Monday, January 28, 2013

How to Open .webloc files in Windows

Don't download and install some sketchy unknown converter .exe program to "convert" it for you.
A .webloc file is a shortcut or bookmark that is created when Apple users send each other bookmarks.  (Don't blame them, Apple users don't know any better.)

All you have to do:

  • save the file
  • If you can see that the file name ends in .webloc:
    • just change the .webloc to .txt
    • open it
  • If you can't see the file extension (.webloc):
    • right-click the file
    • Open With 
    • Notepad  (you might have to select "Choose Program..." first).
Copy the stuff that's in between <string> and </string>, and paste it into the address bar of your web browser.

FYI:  A .webloc file just a simple text file formatted in XML (if you don't know what that means, don't worry about it).
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18 comments:

  1. SquareBubbleJuly 31, 2014 at 7:28 AM

    Does this also work when the .webloc file is a picture?

    ReplyDelete
  2. uniquegeekAugust 28, 2014 at 8:13 AM

    It should - it's just a reference to a location of a picture on the internet. The text between the string tags should still be a web address.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownFebruary 23, 2015 at 4:33 PM

    thank you!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMarch 4, 2015 at 7:46 AM

    Does this work for videos too?

    ReplyDelete
  5. uniquegeekApril 12, 2015 at 8:18 AM

    It should work for anything, as long as the web site / reference inside it still exists.

    ReplyDelete
  6. DeniseOctober 10, 2015 at 2:00 PM

    Beautiful. Thanks so much -- you saved me lots of time!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nithin ^_^ :DNovember 16, 2015 at 7:03 PM

    It dosen't work it saysHTTP ERROR: 403

    Problem accessing /owa/attachment.ashx. Reason:

    Forbidden

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. uniquegeekDecember 2, 2015 at 11:04 AM

      If you stay logged into Outlook Web Access on one tab, and open the link in the other, I'd expect this to work. If it's closed, then there is no active session and it might not think that you have permission to view it anymore.

      Delete
    2. Buffy JaxsonMay 3, 2018 at 10:34 AM

      Does this mean they password protected it or something and forgot to tell us?

      "You need permission
      This form can only be viewed by users in the owner's organization.

      Try contacting the owner of the form if you think this is a mistake. Learn More."

      Delete
  8. Nithin ^_^ :DNovember 16, 2015 at 7:03 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  9. uniquegeekDecember 2, 2015 at 11:02 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Stat2February 29, 2016 at 11:26 AM

    Thank you - exactly as you said using notepad !

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownMarch 29, 2017 at 6:16 PM

    How do I change it to txt?

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownApril 14, 2017 at 6:13 AM

    I've created an application that provides full .webloc file support on Windows. (see - https://benchdoos.github.io/)

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownJune 7, 2017 at 9:22 AM

    this works !

    ReplyDelete
  14. RomMay 20, 2018 at 10:29 AM

    all this does is open my gmail

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownMarch 6, 2019 at 2:07 AM

    This works for images. Thank you - I was struggling to open it.

    ReplyDelete

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