How to Open DAT Files

The format DAT is perhaps one of the biggest mysteries of Windows. What do these files in .DAT format refer to? Why do their icons appear blank? Why can't they simply be opened with a double click? What is their purpose?

It must be said that often i .dat files they should be left as they are because they contain important data for the functioning of a software or application. Without these files dat, these tools would not work properly. Other times, .dat files contain media files, email files, or other file types that Windows or certain software was unable to define for some reason. In these cases, .dat files can actually be opened.

Below we will see how to understand what a .dat file refers to and how to convert it if necessary.

What is a .dat file?

By default, .dat files are not associated with any particular program, and the information they contain is often binary, indecipherable data. However, if you want to open any DAT file, the easiest and most universal way is to use Block notes (or, preferably, a more advanced text editor like Notepadwhich displays the file information in a much clearer and tidier way).

The main indicator of a file .DAT which lets us understand which software it is connected to, is naturally found in its name and in the folder in which it is saved. In the following example you will be able to see, for example, a DAT file relating to a game and which contains “audio data” for the game itself. There is a reason why that dat file is in that position and should not be moved or modified.

If you try to open a .DAT file in Notepad (or Notepad++), you'll see something like this:

There's really nothing you can do with files like this. If you try to modify the contents of this DAT file you may ruin the software it is connected to. If what you see when opening a DAT file is something indecipherable then it's best to leave it alone.

In some cases it might even be unable to open a DAT file because it is a system file protected by Windows.

If, however, you don't understand where the DAT file comes from or what its purpose is, you can always run a scan on the file using an antivirus app. Because they are generic and do not open easily, .DAT files are also often used as a “hideout” for malware.

However, there are also some .DAT files that contain clear and easily readable information within them. For example, this file was opened in a folder for an old game and contains online account data for that game.

However, it is best not to tamper with it unless you know what you are doing.

Convert .DAT Files to Other Formats

In some cases, if you are sure you know the source of your DAT file (for example you know it is a video file), you can try open .DAT in other formats, such as audio or video. VCD files (which use the .mpg format), for example, are often stored in the .dat format (in this regard, also read how convert VCD (.dat) to AVI/MP4)

In these cases you can simply try right-clicking the .dat file, click Propertyand then replace “.dat” in its name with “.mpg” or whatever video format you think the original file was. We highly recommend doing this on a copy of the original .dat file first because it may corrupt the original file.

Once this replacement has been made, click OK and the .dat file will become a multimedia file that you can easily play with your favorite video/audio player.

Files with the “.dat” extension are often generic data or binary files that can be used by different applications or purposes. The specific nature of the .dat file can vary, and you may need to know what program or data type is associated with that file to open it correctly.

Another method to open and read a .dat file

Here are some steps you could follow to open a .dat file:

Method 1: Determine the .dat File Type

1. File Browsing:
   • First of all, try exploring the contents of the .dat file with a text editor or hex viewer. It may give you some indication of the type of data contained.
2. Verification of Origin:
   • Check where the .dat file comes from. If it is associated with a specific application, you may find information on the correct way to open it in that application's documentation.

Method 2: Use an Associate Program

1. File Association:
   • Select the .dat file in your operating system, right-click it, and look for an option like “Open with” or “Open with an application.” Select an application that may be able to open the file, such as a text editor or an application associated with the data type.
2. Try with Common Programs:
   • Some .dat files may be opened with more common programs. For example, some data files can be opened with Microsoft Excel, while others may be text files that can be read with a text editor.

Method 3: Use Third Party Programs

1. Conversion Tools:
   • If your .dat file contains structured data, you may be looking for online or offline conversion tools that can help you convert the file into a more readable or usable format.
2. App Specifications:
   • Some third-party applications are designed to open and manage different file types. You may want to look for a specific app that is known to work with .dat files.