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Microsoft Windows is Out-of-Date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?