File Extension Database

Open AVI File

AVI file extension is used by Audio Video Interleave files. These files contain multimedia streams stored in AVI container format that was originally developed by Microsoft Corporation in the 1992 based on "Resource Interchange File Format" (RIFF). This format allows to store both audio and video data in the same file for simultaneous playback while using different compression codecs for each stream. This is achieved by interleaving small blocks (called chunks) of audio and video data in the file. AVI files can use many different video compression algorithms including: Intel Real Time (Indeo), Cinepak, Motion JPEG, Editable MPEG, VDOWave, ClearVideo, RealVideo, QPEG, MPEG-4 etc. Each codec is identified by a four-letter code (FOURCC)

DV AVI files are usually produced by miniDV tape camcorders. These files may use inter-frame but not inter-frame compression schemes which produces huge files (usually gigabytes or tens of gigabytes in size) with very good image quality. Normally these files are only used for editing the video and data is then compressed using MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 algorithms to be written on CDs or DVDs.

Almost any modern Windows video player can open AVI files and play information in them.

Typical AVI application file locations:

%ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe /prefetch:8 /Open "%L"
C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime\QuickTimePlayer.exe "%1"
C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Photo Gallery\WLXPhotoGallery.exe /LaunchPhotoViewer /v "%1"
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe" /prefetch:8 /Play "%L"

Typical AVI mime types:

video/avi

Frequently used application names to open AVI files:

Windows Media Player
QuickTime
Windows Live

Frequently associated Windows objects:

avifile
QuickTime.avi
WindowsLive.PhotoGallery.video.14.0
WMP11.AssocFile.AVI

How Can I Open AVI File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open AVI file is to find a AVI file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a AVI file is not opened in an application and you instead get a "Windows can't open a file" error message you should try looking for an application which can open the file in question.
If you know the application which can open AVI file then run it and see if there is a File->Open main menu option in the application.
If you don't know the application which function as AVI file opener then try to search online for "AVI viewer", "application to open AVI file" or "open AVI file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open AVI file

How Can I Open AVI File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a AVI file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a AVI file is not opened in a Mac OS application and you instead get a "There is no application set to open the file" error message you can click on "Search App Store" in the error dialog and Mac OS will show you applications compatible with AVI file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as AVI file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open AVI file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open AVI file then try to search for "AVI viewer", "application to open AVI file" or "read AVI file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read AVI file

How Can I Open AVI File on Android

If you downloaded a AVI file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

In the Android apps list on your Android device find "My Files" or "File manager" app and tap to start it.
Tap on "Downloads" folder inside the app.
You should see your downloaded AVI file in that folder.
Tap on the file. If Android device supports opening the file you downloaded it will open in the corresponding app.
If file does not open you can look for the corresponding app that can open the file by searching Android App Store for the "AVI".
If you cannot open the file with the apps from Android App Store it is possible that the file could only be opened on desktop platforms such as Windows or Mac OS. Try searching for "AVI viewer", "AVI file reader" online and see if any desktop applications can open it.
It is also possible that the file you downloaded is outdated and is no longer supported.

How to Open AVI File on iPhone or iPad

To open AVI File on iOS device follow steps below:

We advies to open Files app on your iPhone or iPad device. You can find it by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
Tap on the Downloads folder on the Files app home screen.
You will see all files that you recently downloaded. Tap on the AVI file to view it.
If you have the right app that can open it it will automatically launch and open your file.
If you don't have the app which can open it you need to serch Apple app store for "AVI". This way you can find apps which can open AVI files.
If this doesn't help it is possible that your file could be opened only by the desktop application. To find an app which can open it on desktop look for "AVI viewer" or "AVI file" online in your favorite search engine.