File Extension Database

Open SAM File

The SAM extension file is a network configuration that contains mappings of IP addresses to NetBIOS names of remote servers with which a computer can communicate using the TCP / IP protocol.

The SAM file is a helper function to Microsoft's LMHOSTS file, as the former is a sample of the latter.

The operating system uses the SAM file to automatically load the first 100 LMHOSTS entries marked "#PRE" at startup.

The SAM file, as well as the LMHOSTS file, were created for Windows 95, however, it is important to know that from Windows 8 it is no longer used, neither LMHOSTS nor SAM files due to its known vulnerabilities.

How Can I Open SAM File on Windows

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

How Can I Open SAM File on Mac OS

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

How Can I Open SAM File on Android

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

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