Open AVI files

Full name

Audio Video Interleave Movie Format
Developer

Microsoft
Popularity

Have you encountered a problem with a AVI file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a AVI file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your AVI file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is AVI file?

The ending AVI identifies audio-video interleave files.

More info

These files can contain multiple video, audio, and text streams (for subtitles). Originally developed by Microsoft for short videos, today the Matrox-enhanced OpenDML version is widely used.
With the ending AVI no statement can be made as to whether a program can display the content or not, since AVI represents a container format. This means that in an AVI file video or audio data can be contained in different compression methods.
AVI format only defines how the data streams are arranged and labeled. However, not all compression methods and combinations are supported. Nevertheless, AVI is the most widely used format for videos on the PC.
For decoding the data streams the player needs additional codecs.
These can be integrated directly into the operating system and used in all corresponding applications or integrated only in the player.
Codecs are available for a variety of video and audio compression methods. Playback programs like VLC can play many formats even without the codec installed.
An AVI file may contain, for example, a Divx encoded video stream and ac3 encoded audio. But there are also other formats to uncompressed data or WMV possible. The included video can be in many resolutions up to HD material.

Programs which can open a AVI file

Windows

Linux

Mac OS

How to open file with AVI extension?

In order to open a file with AVI extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening AVI file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with AVI files, follow the instructions below.

Install QuickTime Player or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening AVI files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support AVI files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of AVI files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set QuickTime Player as the default program for opening AVI files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate AVI files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the QuickTime Player applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where QuickTime Player has been installed.

Check the section that lists most common problems with AVI files

Sometimes problems with opening AVI files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

File data is corrupted
AVI files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open AVI files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
AVI file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)