greigmcl
Favorite Answer
Most .dat files that we receive as email attachments are attachments from MS Outlook. It's actually a file format called TNEF (that no one apart from Microsoft seems to use).
The actual file that the person meant to attach is wrapped up in the TNEF code (although sometimes outlook will attach the file with nothing but a vcard, or similarly basically blank file).
There are a couple of free TNEF extractors that I can think of, but the best one I've found is called fentun. You can find it at http://www.fentun.com/ There is also a mac program called TNEF's Enough, but I don't have any experience using it, so I can't comment.
Ganganzul
Since ".dat" is a common extension, it may be utilized by different programs. This can be a problem to open a DAT file. In any case, the most ideal approach to open a .DAT file is to utilize the program that made it. Nonetheless, if you're not certain, you can use Notepad to identify the program.
You'll typically just see this file format when getting emails with attachments.
For some reason, some email programs change the file extension on email attachments to .DAT by itself. So if somebody sent you a picture and now it’s a .DAT file, you initially need to save it to your computer and after that change the file extension to whatever you suppose it should be. Also, for Word document, change it to .DOC, etc.
How to change the file
Go to MY Computer, click on Tools and choose Folder Options.
Next, click on the View tab and afterwards scroll down to the "Hide extensions for known file types" and Uncheck it. Now we will have the capacity to see the file extension and transform it to something else.
Now you can change the file extension to the file extension you wanted by doing right click on the .DAT file.
You can additionally attempt other programs like Windows Media Player since it will open it in the event that it happens to be a movie, Mp3, or comparable media format. So confidently you are presently able to open your secretive .Dat file utilizing one of the above specified routines! If not, If not, go to http://www.file-extensions.info/extension/511-dat page and see what to do.
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What Is A Dat File
Not In The Know
The problem is that so many different programs use ".dat" that it really doesn't tell you anything about the file, what it contains, or what program it belongs to. There is no standard format, there is no standard way to interpret the contents. ".dat" is only a name and nothing more.
So I'll be clear: there is no way to know how to open a .dat file unless you know what program created it. Period.
sangos
Be care full there are file ABC.DAT.exe on net.
Else Dat files are Data files and the extension is used by numerous programs. Including Metlab, VCD etc.
If they are coming from known source ask him, Else delete them.