File extension INF
| File type | Windows Installation Script Format |
| Developer | N/A |
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What is a INF file?
Files with the .INF extension contain configurational text data used by various types of apps during installation or updating. It points to types of files and sometimes their target location.
INF files are used by the Windows operating system, as well as application installers. They are used during installation of device drivers. Due to their risk of infection by viruses, they should not be opened manually, especially if they come from an unknown source.
Program(s) that can open the .INF file
Windows
Mac OS
More information about INF file
INF file format is used by so-called information files, in plain text format, and used in Windows systems for software, drivers, or update installation processes. INF file stores structured data related to files that should be copied, information about driver version, register entries to be added or modified, and various other information, such as creation date, version number, or author.
INF file data is stored in plain text format; INF file are used by device and Windows software installers. Data stored in INF file typically describes folder and installer files location.
Location of INF files
INF files are commonly included in installers and installation packages for Windows applications. INF file are also included in software update packages, and such INF file store default settings, device configs, and logs.
One of the most known INF file is Autorun.inf file stored on mass storage devices which defines which programs should be run after mounting the device. Windows systems older than Vista did not monitor such devices for viruses and therefore such INF files could be used as a malware infection vectors.
INF file structure
Structure of INF file is resembles closely that of INI file since both formats define actions divided into sections. Each INF features a [Version] section that contains Signature describing Windows version for which the INF file is dedicated. Other sections are mainly user-defined and store information related to defined components.
How to open INF files
If you cannot open the INF 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 INF 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 INF file can be found in the table. Now just download and install the appropriate application.
Possible problems with the INF format files
The inability to open and operate the INF 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 Windows Installation Script Format file. Below is a list of possible problems.
- Corruption of a INF file which is being opened
- Incorrect links to the INF file in registry entries.
- Accidental deletion of the description of the INF from the Windows registry
- Incomplete installation of an application that supports the INF format
- The INF 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 INF file.
- Drivers of equipment used by the computer to open a INF 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 INF file should operate with your programs without any problem. If the problem with the INF file has not been solved, it may be due to the fact that in this case there is also another rare problem with the INF file. In this case, the only you can do is to ask for assistance of a professional staff.
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How to associate the file with an installed software?
If you want to associate a file with a new program (e.g. my-file.INF) you have two ways to do it. The first and the easiest one is to right-click on the selected INF 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 INF 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. INF) 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.