How to open a DAT file in Windows 10

Any file used to store data with the .dat extension is considered a DAT file. It can contain many different formats, but most commonly it is just plain text. However, since there is more than one type of file, there is no shortage of programs you can use to open them.

First, you need to determine whether it is video-based or text-based to figure out how to open a DAT file. This can be tricky since there is nothing in the file that reveals its format from the beginning. One way to do this is by using a code reading program that seems complicated at first, but is quite simple. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common tools you can use to open and convert .DAT files differently.

What is a DAT file?

Generic data files with DAT extension are intended to store important information related to the program that created them. Most of the time, they come bundled with DLLs and other configuration files. They are mostly hidden in data directories, but sometimes you can get one as an email attachment.

Each type of DAT file is created and managed by different software. The data is then used as a model for various system tasks. Because it’s difficult to tell whether a DAT file includes images, videos, text, or software configuration files, there is no single way to open them. You will have to use a different program each time.

For text-based DAT files, Windows 10 has a built-in text editor: Notepad++. Of course, you are not limited to using a pre-installed program. There are many alternative solutions that you can download to your PC for free or even use online.

However, most devices and programs, including iOS and Android, iTunes, iMovie, and Windows Media Player, do not No Support DAT video files. Instead, you should use a video player that supports DAT files explicitly if you want to play them without any problems.

How to open a DAT file using a text editor

Typically, DAT files are text-based and can be read using a code editing computer program. Windows Notepad++ is an obvious solution since it is already installed on your PC. This is how you can open DAT files using the Windows 10 text editor:

1. Locate the DAT file on your computer.
2. Highlight the file with the cursor. Right click to open the dropdown menu.
   
3. Click “Open with” to access a list of recommended programs.
   
4. Select “Notepad++” in the options panel.
   

If it does not open and instead a new window appears with the word “NUL” written all over it, the DAT file is not text-based. You will have to try another program.

Windows 10 supports a wide range of third-party text editors that you can download for free. Although Notepad++ is quite solid, it is not immune to failures. If you believe that the DAT file is text-based but it still doesn’t open, try using one of the following alternatives:

• Atom
• VS code
• Push
• Blue Fish
• Komodo Edit

All of these present a solid alternative to Notepad++ when it comes to handling DAT files.

How to open Winmail.dat files

Email servers sometimes translate emails to DAT format automatically. This is especially the case with Microsoft Outlook. If you receive an Outlook message but do not have it installed on your PC, you will receive an attached winmail.dat file. You will not be able to open the entire email without using a third-party website.

Winmaildat.com is an online service created in response to Outlook configuration problems. You can access it with any browser and use it to open the DAT email attachment. The online tool will show you what the file contains and allow you to convert and download the data. It only takes a few seconds and is quite simple:

1. Download the email attachment to your local drive.
2. Open your preferred browser.
   
3. Navigate to the search bar at the top of the screen and type Winmaildat.com.
   
4. Move the cursor to the “Choose File” tab and click on it.
   
5. A new window will appear. Browse your PC and locate the DAT file.
   
6. Click the file and then “Open” to upload it.
   
7. Press the blue “Start” button. Wait a few seconds for Winmaildat.com to process the file.
   
8. Once you’re done, you’ll see the content of the email on the “Result” page. Click on the file you want to download to your PC.
   

How to open DAT files in Excel

If you are sure that a particular DAT file contains plain text, you can view it in an Excel spreadsheet. For example, if a work email arrived in the form of a DAT attachment, feel free to open it with the Microsoft Office program. The process is quite similar to uploading other types of files, with one small difference. This is what you should do:

1. Start Excel. If it’s not pinned to your taskbar, you can use the search bar in the bottom left corner of the screen.
2. Open a new workbook and click the “Files” tab in the upper left corner of the screen.
   
3. A new window will appear. Select “Open” in the left side panel.
   
4. Click “Browse” in the list of options. Open the folder with the DAT file.
   
5. To view it, click on the tab in the lower right corner of the screen. Select “All Files” from the drop-down list. Click “Open.”
   
6. A pop-up box will appear. To complete the process, click “Next” when prompted and then “Finish.”

How to open video DAT files

In most cases, video-based DAT files originate from video editing software, so you can usually open them with one. For example, if you have CyberLink PowerDirector installed, it is certain that that is where the file was created, especially if it is stored in an adjacent directory. However, if you can’t figure out where the file comes from, you can try your luck with a regular video player.

As mentioned, Windows 10 does not have a built-in video player that supports DAT files. While Windows Media Player is a reliable playback tool, it is limited to the most common formats. You can download a third-party application like VLC Player and use it to play DAT files. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open your chosen browser and go to this website.
2. Click the orange “Download” button to get the player.
   
3. Once you install it, locate the DAT file on your PC. Right click on it to open a list of recommended actions.
   
4. Click “Open with” and then select VLC player from the list.
   

You will be able to open the file, but keep in mind that most DAT files are just computer code. It doesn’t make much sense to open it with a video player.

How to convert DAT files

If you have a preferred program, you can use a file converter to change the DAT file to the corresponding format. Of course, the steps vary depending on the type.

There are several online tools you can use to do this. We already mentioned Winmail.dat that helps you decode broken Outlook messages.

If you want to change a video-based DAT file to an MP4 format, it is more convenient to download a desktop program. For Windows 10, one of the most popular solutions is Win FF. It is completely free to download and is very easy to use. Here’s how to use it:

1. Using your preferred browser, download the program from this website.
   
2. Locate the DAT file on your computer. Right click on it and select “Rename”.
   
3. Change the extension from .dat to .MP4 or another preferred format.
   
4. Click Win FF to start the program.
   
5. In the toolbar above, click the “+Add” button. Find the DAT file and open it.
   
6. Click “Convert to” and set it to MP4.
   
7. You can adjust quality settings and other features if you want. Press “Convert” once you’re done.
   

If the file is used to store configuration data, it is not necessary to convert it to another format. Also, keep in mind that sometimes converting a DAT file can make it unusable in the program that created it.

The task is not easy for DAT

In most cases, DAT files contain configuration data that is used by the Windows operating system to execute particular tasks. Other times it is simply plain text. Either way, you can use Notepad++ to open them. If you don’t like the built-in text editor, you can turn to third-party websites and applications.

When it comes to video-based DAT files, you don’t have the option of using a pre-installed program. Instead, download a third-party video player or consider converting the file to a format supported by Windows Media Player.

Lastly, Microsoft Outlook has a particular problem converting normal email attachments to DAT files. If that happens, there is a custom online solution on the Winmail.dat website.

Have you ever converted a DAT file? What is your favorite text editor? Comment below and tell us if there is a way to know what type of information a particular DAT file contains.