Image
What is a .shw file?
A .shw file is a Harvard Graphics Show (version 2.0). This is an image format — a picture, drawing or graphic. Confusingly, this extension has been used by 5 different formats over the years — they're all listed below.
This extension has been used by more than one format
5 different formats have claimed .shw over the years, so two files with the same extension aren't necessarily the same kind of thing.
How to open a .shw file
- GIMP (free) and IrfanView open a very wide range of image formats, including obsolete ones.
- XnView MP is the best bet for unusual or legacy image types.
- Your operating system's built-in viewer may work for mainstream formats.
The registry records this extension against Harvard Graphics Show, WordPerfect Presentations, ETC Express/Expression Show File and others, so software from that family is the most likely match.
How to convert a .shw file
- Open it in GIMP or XnView and export as .png (lossless) or .jpg (smaller).
The technical record
For archivists, developers and the merely curious: these are the PRONOM registry entries for .shw.
| Format name | Version | MIME type | PUID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard Graphics Show | 2.0 | — | x-fmt/324 |
| WordPerfect Presentations | 2 | — | fmt/1837 |
| ETC Express/Expression Show File | — | — | fmt/1969 |
| Corel Presentation | 7-8-9 | — | fmt/877 |
| Corel Presentation | 3 | — | fmt/878 |