using Windows Media Center Link Format is that a specific MCL is not associated with the program. This is manifested by the fact that MCL files open in unusual applications or do not have an assigned program. How to solve such a problem?

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the MCL 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 Windows Media Center

In this case, you should first verify that the Windows Media Center application is installed on the computer. To do this, enter the name Windows Media Center 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 MCL files.

Step 2. Create association of Windows Media Center with MCL files

If, despite the installed application, the MCL file does not start in the Windows Media Center 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. Using the "Change" button we can select the desired program. 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 MCL file with the Windows Media Center application.

Step 3. Update Windows Media Center to the latest version

If, despite the association of the Windows Media Center program with the Windows Media Center Link Format file, the file still does not open, check the program version and possibly update it to the newest version. This can be done using the application (if it provides such options) or from the Microsoft Corporation website and install the latest version.

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

If the above steps do not help, you can assume that the file itself is not correct. The most common file problems are:

The affected file may be 0 KB or smaller than expected. This suggests truncating the MCL file contents when downloading or copying. The only repair option is to download the file again.
The most common cause here is computer viruses. A quick virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should clear up any doubts. Alternatively, you can use the scanners available online. For the best results, we will scan the entire operating system, not just our MCL file. As a result of the scan, sometimes it is not possible to recover MCL files, which are deleted if there is a backup of this file, then after restoring it, it must also be scanned.
Older version of MCL file may not always be supported by the latest software version. 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 the failure. The repair method must be adapted to the type of file and damage. Some programs offer the ability to automatically repair MCL file corruption. The easiest way is to restore the file from a backup, if there is one, or contact Microsoft
The program indicates that the file is encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted MCL 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 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 MCL file to another location will fix the problem.
This can happen on a file that does not support multiple access. Some file types can only be opened in one program at a time. Running programs (including those in the background) should be verified. If the error persists after closing other programs, wait for a while. However, some background programs may block the MCL file while scanning. If the problem persists, restart the machine.