Tips to open SWP file

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

SWP file extension

File Name Vi Swap Format
File Developer Bill Joy
File Category Misc Files

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

Operating systems
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is SWP file?

The file in the SWP format belongs to the Misc Files category. The author of this format is Bill Joy. In addition to this file, the Misc Files category includes 6033 related files. Vi Swap Format is most often found on 3 operating systems. Although it can be found with greater or lesser success on any operating system, it will only be useful on Linux, Mac OS, Windows. This file type can also be opened by 8 other programs. The gVim, Microsoft Windows, Vim, Mac OS X programs will also handle the file when the MacVim program does not fulfill its role.

How to open SWP file?

An often recurring problem with Vi Swap Format is that SWP is not associated with the correct program file. This causes the file SWP to open by system applications not designed for this purpose, or to display a message that there is no associated program. This problem can be easily remedied.

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the SWP 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 MacVim

The first step is to check if the computer has the MacVim program installed. To do this, enter the name MacVim into the system search engine. If it is not, installation may solve the problem, as most applications create file associations during installation. Later in this article you will find a list of programs that can open SWP files.

Step 2. Create association of MacVim with SWP files

However, it may happen that the application itself does not cause the SWP file to open in the MacVim application, but you can set it manually. 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 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. Checking the "Always use the selected program ..." box will permanently associate the SWP file with the MacVim program.

Step 3. Update MacVim to the latest version

The fault may also lie with the MacVim program, it is possible that Vi Swap Format requires a newer version of the program.

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

The problem may also be with the file itself if the above steps don't work. This could be due to the file itself, the cleanest issues are:

The SWP file may be unusually small compared to the original file. Usually this applies to SWP files downloaded from the Internet in case the download did not finish properly. The file should be downloaded again, making sure that the process has finished correctly.
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. Alternatively, you can use the scanners available online. The scan should cover the entire computer, not only the SWP file that we want to open. As a result of the scan, sometimes it is not possible to recover SWP 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 SWP file. 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. Repairing is very dependent on the file type. Some programs offer the option of recovering data from damaged SWP files.
When reading, a message appears that the file was encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted SWP 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.
The operating system protects files in some locations (e.g. the root of the system partition) against unauthorized access. While there is usually no problem reading such a file, it may not be possible to save it. Copying the SWP file to another location will fix the problem.
This problem usually affects more complex files. In this case, the SWP 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. 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.