File extension ESM
| File type | Elder Scrolls Master Format |
| Developer | Bethesda Softworks |
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What is a ESM file?
ESM document file contains game data for Elder Scrolls 4 and 5 (named Oblivion and Skyrim, respectively). ESM files shold key game data related to graphics and multimedia, such as texture data, audio tracks, audio effects, and videos.
Creation Kit (TESCS) utility allows editing of ESM files. It enables users to modify the game world and create game plugins. One of the game’s creators — Todd Howard — introduced this solution to encourage fans and players to contribute to the series future development.
Program(s) that can open the .ESM file
How to open ESM files
If you cannot open the ESM file on your computer - there may be several reasons. The first and most important reason (the most common) is the lack of a suitable software that supports ESM among those that are installed on your device.
A very simple way to solve this problem is to find and download the appropriate application. The first part of the task has already been done – the software supporting the ESM file can be found in the table. Now just download and install the appropriate application.
Possible problems with the ESM format files
The inability to open and operate the ESM file does not necessarily mean that you do not have an appropriate software installed on your computer. There may be other problems that also block our ability to operate the Elder Scrolls Master Format file. Below is a list of possible problems.
- Corruption of a ESM file which is being opened
- Incorrect links to the ESM file in registry entries.
- Accidental deletion of the description of the ESM from the Windows registry
- Incomplete installation of an application that supports the ESM format
- The ESM file which is being opened is infected with an undesirable malware.
- The computer does not have enough hardware resources to cope with the opening of the ESM file.
- Drivers of equipment used by the computer to open a ESM file are out of date.
If you are sure that all of these reasons do not exist in your case (or have already been eliminated), the ESM file should operate with your programs without any problem. If the problem with the ESM file has not been solved, it may be due to the fact that in this case there is also another rare problem with the ESM file. In this case, the only you can do is to ask for assistance of a professional staff.
Similar extensions
| .a26 | Atari 2600 ROM Image Format |
| .a52 | Atari 5200 Game Image Format |
| .acf | Microsoft Agent HTTP Character Format |
| .acx | Atari ST Program Format |
| .agb | Nintendo Game Boy Advance ROM Image |
| .age3scn | Age Of Empires III Scenario Format |
| .ain | ArcView Attribute Index Format |
| .alr | ADRIFT Language Resource Format |
How to associate the file with an installed software?
If you want to associate a file with a new program (e.g. my-file.ESM) you have two ways to do it. The first and the easiest one is to right-click on the selected ESM file. From the drop-down menu select "Choose default program", then click "Browse" and find the desired program. The whole operation must be confirmed by clicking OK. The second and more difficult to do is associate the ESM file extension to the corresponding software in the Windows Registry.
Is there one way to open unknown files?
Many files contain only simple text data. It is possible that while opening unknown files (e.g. ESM) with a simple text editor like Windows Notepad will allow us to see some of the data encoded in the file. This method allows you to preview the contents of many files, but probably not in such a structure as a program dedicated to support them.