How to find the right application for your file?


👤 Diwas Poudel    🕒 23 Dec 2022    📁 TECH

Introduction

Have you ever downloaded a file from a website that does not work? When you try to open the file, your computer does not recognize it. Then asks you to search for an application that can run that file. If you have ever faced such a situation, then let's see how to deal with it.

What is application software?

The application that the computer, refers to is Application software. It is the software that is developed to perform a specific task.  Application software makes use of the extension of the file. One example of application software is a media player. Media payers are used for playing media files such as music, movies, etc.

What is the extension of the file?

The file extension is the suffix to the name of the file in a computer, which indicates the file content. Extensions are usually three to four characters long. For example, word documents usually have an extension such as .docx or doc.

Ways to get the proper application  

For Windows 

One of the best ways to get your desired file working is to look for applications that can run the file online.

Most of the time when your computer does not have the required application to run the file. It will respond like this.

Unable to Open app popup
fig. Unable to Open app popup

This means that your computer does not have any applications that can run that file. We can also say that none of the applications on your computer uses the file with that extension.

So the first thing you need to do is to check the extension of the file.

Also read:  How can I manually and locally install a Chrome extension?

View the extension of the file

Sometimes the extension of the file by default is hidden in windows. One of the easiest ways to get to view the extension is by using window explorer.

  1. First, open the window explorer and go to the topmost bar. There you will see the view option. Click on it
Click on View in FileExplorer
fig. Click on View in FileExplorer
  1. Then click on the view extensions option at the end of the menu.
checkon Filename extension checkbox
fig. checkon Filename extension checkbox
📚 Note: It might be a little different for other versions of windows.  

Finding an application for the file 

In the store

When your PC says, there is no application that runs the file with the given extension. You will also be given the option to look for a similar application in the Microsoft store.

Look for similar application in microsoft store
fig. Look for a similar application in the Microsoft store

Then click on the option to look for an application on the Microsoft store. There you may get tons of applications that use that kind of file.

Choose application in microsoft store
fig. Choose an application in the Microsoft store

But the Same may not be true in all cases. Sometimes your required application may not be available in the Microsoft store. In such cases, you need to look online for different applications. Before installing any application, be sure to read the review. Also, observe the rating, so you won't have to switch to another if that application doesn't work.

On the web

When you can't find the right application in the store. Then search for the application that uses the extension of the file. You will get applications that run that file. Then you need to download and install that application in your system in order to get your file working. 

For Linux

Linux file system differs from the window file system in many ways. A similar approach can be taken as above. 

Many Linux distributions have similar software stores as the Microsoft store to browse packages. Pop Os has a store called Pop shop, Ubuntu has Ubuntu Software Center. And if no software is available in the store. You can search for the application that uses the extension of the file. In the Linux file system, the extension of the file is shown by default, which is the keywords after a period(.) in the filename.

Also read: Top real-world application written in C++

Conclusion

Windows system and Linux systems may differ in many ways. But approaches taken for both systems, in this case, are similar. If you are not sure about the right application for your file, then try reading blogs and reviews about the application that you want to try. It helps a lot and saves a lot of time. Such blogs and contents are also available on this website too. So be sure to check it out.

Article by: Prashant Raj Bista