How to open PLIST file?
After double-clicking on the unknown file icon, the system should open it in the default software that supports it. If this does not happen, download and install the Apple Property List Editor software and then manually associate the file with it.
Step 1. Download and install Apple Property List Editor
If there is no Apple Property List Editor or similar software in the system that supports files with the PLIST extension, you must first download and install it. Below you will find a list of the most-used applications that work with PLIST. After going to the subpage of the program you will find a link to the developer's website, where you can safely download the software installer.
Step 2. Associate Apple Property List Editor with the PLIST file extension
If the user already has one of the applications installed, the next step will be to associate it with the file extension PLIST. This can be done in two ways - one is to manually edit the Windows Registry and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT keys. The second way is simpler and definitely recommended for less advanced users.
- Right click on the unknown PLIST file you want to open
- Select "Open with" from the menu
- Click "Choose another application"
- Click "More applications"
- Click "Find more applications on this PC" and indicate the installation location of the appropriate program
- Finally, select the "Always use the selected program to open PLIST files" option and confirm the whole operation.
Remember! Manually editing the system registry is only recommended for advanced users, and changes made to it without proper knowledge may result in damage to the system.
Step 3. Check out other possible problems related to PLIST files.
Sometimes it happens that despite having the right application and the correct configuration, there are still problems with opening the PLIST files. You should then find out what is the reason of the problem.
- Check if the PLIST file is not infected - When the file PLIST is infected with a virus or malware, it probably will not be able to be opened correctly. In this case, scan the PLIST file and take the actions recommended by the antivirus program installed on the system. Most often it is disinfection or deletion of an infected file.
- Check if you, as the operating system user, have appropriate permissions to work with the file PLIST
- Check if the icon is an element of the correct file but not only a shortcut to the location where the PLIST file no longer exists.
- Check that the system has the necessary resources to run the Apple Property List Editor application and open the PLIST file.
- Check if the file is complete - Sometimes it happens that the PLIST file was not copied completely from the external Flash memory, or downloaded from the Internet. When the file is incomplete, it is not possible to open it correctly. In this case, please download or copy the file PLIST again.
Step 4. Contact an IT expert
When all of the above methods have failed, it remains to contact an IT specialist or developers of the APPLE PROPERTY LIST EDITOR program.