Software

How to open SWF files?

By Maxwell
Published - May 31, 2022

You’re presumably reading this because you can’t open a file with the.swf extension. This is because your browser must support particular software or Adobe Flash. Here are a few fast ways to open.swf files on a Windows PC.

What you will see here?

What is a .swf file?

The initials stand for Small Web Format, however, the files are also known as Shockwave Flash because they are made with Adobe Flash software.

Small Web Format (.swf) files can contain audio, video, plus animations, all compressed in a way that makes them easy to share online.

Because Flash is an old format that is being phased out, Windows will not immediately play the a.swf file.

In Internet Explorer, how can you open the a.swf file?

You can view.swf files in an ordinary web browser, but Adobe Flash is required. This is problematic because Flash is a recognized vector of attack for viruses and hackers, as well as a plugin that most browsers – even Chrome – now blocked by default.

The recommendation is to use only one browser — in this case, Internet Explorer – for Flash-related tasks. That way, you’ll know when you’re using a browser with a potential vulnerability and can take precautions (essentially, don’t visit questionable websites or download anything).

Open IE11 and click the gear cog within the top right corner, just to the right of the search bar, to enable Flash. Select Manage add-ons from the drop-down menu that appears, and then highlight Toolbars and Extensions on the next screen.

In Internet Explorer, how can you open the a.swf file? Manage add-ons

Scroll down until you locate the Microsoft Windows Third Party Application Component area in the list of apps. Shockwave Flash Object should find here.

It should show either Disabled or Enabled under Status. If it’s the former, click the Enable button within the window’s bottom right corner, then Close.

After that, go to Windows Explorer and look for the.swf file. After that, right-click it and choose Open with… from the menu.

A dialogue labeled How would you like to open the file appears. It should ask you to visit the Windows App Store. Instead, select the More apps choice from the drop-down menu.

Select Internet Explorer from the list of apps that appears and click OK.

IE will open and display the contents of the file. If the.swf file uses ActiveX, you’ll get a warning, but you can ignore it by selecting the Allow option if you’re confident the file came from a safe source.

That’s it; you should be able to watch the.swf file’s video, audio, and animations.

Using specialized tools to open.swf files

If you want to open.swf files with a standalone tool, there are various options available, most of which are free. SWF File Player is one of the most popular, and it is free and compatible with most versions of Windows.

SWF File Player is a simple interface that allows you to select the file you want to see, click Play, and you do.

The VLC media player, among other things, accepts these files.

You can also convert these files to something a little more manageable, such as MP4, so you can see them on any device.

There are lots to pick from, all of which are free, with Flabaco, Online Covert, & Files Conversion all providing excellent service.

Conclusion

To produce an SWF file after Adobe discontinued Flash support, you’ll have to install a third-party tool like Sothink Quicker. Before downloading any apps, do your homework. Some third-party programs may pose security hazards, such as revealing personal information or infecting your device with hazardous viruses.

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