Did your computer fail to open a FILE file? We explain what FILE files are and recommend software that we know can open or convert your FILE files.
What is a FILE file?
The .file file extension is a generic extension. This is assigned by Windows and other applications when the file is in an unknown format. These Web applications that designate the .file extension to files in unknown file types are usually Web tools like Internet browsers, FTP client programs, download management applications, email clients and so on. The data stored in these .file files remains unchanged from what it initially contained when it was in its original format. This means a .mp3 file that has been changed to a .file file still contains the same audio data.
To open these .file files, the user must know the original format of the files. The user just needs to simply change the .file extension to the extension of its original file format. To know the original format of a .file file, one option is to look at the default icon that's designated by Windows for the file. For example, if the default icon that's assigned by Windows to a .file is the icon that's normally used for documents in plain TXT format, then the original format of the .file file may be .txt, and after changing the .file extension to .txt, a text editing program like Notepad can be used to open the file.Users are advised to be careful with .file files that have been downloaded from unverified sources on the Internet, or attached to emails from strangers. It's best to run a scan on these .file files before trying to open them.
Randy G. finds Windows 8's search tools a bit confusing. I offer some suggestions.
Windows 8 may have the greatest learning curve of any Microsoft operating system. Fortunately, it generally offers at least two ways to do a particular chore. I'll give you search techniques for both the Modern Interface (also known as Metro, although I prefer calling it the flat, ugly interface--FUI) and the Desktop (AKA, Windows 7 without the Start button).
[Email your tech questions to [email protected] or post them on the PCW Answer Line forum.]
The Modern Interface
At the Start screen, just type your search word. A panel will appear on the right side of the screen, listing how many matches it found in different categories.
By default, most of the screen will display the results for the top category, Apps (which also includes old-fashioned Windows programs).
If you're looking for a file, and the word you typed doesn't happen to be the name of an installed program, the search will appear to come up empty. But check the Files listing in the right-hand panel, and hopefully it will display a number higher than 0. Click Files to see the files containing that word.
The Desktop
This looks so much like Windows 7, you'd think you could just click the Start button, type a word or phrase, and wait for a list of appropriate programs and files. But there's no Start button to push.
So you must use different techniques to search for a program or a file.
To find a program, press WINKEY-r, type the program name, and press ENTER. This doesn't always work. If it doesn't, you'll have to use the Modern interface technique described above.
You can look for files in File Explorer, which you can always start by clicking the folder icon on the taskbar. Once there, navigate to the folder or you want to search. File Explorer's default location, Libraries, will contain everything in your Documents, Photos, Video, and Music folders.
Click the Search field on the right, directly below the ribbon, and type the word or phrase you're searching for.
You can narrow your search with the various options in the ribbon's Search tab, which appears after you've done the initial search.
Since 2005, Microsoft has offered both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of its Windows operating system. If you're running a 64-bit version of Microsoft Windows, you will notice that there are two separate folders where your Program Files are kept:
So what's the difference?
64-bit applications have been compiled specifically for use on a 64-bit computer. They make use of system features specific to a 64-bit architecture, and they access 64-bit versions of the Windows software libraries.
32-bit applications are legacy applications or modern programs that have been compiled for 32-bit processing. 64-bit versions of Windows can still run these programs, though, using a compatibility layer called WoW64 (which stands for Windows32 on Windows64).
Is it bad to run a 32-bit program on 64-bit Windows?
Not at all. The WoW64 layer does a good job of emulating a 32-bit environment, and any performance loss is generally not noticeable. The emulated programs may actually have an advantage, because WoW64 can allocate the maximum amount of RAM (4 GB) to the application. On a real 32-bit system, some of that RAM would be allocated to the operating system kernel and other running programs.
So, why are 64-bit and 32-bit programs kept in separate folders?
Several reasons:
Why is the 32-bit folder called '(x86)'?
x86 is another way to refer to 32-bit processors. Originally, 16-bit processors — specifically, the 8086 and 8088 processor architectures — were referred to as 'x86'. This name was later extended to include the 32-bit 80386 and 80486 processor family. When 64-bit processors were introduced, they were referred to as x64 to distinguish them from the older processor lines.
If I manually move programs from one folder to the other, will they still work?
In theory, there's no reason why a 32-bit program won't work if you manually install it to your Program Files folder, and vice versa — 64-bit programs should work fine if you install them to the Program Files (x86) folder. It's a better idea to leave them right where Windows wants them, however.
Tip
If you're having trouble locating a program in the Program Files folder, try looking in the Program Files (x86) folder as well.
Additional information
Under Windows, most applications and application data are stored in a special directory known as Kaz Wolfe
C:Program Files (and occasionally C:Program Files (x86) ). What is the Ubuntu/Linux equivalent to this path? Is there even one?
26.7k1313 gold badges8484 silver badges139139 bronze badges
user11154
10 Answers/bin and /usr/bin is where the scripts are that start the programs. The direct equivalent of 'Program Files' though is probably /usr/share . That directory contains the various support files for most programs.
There probably isn't a direct equivalent however, since, for example, library files are shared across the system (in
/lib ) and options are either user specified (in the user's home directory) or universally located in /etc .
So installing a program via a deb file, repository or build will likely place files in all of these locations.
[EDIT] And as others note, there is also ScaineScaine
/sbin and /usr/sbin . Plus /usr/local/bin , /opt/bin and even /usr/games/ . So definitely not a direct comparison to c:program files !
9,19955 gold badges3737 silver badges5454 bronze badges
Read my answer below for more info on what the
PATH environment variable is, what .desktop files are, and how to find a specific program using various linux commands.
Original answer:
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |