---
title: ".ini file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .ini file is an Initialisation / Configuration File. A simple text config format of [sections] and key=value lines. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/ini/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .ini files

**.ini file: Initialisation / Configuration File**

A simple text config format of [sections] and key=value lines.

## What opens a .ini file

- **Windows:** Notepad (built in), Visual Studio Code, Notepad++
- **macOS:** TextEdit (built in), Visual Studio Code
- **Linux:** Text Editor (built in), Visual Studio Code, nano

## What a .ini file is

INI files date from early Windows and remain a common way for programs to store settings, with sections in square brackets and plain key=value pairs beneath. They are plain text, so Notepad or any editor opens one. Editing an application's INI while it is running usually gets your changes overwritten on exit, so close the program first, and keep a copy before you change anything.

## Converting it

A .ini file is commonly converted to .toml, .json or .txt. It is a plain text format, so any text editor can open and edit it directly.

## Details

- **Extension:** .ini
- **Full name:** Initialisation / Configuration File
- **Category:** Data
- **MIME type:** text/plain
- **Created by:** Microsoft (convention)
- **Format:** Plain text

## Common questions

### How do I open a .ini file?

On Windows use Notepad (built in); on macOS use TextEdit (built in); on Linux use Text Editor (built in). A simple text config format of [sections] and key=value lines.

### What is a .ini file?

Initialisation / Configuration File. INI files date from early Windows and remain a common way for programs to store settings, with sections in square brackets and plain key=value pairs beneath. They are plain text, so Notepad or any editor opens one.

### Can I convert a .ini file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .toml, .json or .txt, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.csv — Comma-Separated Values](https://atoneplace.net/file/csv/)
- [.json — JavaScript Object Notation](https://atoneplace.net/file/json/)
- [.xml — Extensible Markup Language](https://atoneplace.net/file/xml/)
- [.yaml — YAML Data File](https://atoneplace.net/file/yaml/)
- [.log — Log File](https://atoneplace.net/file/log/)
- [.torrent — BitTorrent Metainfo File](https://atoneplace.net/file/torrent/)
- [.dat — Generic Data File](https://atoneplace.net/file/dat/)
- [.vcf — vCard Contact File](https://atoneplace.net/file/vcf/)
- [.sql — SQL Script](https://atoneplace.net/file/sql/)
- [.ics — iCalendar Event](https://atoneplace.net/file/ics/)
- [.sqlite — SQLite Database](https://atoneplace.net/file/sqlite/)
- [.db — Generic Database File](https://atoneplace.net/file/db/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)