File Extension Database

Open RES File

Files with the RES extension have various uses, namely:

Valve Resource File

For Valve, a RES file contains a list of resources used by games developed by Valve, such as Half-Life 2 and Counter-Strike.

RES file typically accompanies a BSP multiplayer map file and is used to store the locations of custom content, such as materials and textures for player skins.

In this use case, RES files are presented as plain text.

RES files appeared with the release of Half-Life in 1998, which was Valve Software's first title.

When playing a game, such as Half-Life, the game references the RES file if the player is playing a custom map and then downloads the resources, making them playable within the game.

But as download speeds have increased, new resource formats have been released, and the game engine has evolved, actual RES files have become less common, thus becoming obsolete.

For a RES file to be recognized by a game, it must be placed in the maps folder with the BSP map to which it is associated and it must also have the same name as the BSP map.

Windows Resource File

In this application, the RES file is a type of binary file generated automatically by the Delphi IDE.

The RES file contains the main icon of the program and the version information, which is necessary to compile a program.

The RES can also include other resources used within the application, such as bitmaps, cursors, and string tables.

C++ Compiled Resource Script

For C++, the RES file is a Win32 resource file used when compiling a program in that language.

The RES contains resources, such as images, cursors, and version information.

Software to open a RES file

Typical RES application file locations:

"g:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe" /dde
c:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe /dde
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe" /dde

Frequently used application names to open RES files:

Microsoft Visual Studio 10.0
Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0

Frequently associated Windows objects:

VisualStudio.res.10.0
VisualStudio.res.9.0

How Can I Open RES File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open RES file is to find a RES file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a RES 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 RES 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 RES file opener then try to search online for "RES viewer", "application to open RES file" or "open RES file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open RES file

How Can I Open RES File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a RES file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a RES 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 RES file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as RES file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open RES file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open RES file then try to search for "RES viewer", "application to open RES file" or "read RES file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read RES file

How Can I Open RES File on Android

If you downloaded a RES 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 RES 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 "RES".
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 "RES viewer", "RES 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 RES File on iPhone or iPad

To open RES 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 RES 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 "RES". This way you can find apps which can open RES 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 "RES viewer" or "RES file" online in your favorite search engine.

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