Document
What is a .ini file?
An .ini file is a plain-text settings file. Programs read it at startup to remember your preferences. You can open one in any text editor and read it like a list of options.
Back up an .ini before editing it. A stray character can stop a program from starting.
How to open a .ini file
- WindowsNotepad
- WindowsNotepad++
- WindowsVS Code
- MacTextEdit
- MacVS Code
- Linuxnano, vim, gedit — anything
How to convert a .ini file
- No conversion needed — it's already text. Save as .txt if you just want to read it elsewhere.
- desktop.ini files on Windows are system-generated; leave them alone.
The technical record
For archivists, developers and the merely curious: these are the PRONOM registry entries for .ini.
| Format name | Version | MIME type | PUID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text Configuration file | — | — | x-fmt/421 |