GIF stands for Graphics Interchange Format file. This format represents an image file, with a palette of 256 colors. These colors can be adapted to other colors in the image and are stored in a lossless format. GIF files are a popular choice for web based graphics such as text images and navigation buttons.
Every GIF file starts with a fixed length header “GIF87a” or “GIF89a” providing for a version. This is followed by a descriptor providing for size and other characteristics of the logical screen. After this, the file is divided in an image section, extension block section and a trailer section. Each section is differentiated by a 1 byte sentinel at the beginning of the section.
| File type | Graphics Interchange File Format |
| Developer | Lack of information |
| Popularity | |
| Share |
While searching for an answer to the question - How to open the GIF file? - you probably found websites, which offer software that was able to open any file extension. Do not be fooled, there is no one program that will allow you to work with any file extension, including the GIF file. Each program contains a different type of data and you need specialized software to properly work with the GIF file. Here is a list of programs that are designed to work with the GIF file - remember, these applications are able to open at most a few file extensions, they are designed to work with a specific data type.
If after installing the program from a list, you still cannot open a file with the GIF extension, the reason may be that the file is damaged. The solution may be to find a new copy of the GIF file you want to open
In this case, the easiest way is to use the tool built into the operating system for association of the GIF file with applications to support it. Double click on the file you cannot open - the operating system will display a list of programs that are likely to work with your GIF file. Choose one of them, or select the location on a disk where you installed one of the applications from our list. Windows should then open the GIF file using the program installed earlier.
Entries containing links of the GIF file extensions with applications is located in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT. If you do not know how to get to the Windows Registry, or how to make changes in it, ask a specialist for help. Lack of knowledge on the subject may cause irreversible changes on your computer.
There may be a situation when a computer virus passes itself off as the GIF file. In this case, such a file will definitely not be opened. Download a good antivirus program and scan the GIF file mentioned. If the antivirus application detects malicious data, it may signify that the GIF file is infected.
| GIR | Gens Plus! Movie |
| GIG | GigaSampler/GigaStudio Audio Format |
| GIM | Sony Playstation 3 Icon Format |
| GIN | GEMS Engine Control Unit Format |
| GIS | CFS Console Game Installer Settings Format |
| GITKEEP | Gitkeep |
| GIF89A | GIF 89a Image |
| GINSPECT_PRJ | GOM Inspect Project Format |
| GI! | GigaSampler/GigaStudio Split |
| GI | Prassi DVD Disk Image Format |
