When you encounter a file type that yous (and your operating system) doesn't recognize, it's oftentimes difficult to figure out how to open it. After all, every file has software that opens it, from DAT files in Windows to Function formats like DOCX or PPTX. Even files without extensions crave the correct software to open up them.

One file format that you might not recognize is the CFG file format, but what is a CFG file? CFG files are typically generic configuration files for other software, including applications and games, and are supported by Windows and Mac. Here'due south everything you need to know about CFG files (including how to open up them).

What Is a CFG File and Is It Condom?

The "CFG" in CFG file stands for configuration, which succinctly sums up its purpose for Windows and Mac users. CFG files are configuration files used by other software to customize how things work. Culling file types, such as "CONFIG" for CONFIG files, work in a similar fashion.

As a universally-recognized standard, CFG files are hands recognized by Windows and Mac, but that doesn't mean the files themselves follow a typical format. While CFG files are a class of text file and can exist changed easily, you'll need to take care when you lot're opening or editing them.

For instance, irresolute options in a CFG file used by a piece of software may consequence in that software no longer working correctly. Editing game configuration files is one example, where changing the way a grapheme operates by modifying options in the linked CFG files could make the graphic symbol undefeatable (or, by contrast, easily defeated).

Typical CFG files will apply a standard format, such every bit XML or JSON, making it easier to edit. Some CFG files, however, employ a custom format and style designed by the developers. This makes information technology harder to change those files without relying on programmer support (or by using trial-and-error).

Before you outset editing a CFG file, you should empathise how information technology will impact the software it links to. The software developers may encourage this, offering documentation or help guides to assist you. Some developers actively discourage this, however, leaving trial-and-error every bit the only way to encounter if your changes work.

If you lot're unsure about the changes yous're making, brand sure to back up your files first. If the changes are wrong or crusade instability, you can easily revert back to an earlier, backed up version of the file.

How to Open CFG Files on Windows x

The CFG file extension is widely recognized equally a software configuration file, which is why software developers frequently use information technology. The range of software using CFG files for configuration is vast, including commercial design software, text editors, and games.

That makes it easy for Windows 10 users to open a CFG file using the built-in Notepad application. Yet, Notepad offers no additional formatting options, making it harder to work through a large CFG file. Third-party Notepad replacements offer more features, including Notepad++, merely aren't essential.

  1. To open a CFG file using the native Notepad app, open Windows File Explorer at the location of the file. If Windows automatically recognizes the CFG file, double-click it to open it in Notepad. Alternatively, correct-click the CFG file and select the Open up With option.
  1. In the How exercise y'all want to open this file? menu, select the More Apps selection. From the list, choose a suitable text file reader, such as Notepad, Notepad++, or Wordpad. While Microsoft Word fits into this category, Word converts CFG files into an unusual format that affects the formatting of the file, and then avoid using it for CFG files.

    If you want the software you've selected to always open a CFG file, select the Always use this file to open up .cfg files checkbox. Select the OK push button to open the file.

In one case the file opens in your chosen text file editor, you can make changes. But be certain to save the file in the CFG format later. Some text editors, such as Wordpad, may automatically convert your file to the TXT file format during the save process.

If this happens, the file will no longer work as a configuration file, and so make sure to cheque that the file is saved with the CFG extension one time you lot've finished editing it.

How to Open CFG Files on Mac

Like Windows software, software designed for Macs apply the CFG (or CONFIG) file format for boosted configuration. macOS recognizes the file and should automatically attempt to open up it using the built-in TextEdit app.

Like Notepad for Windows, yet, TextEdit isn't designed for formatting. If you're dealing with a big CFG file with a lot of options, it tin can be easier to understand and edit it using 3rd-party editors like Atom or MacVim. Only using TextEdit is the all-time choice if you're looking for a congenital-in CFG editor for Mac.

  1. To open a CFG file on Mac using TextEdit, open the Finder app and locate the CFG file y'all're looking to open. If your Mac is configured to do so, double-click the file. It should open in TextEdit automatically. If information technology doesn't, right-click the file and select Open With > Other from the options menu.
  1. In the Choose an application box, detect a suitable app to open the CFG file from the Applications binder (for instance, TextEdit or Atom). If you want to acquaintance the CFG file with that software, select the Always Open With checkbox, saving y'all time and ensuring that all futurity CFG files will open automatically. Information technology will too open the CFG file y'all've selected afterwards. When you're ready, select Open to open up the file.

Like CFG files on Windows, yous'll need to make sure that you correctly edit the file using the format it's in (eg. post-obit JSON styling if the file uses the JSON format). If you make incorrect changes to the file, your software could stop working.

You'll also demand to make sure that your chosen text editor saves the file in the CFG file format. TextEdit will automatically salve over the existing file without irresolute the format. If you're using a third-party text editor, yet, you'll need to confirm that it defaults to CFG during the file saving process.

Configuring Software on Windows and Mac

Thanks to apps like Notepad and TextEdit, you lot don't demand third-party apps to edit CFG files on Windows and Mac unless you're looking for extra features. This gives you the liberty to quickly configure software and games with ease, equally long as you make sure to back up your files first.

Later on all, one pocket-size change can entirely suspension the software yous're using, especially for critical configuration files. If you're worried, you can restore previous versions of files in both Windows 10 and Mac, or y'all tin retrieve about using a tertiary-party solution like Google Fill-in and Sync to keep your configuration files rubber instead.