Open QCOW files

  • Full name
    QEMU Copy-On-Write
  • Developer
    David T Reynolds
Have you encountered a problem with a QCOW 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 QCOW file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your QCOW file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

Programs which can open a QCOW file

How to open file with QCOW extension?

In order to open a file with QCOW extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening QCOW 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 QCOW files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install Qemu Manager or other program from the list

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

Set Qemu Manager as the default program for opening QCOW 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 QCOW 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 Qemu Manager applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Qemu Manager has been installed.

2
3
Check the section that lists most common problems with QCOW files

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

  • File data is corrupted
  • QCOW 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 QCOW files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • QCOW 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)

Similar extensions