Open APPLICATION file

APPLICATION files: what are they and how do I open them?

application file icon Are you facing difficulties opening unknown files on your computer, or wondering exactly what this file is?
We've got the information and best software solutions for opening these files effortlessly.

ClickOnce deployment manifest

Files with application extension are special app installers deployed with Microsoft’s ClickOnce technology. ClickOnce is similar technology to the Java Web Start for the Java Platform. ClickOnce applications can be developed in the Microsoft Visual Studio.

Further details:

The application file extension is mainly associated with ClickOnce, a Microsoft's technology for deploying Windows Forms or Windows Presentation Foundation-based software, which is also called Smart clients. It is similar to Java Web Start for the Java Platform. ClickOnce is only available in .NET 2.0 and its later versions.

The application files contain a deployment manifest, a XML file that describes a ClickOnce deployment, including the identification of the current ClickOnce application version to deploy.

The application files were designed to provide easy "one click" deployments of user-level Windows applications. They have a corresponding .appref-ms file that activates the ClickOne for a program, which subsequently executes within the .NET framework in Windows.

Open file with:

Microsoft Windows icon

Microsoft Windows

A series of operating systems developed by Microsoft

Microsoft Visual Studio icon

Microsoft Visual Studio

IDE for creating programs, or websites and web applications

What is the meaning of a file extension?

File extensions are characters that appear after the dot in a computer file's name. For example, the file "unknown-file.pdf" has the file extension "pdf". This is used to identify which program should open the file or what file type it is.
File extensions help you organize and manage files. They provide a quick and easy way to identify and associate the file type with the appropriate software.

We can help you open your file

In our database, we have collected a huge number of different file extensions, detailed descriptions, and programs that can be used to open or otherwise work with the file extensions listed in our database.
This database is an invaluable resource for users who want to understand better file extensions and what they can do with them. It also allows users to know different file types with the same purpose.

Only verified software links are provided

We have verified every software listed in our database. The software listed in our database includes links to the developer's or software's website. These links should allow you to download the right program for each file type. Using verified software from reputable sources helps minimize the risk of malware and viruses infecting your computer.