What's the INS File?

Reporter:   |   Last Updated: December 05, 2018

Microsoft Silver

INS File Summary

The INS File Extension has five different file types (mostly seen as the LaTeX Installer Script format) and can be opened with twelve distinctive software programs, with the dominant related application developed by Microsoft Corporation (Microsoft Notepad software). Generally, these files are considered Data Files, but they can also be System Files or Settings Files.

File Extension INS files have been identified on both desktop and mobile devices. They are fully or partially supported by Windows, Mac, and Linux. The main INS file type has a Popularity Rating of "Low", meaning these files are not frequently present on your typical desktop or mobile device.

Although there is a lot more to know about INS files, those are the most important details of these types of files. If you are having trouble opening these files, or would like more detailed information, please see our comprehensive information below.

Low
File Type Popularity
8201
Order

/ 11690

Active

Mode

5

December

2018

Refreshed

FileViewPro Opens INS Files

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Kinds of INS Files

  5 known file types use this extension

Leading INS Type

.INS
File ID:.ins
Group:LaTeX Installer Script

Script file used by LaTeX, document preparation system for high-quality typesetting. INS file contains commands used for installation, distributed with a .DTX DOCTex package and contains instructions for extracting the DTX content into separate files, such as .STY or .TEX files.

Company: Open Source
Division:Data Files
Subkey: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.ins

Software Programs That Open The LaTeX Installer Script:


Microsoft Notepad by Microsoft Corporation

Windows
Mac
Linux

Notepad++ by Don Ho

Windows
Mac
Linux

MiKTeX by Christian Schenk

Windows

TeXworks by Jonathan Kew and Stefan Löffler

Windows
Mac
Linux

Notepad2 by Open Source

Windows

Lyx by Open Source

Windows
Mac
Linux
Unix

Texmaker by Open Source

Windows
Mac
Linux

More INS Files

.INS
File ID:.ins
Group:Internet Naming Service File

System file associated with Windows Internet Name Service (WINS), a NetBIOS name resolution service that allows client computers to register their NetBIOS names and IP addresses in a dynamic, distributed database and to resolve the NetBIOS names of network resources to their IP addresses.

Company: Microsoft Corporation
Division:System Files

Software Programs That Open Internet Naming Service File Files:


Microsoft Windows by Microsoft Corporation

Compatible with:

Windows
.INS
File ID:.ins
Group:Internet Settings File

The Internet settings (.ins) file is the mechanism that Internet Explorer Administration Kit 7 (IEAK 7) uses to configure computers for broadband or dial-up Internet access. At the end of Internet sign-up, the Internet service provider (ISP) sign-up server creates an INS file that contains the specified Internet settings and returns the file to the computer.

Company: Microsoft Corporation
Division:Settings Files

Software Programs That Open Internet Settings File Files:


Internet Explorer by Microsoft Corporation

Compatible with:

Windows
Mac

Microsoft Windows by Microsoft Corporation

Compatible with:

Windows
.INS
File ID:.ins
Group:Sample Cell II Instrument Definition File

This file contains one instrument definition and references to external audio files used by the instrument. The INS file does not contain the actual audio file.

Company: Avid Technology
Division:Audio Files

Software Programs That Open Sample Cell II Instrument Definition File Files:


Awave Studio by FMJ-Software

Compatible with:

Windows

Cakewalk SONAR by Cakewalk, Inc.

Compatible with:

Windows
.INS
File ID:.ins
Group:Inspiration Mind Mapping Software Document

Document file associated with Inspiration, a mind mapping software for Microsoft Windows operating system, It contains saved mindmap created in Inspiration.

Company: Inspiration Software Inc.
Division:Data Files

Software Programs That Open Inspiration Mind Mapping Software Document Files:


Inspiration Software by Inspiration Software Inc.

Compatible with:

Windows
Mac

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INS Demand


Leading Operating Systems

Windows (97.14%)
Macintosh (2.06%)
Linux (0.73%)
Chrome (0.05%)
Other (0.01%)

Browser Popularity

Chrome (58.80%)
Firefox (11.05%)
Internet Explorer (9.04%)
Edge (8.46%)
Safari (3.87%)


INS Troubleshooting


Common INS Opening Problems

Microsoft Notepad is Not Installed

If you attempt to load your INS file, you experience a message such as "Can't Open INS Files". When this happens, it is commonly due to Microsoft Notepad missing in %%os%%. The OS won't know what to do with your INS file, so double-clicking to load the file doesn't work.


Tip: If you have another software that you know opens INS files, you can select it by hitting the "Show Apps" button.


Outdated Microsoft Notepad

In other instances, your LaTeX Installer Script file version may not be supported by your version of Microsoft Notepad. Installing the latest version of Microsoft Notepad from Microsoft Corporation is recommended. This issue mainly occurs when your LaTeX Installer Script file was created by a newer version of Microsoft Notepad than you have on your PC.


Tip: You can sometimes get hints about the right program version by right-clicking on the INS file, selecting "Properties", and looking at the version information.


Ultimately, most of the difficulties opening INS files are due to having the wrong version of Microsoft Notepad installed.


Other INS File Opening Causes

Errors opening LaTeX Installer Script files can still occur even with the latest Microsoft Notepad software installed on your computer. If you are continuing to have errors with loading INS files, other external issues might be to blame. Additional factors include:

  • Invalid INS file references in the Windows Registry (the "phonebook" of the Windows Operating System)
  • Accidental deletion of the description of the INS file in the Windows registry
  • Incomplete or bad installation of a software application associated with the INS format
  • INS file corruption
  • The INS is infected with a virus
  • Hardware associated with INS has outdated drivers
  • Your computer does not have the adequate system resources to open the LaTeX Installer Script format

Quiz: Which operating system pioneered hierarchical file system (eg. file folders)?








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