It seems to me that if you are a PC user, it does not matter whether you are a beginner or more experienced, from time to time there will certainly arise questions that cannot be answered immediately.
For example, how to open dat, or how to run a program.
Of course, this is all a matter of experience, and over time such questions will appear less and less. But, perhaps, one should not be especially deceived, because in their place others, usually more complex and incomprehensible, are always ready to come.
Today I propose to talk about how to open the dat file, and also dwell on the format itself in more detail, telling in what cases we may encounter it, why it has just such a name, what it is connected with.
Section 1. How to open the dat file. Definition of a concept
In principle, the extension with the name “dat” is an abbreviation for the well-known English word “data”, which, contrary to popular belief, is not translated as “date” at all. This word means "data."
Those. we can conclude that this is a specially created file containing certain data. By the extension itself, we will not be able to guess what kind of information this document includes. It can be anything. The structure and type is determined only by the application, which for the correct operation needed to create a file of this particular type.
One thing is for sure: such files are service files and therefore are not intended for general viewing. An ordinary user does not have the right to change or modify it. How to open dat? This can only be done with the help of the program that once created this document.
Section 2. Where to start and how to open dat
To get started, try opening the file yourself, i.e. without the help of specialists or professional software:
- Try one of the recognized text editors. For example, Microsoft Word, Open Office, Adobe Reader.
- It often happens that it is impossible to open a file, but it is easily printed and the printer recognizes it. What does it give? After printing, read the information received. Perhaps this will let you know which program originally created the file in this format.
- There is some likelihood that this is a private video, so try to access it using all the video players on your computer.
- After all, why not use a regular Notepad? I agree that this application is primitive and we use it extremely rarely, but, as practice shows, very often this is what works.
Section 3. How to open dat. Change the format
You will most likely find a file of this format in applications received by e-mail. Why? To date, such extensions are not classified as common. Dat files in most cases are used only by programmers.
I would advise you to turn to the person from whom you received this document for help. He will probably tell you what program he used to create. Although sometimes there are situations when your interlocutor will be surprised and say that he just wanted to send a photo or plain text, intentionally not closing anything.
What to do in this case? And why did you get the information in such a strange way? Perhaps this is a virus? Do not worry! A dat file may have been generated during the process of delivering a message to you. Automatically. So it can be!
I have noticed more than once that for some strange reason, some email programs can automatically change the extension of the application file to dat. Thus, a person could actually send you a photo or image that has now turned into this kind of file.
First of all, save the document on your computer, and then try changing the file extension to JPG, GIF, PNG or any other format that is familiar to you or that you expect to see.
Well, for example, if the sender insists that he sent you a text document, change the format to DOC, etc.
Can't change the file extension? There is nothing complicated!
- Go to "My Computer", click "Service", and then "Properties".
- Click on the “View” tab.
- Scroll down to the option “Hide extensions for registered file types”.
- Uncheck. Are you done? Now you can see the file extension and change it to something else.
- Just click on the file and change its extension to the desired format. Please note that the file icon should also change.
But what if you are not sure which program to prefer? Try clicking on the file and select "Open with." The computer itself will offer you several options to choose from.
If the above does not work out, and you still do not know how to open the dat, try one of the professional programs. As a rule, specialists most often use Corel WordPerfect, Microsoft Visual Studio, Nero ShowTime, Nullsoft Winamp, Ontrack EasyRecovery, Runtime GetDataBack or SoftVelocity Clarion.