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).

18 comments:

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

    ReplyDelete
  2. 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.

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  3. Does this work for videos too?

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

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

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  6. It dosen't work it saysHTTP ERROR: 403

    Problem accessing /owa/attachment.ashx. Reason:

    Forbidden

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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. 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
  7. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  9. Thank you - exactly as you said using notepad !

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

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  11. all this does is open my gmail

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

    ReplyDelete