Tips to open SHN file

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

SHN file extension

File Name Shorten Compressed Audio Format
File Developer Shorten
File Category Audio Files

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

Operating systems
  • 4
  • 2
  • 2
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is SHN file?

The file with the extension SHN is the Audio Files file type. The author of this format is Shorten. Audio Files consists of 771 similar files. Shorten Compressed Audio Format appears on 3 operating systems as a functional file. These systems consist of Linux, Mac OS, Windows, although it may occasionally be found on another system, it will be non-functional. Alternatively, you can use 7 other programs. Winamp, Windows Media Player, Shorten, SUPER will apply when it is not possible to use Cog.

How to open SHN file?

The main problem with Shorten Compressed Audio Format is that the SHN file is incorrectly associated with programs. Thus, when you open SHN, 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 SHN 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 Cog

The first step is to check if the computer has the Cog program installed. This can be achieved by typing Cog into the operating system search engine. 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 SHN.

Step 2. Create association of Cog with SHN files

If the application is or has been freshly installed, but the SHN file still does not use the Cog program, it means no association. It is most convenient to call the context menu with the right mouse button and select Properties. The displayed window will contain information about the program that supports this type of file. Using the "Change" button we can set the program to handle this type. 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 SHN file with the Cog application.

Step 3. Update Cog to the latest version

The fault may also lie with the Cog program, it is possible that Shorten Compressed Audio Format requires a newer version of the program.

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

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

The affected file may be 0 KB or smaller than expected. This is most often caused by a problem while downloading the SHN file. Downloading the file again should fix the problem.
The operating system may be infected with a computer virus. A quick virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should clear up any doubts. If this is not possible, you can use the online scanner. For the best results, we will scan the entire operating system, not just our SHN file. Sometimes virus-infected SHN files cannot be recovered, so make a backup in advance.
Older version of SHN 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 this. The repair method must be adapted to the type of file and damage. Sometimes the program itself has options to repair the most popular SHN file corruption.
When reading, a message appears that the file was encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted SHN 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. These directories are write-protected to them and it's very hard to fix this problem. It is best to move SHN to a different directory.
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 it is necessary to wait a while before referencing the SHN file again. Antivirus programs or a backup being made may lock the file for a while without the user's knowledge. If the problem persists, restart the machine.