OpenAnyFile
What is a .inf file?
Setup Information File is a source code format developed by Microsoft, first released in 1995. It is usually created by Windows driver packages.
INI-style instructions telling Windows how to install a driver.
File details
| Full name | Setup Information File |
|---|---|
| Category | Code |
| MIME type | text/plain |
| Signature (magic bytes) | 5B 56 65 72 73 69 6F 6E 5D ([Version]) |
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Introduced | 1995 |
| Opens with | Text reader |
| Uploaded? | No — read locally in your browser |
How to open a .inf file
OpenAnyFile routes .inf files to its text reader, which shows the full text.
- Drop your .inf file on the box above, click it to choose the file, or paste it with Ctrl+V.
- The real format is detected from the file's first bytes — not just its name.
- The file opens in the text reader.
- Use fullscreen for a closer look, check its checksums, or download it back unchanged.
What works — and what does not
Works
Viewing and inspecting: the full text. Size, type, signature and checksums are always shown.
Does not work
Editing and saving back. OpenAnyFile is a viewer, not an editor — for changes you still need the original app.
Is it safe to open a .inf file online?
Here, yes — because nothing is uploaded. Most "online viewers" send your file to their server. OpenAnyFile reads it with your browser's File API and decodes it on your own device, so there is no copy anywhere else. You can check: open your browser's network tab while opening a file — no upload appears.
Questions about .inf files
Can I open a .inf file without installing software?
Yes. OpenAnyFile opens .inf files in your browser using its text reader. You get the full text, with nothing installed and no account.
How do I know a file is really a .inf file?
Check its first bytes instead of its name. A genuine INF file begins with 5B 56 65 72 73 69 6F 6E 5D ([Version]). OpenAnyFile shows the detected type, so a renamed file is easy to spot.
Is my .inf file uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is read locally by your browser and never sent to a server — it even works offline once the page has loaded.
Does it work on phones?
Yes — on Android and iPhone, in any modern browser. You can also install OpenAnyFile as an app.
Related formats
Other formats from the same family:
Format facts checked and page updated on September 25, 2026.