COM File: What is it?

Reporter:   |   Amended: December 05, 2018

Microsoft Silver

COM File Summary

Most COM files can be viewed with two known software applications, typically Microsoft Windows developed by Microsoft Corporation. and associated with the DOS Command File format as it's primary file type. The COM File Extension are listed predominantly as Executable Files.

We have found COM files on the Windows and Mac operating systems. They are both mobile and desktop device friendly. These files have a Popularity Rating of "Low", meaning they are not very commonly observed on your average hard disk.

Interested to learn more about the COM File Extension? We encourage you to view the detailed file information below to learn about the software that opens COM files, and other troubleshooting tips.

Low
File Type Popularity
7998
Order

/ 11690

Active

Relevance

5

December

2018

Updated

Open COM with FileViewPro

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Kinds of COM Files


Leading COM Type

.COM
Formatting:.com
File Type:DOS Command File

COM is a text file containing a series of commands intended to be executed by the command interpreter. A COM file is run by MS-DOS and Windows. It is similar to an .EXE file, but it has a maximum size of 64 KB and it has no header or metadata.

Developer: Microsoft Corporation
Function:Executable Files
Location: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.com

Software Programs That Open The DOS Command File:


Microsoft Windows by Microsoft Corporation

Windows

Parallels Desktop for Mac by Parallels

Mac

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COM File Popularity


Device Breakdown

Desktop (84.34%)
Mobile (14.29%)
Tablet (1.37%)


Troubleshoot COM Files


Typical COM Opening Challenges

Microsoft Windows Isn't There

If you attempt to load your COM file, you experience a message such as "Can't Open COM Files". Usually, this is because you do not have Microsoft Windows for %%os%% installed. You won't be able to double-click to open your COM because your OS doesn't know what to do with it.


Tip: When you have another program installed that you know will open your COM, you can select it from the other programs listed (see "Show Apps").


Microsoft Windows is Out-of-Date

Your DOS Command File file is incompatible with Microsoft Windows because you might have the wrong version installed. Visit the Microsoft Corporation website to download (or purchase) the latest version of Microsoft Windows. Your DOS Command File file was probably created by a newer release of Microsoft Windows than what's currently installed your computer.


Tip: If you right-click on your COM file, then select "Properties" (Windows) or "Get Info" (Mac), you can obtain hints about what version you need.


Primarily, problems experienced when opening COM files are due to having the incorrect version of Microsoft Windows installed on your computer.


Other COM File Opening Causes

You can still experience errors opening COM files even with the latest version of Microsoft Windows installed on your PC. There can be external issues inside of %%os%% that are causing these errors when opening COMs. These other problems include (listed in order from most to least common):

  • Invalid COM file references in the Windows Registry (the "phonebook" of the Windows Operating System)
  • The COM file description within the Windows Registry was removed
  • Invalid installation of a COM-associated program (eg. Microsoft Windows)
  • Your COM file is corrupted (issues with your DOS Command File file itself)
  • COM file integrity has been compromised by malware
  • Hardware related to COMs has device driver corruption
  • Your PC doesn’t have enough available resources to open the DOS Command File file

Poll: How many different computer files (eg. documents, videos, audio) do you typically view or edit on a daily basis?









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