OpenAnyFile
What is a .uue file?
Uuencoded File is a data format developed by Mary Ann Horton, first released in 1980. It is usually created by Usenet, old email systems.
The pre-MIME way of sending binaries as text; decoded here, and the result opens in its own viewer.
File details
| Full name | Uuencoded File |
|---|---|
| Category | Data & science |
| MIME type | text/x-uuencode |
| Signature (magic bytes) | 62 65 67 69 6E 20 (begin ) |
| Developer | Mary Ann Horton |
| Introduced | 1980 |
| Opens with | Base64 decoder |
| Uploaded? | No — read locally in your browser |
How to open a .uue file
OpenAnyFile routes .uue files to its Base64 decoder, which shows the decoded file, opened in its own viewer.
- Drop your .uue 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 Base64 decoder.
- 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 decoded file, opened in its own viewer. 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 .uue 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 .uue files
Can I open a .uue file without installing software?
Yes. OpenAnyFile opens .uue files in your browser using its Base64 decoder. You get the decoded file, opened in its own viewer, with nothing installed and no account.
How do I know a file is really a .uue file?
Check its first bytes instead of its name. A genuine UUE file begins with 62 65 67 69 6E 20 (begin ). OpenAnyFile shows the detected type, so a renamed file is easy to spot.
Is my .uue 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.