---
title: ".url file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .url file is an Internet Shortcut. A one-line text file holding a web address, which opens in your browser. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/url/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .url files

**.url file: Internet Shortcut**

A one-line text file holding a web address, which opens in your browser.

## What opens a .url file

- **Windows:** Windows (built in — double-click opens the link), Notepad (built in — to see the address)
- **macOS:** Any text editor (to read the address), Safari (paste the address)
- **Linux:** Any text editor (to read the address)

## What a .url file is

A .url file is a tiny INI-style text file whose URL= line points at a web page; double-clicking opens it in the default browser. Windows creates them when you drag a link from a browser to the desktop, and they are how bookmarks are exported from some tools. Because it is plain text you can open one in Notepad to see the destination before visiting it.

## Converting it

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

## Details

- **Extension:** .url
- **Full name:** Internet Shortcut
- **Category:** Data
- **Created by:** Microsoft
- **Format:** Plain text

## Common questions

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

On Windows use Windows (built in — double-click opens the link); on macOS use Any text editor (to read the address); on Linux use Any text editor (to read the address). A one-line text file holding a web address, which opens in your browser.

### What is a .url file?

Internet Shortcut. A .url file is a tiny INI-style text file whose URL= line points at a web page; double-clicking opens it in the default browser. Windows creates them when you drag a link from a browser to the desktop, and they are how bookmarks are exported from some tools.

### Can I convert a .url file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .txt, .html or .webloc, 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/)