Tips to open MSM file
Can't open the MSM file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open MSM files as well as a list of programs that support MSM files.
MSM file extension
| File Name |
Windows Installer Merge Module |
| File Developer |
Microsoft |
| File Category |
Settings Files |
The MSM file is supported on 1 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the MSM files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the MSM file on each system platform.
What is MSM file?
The MSM file has been categorized as Settings Files. The creator of this file is Microsoft. In addition to this file, the Settings Files category includes 1305 related files. Windows Installer Merge Module appears on 1 operating systems as a functional file. These systems consist of Windows, although it may occasionally be found on another system, it will be non-functional. The main program that supports this format is Microsoft Visual Studio. This was created by Microsoft Corporation. This file type can also be opened by 1 other programs. Windows Installer XML will apply when it is not possible to use Microsoft Visual Studio.
How to open MSM file?
The most common problem when using Windows Installer Merge Module is that a specific MSM is not associated with the program. Thus, when you open MSM, the program selection wizard or some other program starts. This can be quickly resolved by following the instructions below.
The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the MSM 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 Visual Studio
In this case, you should first verify that the Microsoft Visual Studio application is installed on the computer. The easiest method is to use the system search engine by entering the program name Microsoft Visual Studio 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 MSM files.
Programs to open MSM file
Remember to download programs supporting MSM files only from verified and safe sources. We suggest using the websites of software developers.
Step 2. Create association of Microsoft Visual Studio with MSM files
If the application is or has been freshly installed, but the MSM file still does not use the Microsoft Visual Studio 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. 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. However, it is important to check the "Always use the selected program ..." box, this will allow you to permanently associate the MSM file with the Microsoft Visual Studio application.
Step 3. Update Microsoft Visual Studio to the latest version
If, despite the association of the Microsoft Visual Studio program with the Windows Installer Merge Module 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 MSM 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. This suggests truncating the MSM file contents when downloading or copying. The file should be downloaded again, making sure that the process has finished correctly.
The most common cause here is computer viruses. A virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should fix the problem. Some antivirus vendors also provide free online scanners. For the best results, we will scan the entire operating system, not just our MSM file. As a result of the scan, sometimes it is not possible to recover MSM files, which are deleted if there is a backup of this file, then after restoring it, it must also be scanned.
A typical compatibility error - the program does not support the older version of the MSM file. These problems are known and are often very easy to fix using the software developers's website.
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 option of recovering data from damaged MSM files. You can restore the file from a backup or use Microsoft help.
The program can also signal the fact of encryption. The encrypted MSM 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. These directories are write-protected to them and it's very hard to fix this problem. It is best to move MSM to a different directory.
This problem only occurs with more complex files. In this case, the MSM file is blocked by the first application to open it. Just close unnecessary programs. If the error persists after closing other programs, wait for a while. Some anti-virus or backup software may occupy the MSM file for a certain period of time. If the problem persists, restart the machine.
Was this page helpful? YesNo
