Installation Files

Open XPI File

XPI refers to the Extension Archive files. They are primarily associated with the web browsers like Mozilla Firefox. These files are the compressed installation archives which are used by browsers like Firefox, Thunderbird and SeaMonkey. The contents of these files may vary from primary software component programs to the software extensions like the web plug-ins. There is a very simple way of opening such files. They can be simply dragged and dropped into the window of a web browser. The browser will itself open the file.

Similarities of these files with .zip files

The files with the XPI are actually very much similar to the zip files. They are also compressed files which is responsible for their small sizes. Thus, when they are opened, they first need to be decompressed and only then they can be accessed. When these files are opened in a web browser, they use some add-ons. The most common ones used by them are Alexa and PR add-on indicators. They also make use of some of the other types of plug-ins which are essential to the working of the Mozilla applications.

So, how do these files work?

These files install a browser extension when they are opened in a web browser. To gain access to and to install the local version of such files, opening them in any web browser like Firefox is the best way to go. In general cases, a file like this will automatically get installed into the system through the web browser and will be available for general use after the browser is restarted once.

So, how is this file format different from the other .zip files?

In technical terms, the XPI is nothing but the renamed versions of the ZIP files and this is the reason why any program meant for the compression or archive purpose will open the XPI file for decompression, once the XPI file is renamed from XPI to ZIP. The . xpi files are meant to provide extendibility to the browser. Thus, these files can be easily accessed through 2 different ways. Firstly, by opening them in an appropriate web browser where they get automatically installed and secondly, by renaming their extension to ZIP and then decompressing them with any archive program.

Open XPI File on Windows OS

  • Look for an XPI file you need to open in Windows Explorer and double-click on it
  • If the file doesn’t open automatically and you see a “Windows can’t open a file” message then you should search for a program which can open XPI file
  • If you have a program which can open XPI file installed on your computer then launch that program and select “File” and then “Open” or similar options from its menu to open the XPI file
  • If you don’t have the program installed then you need to try searching for “XPI wiki”, “how to open XPI file” in the search engine.
  • Once you find the application, install it on your computer
  • After the program is installed double-click on the XPI file to open it

File extensions are used by Windows operating system to specify what kind of information is stored in the file. Every file in Windows OS needs to have file extension and file extensions are used by Windows to determine which application it should use to open the file. Every application installed on Windows OS places information about which extensions it could open into the Windows registry and Windows uses this information to determine which application it should launch when user double-clicks on the file. If application which can open XPI file is not installed, then Windows will show ‘Windows can’t open XPI file’ message and buttons to either select an application on the computer which can open the file or to search the web for the application which can open XPI file.

Open SIS File

The files with the .sis extension are primarily categorized under the head of the Operating System Installer files. These are another type of files that should never be tampered with – not unless you want to crash the system! They are most commonly and extensively used by the Symbian system, created by the Symbian Company itself. The acronym sis stands for the Software Installation Script. Basically; it is just like an archive for the Symbian OS files. This is not an application file and thus, should not be mistaken with one. This type of installation file contains all the data which is necessary for the complete installation of a particular program package which is being run under the Symbian OS.

The actual application files which are used with the .sis files are the files in the .app format. They are actually added by the .sis files to that device in which the application is being installed. The Symbian command line tool which is used to create the SIS .sis files is the &qout;makesis&qout; command. This program also comes with the ‘createsis&qout; application program which may be used by the program developers while making applications for the Symbian system.

Who uses this type of file format?

Though the SIS .sis is mostly used by the Symbian system in the Nokia mobile devices, it is also used by other devices like Ericsson and Motorola phones. Generally, the Symbian S60 phone theme installation is the one which is created using these files. The creation of a .sis file can be done in many different ways. The most basic process of doing this is by creating a package definition file with the .pkg extension. The file with this extension contains the important information regarding the vendor, package name and the files included in the package.

Another way to create these file may be by using the Carbide.c++ IDE which can automatically build the .sis files for defining and creating the installation package. The different programs which can open the .sis files are Nokia Suite, Nokia PC Suite, UnSIS, Easy SIS Creator, Palm OS Emulator and SIS contents. The other applications which are compatible with this file type are Sisma by Digital Confidence, SiSoftware Sandra (a type of professional business script) by SiSoftware and the Student Information System Data File by Enray Consulting Inc.

Open SIS File on Windows OS

  • Look for an SIS file you need to open in Windows Explorer and double-click on it
  • If the file doesn’t open automatically and you see a “Windows can’t open a file” message then you should search for a program which can open SIS file
  • If you have a program which can open SIS file installed on your computer then launch that program and select “File” and then “Open” or similar options from its menu to open the SIS file
  • If you don’t have the program installed then you need to try searching for “SIS wiki”, “how to open SIS file” in the search engine.
  • Once you find the application, install it on your computer
  • After the program is installed double-click on the SIS file to open it

File extensions are used by Windows operating system to specify what kind of information is stored in the file. Every file in Windows OS needs to have file extension and file extensions are used by Windows to determine which application it should use to open the file. Every application installed on Windows OS places information about which extensions it could open into the Windows registry and Windows uses this information to determine which application it should launch when user double-clicks on the file. If application which can open SIS file is not installed, then Windows will show ‘Windows can’t open SIS file’ message and buttons to either select an application on the computer which can open the file or to search the web for the application which can open SIS file.

Open PUP File

PUP files made for the Puppy Linux OS are installer packages that run the installer when executed. PUP files are also commonly seen in PSPs where they are used for firmware updates. These updates can contain any combination of security patches, feature upgrades and additions and bug fixes. The usual name used is PS3UPDAT.PUP.

Open PUP File on Windows OS

  • Look for an PUP file you need to open in Windows Explorer and double-click on it
  • If the file doesn’t open automatically and you see a “Windows can’t open a file” message then you should search for a program which can open PUP file
  • If you have a program which can open PUP file installed on your computer then launch that program and select “File” and then “Open” or similar options from its menu to open the PUP file
  • If you don’t have the program installed then you need to try searching for “PUP wiki”, “how to open PUP file” in the search engine.
  • Once you find the application, install it on your computer
  • After the program is installed double-click on the PUP file to open it

File extensions are used by Windows operating system to specify what kind of information is stored in the file. Every file in Windows OS needs to have file extension and file extensions are used by Windows to determine which application it should use to open the file. Every application installed on Windows OS places information about which extensions it could open into the Windows registry and Windows uses this information to determine which application it should launch when user double-clicks on the file. If application which can open PUP file is not installed, then Windows will show ‘Windows can’t open PUP file’ message and buttons to either select an application on the computer which can open the file or to search the web for the application which can open PUP file.

Open PBP File

PBP files are firmware update packages for the Sony PSP handheld gaming device. Other than adding system updates, these files are also commonly used to install game demos into the device as well as unofficial \”homebrew\” games made by fans. This file format is also often used to hack the PSP.

Open PBP File on Windows OS

  • Look for an PBP file you need to open in Windows Explorer and double-click on it
  • If the file doesn’t open automatically and you see a “Windows can’t open a file” message then you should search for a program which can open PBP file
  • If you have a program which can open PBP file installed on your computer then launch that program and select “File” and then “Open” or similar options from its menu to open the PBP file
  • If you don’t have the program installed then you need to try searching for “PBP wiki”, “how to open PBP file” in the search engine.
  • Once you find the application, install it on your computer
  • After the program is installed double-click on the PBP file to open it

File extensions are used by Windows operating system to specify what kind of information is stored in the file. Every file in Windows OS needs to have file extension and file extensions are used by Windows to determine which application it should use to open the file. Every application installed on Windows OS places information about which extensions it could open into the Windows registry and Windows uses this information to determine which application it should launch when user double-clicks on the file. If application which can open PBP file is not installed, then Windows will show ‘Windows can’t open PBP file’ message and buttons to either select an application on the computer which can open the file or to search the web for the application which can open PBP file.

Open MST File

MST files are usually used by Windows as Installer Setup Transform files that contain information about software configuration required by the Windows Installer during an installation. It also makes for allowing custom parameters to be set during installation. It is also used for software testing for during development.

Open MST File on Windows OS

  • Look for an MST file you need to open in Windows Explorer and double-click on it
  • If the file doesn’t open automatically and you see a “Windows can’t open a file” message then you should search for a program which can open MST file
  • If you have a program which can open MST file installed on your computer then launch that program and select “File” and then “Open” or similar options from its menu to open the MST file
  • If you don’t have the program installed then you need to try searching for “MST wiki”, “how to open MST file” in the search engine.
  • Once you find the application, install it on your computer
  • After the program is installed double-click on the MST file to open it

File extensions are used by Windows operating system to specify what kind of information is stored in the file. Every file in Windows OS needs to have file extension and file extensions are used by Windows to determine which application it should use to open the file. Every application installed on Windows OS places information about which extensions it could open into the Windows registry and Windows uses this information to determine which application it should launch when user double-clicks on the file. If application which can open MST file is not installed, then Windows will show ‘Windows can’t open MST file’ message and buttons to either select an application on the computer which can open the file or to search the web for the application which can open MST file.

Open ISS File

ISS files are used by the InstallShield Windows installer program for generating silent responses during an installation process. It is a plain text file that has installation settings for guiding the whole installation process without any input from the user.

Open ISS File on Windows OS

  • Look for an ISS file you need to open in Windows Explorer and double-click on it
  • If the file doesn’t open automatically and you see a “Windows can’t open a file” message then you should search for a program which can open ISS file
  • If you have a program which can open ISS file installed on your computer then launch that program and select “File” and then “Open” or similar options from its menu to open the ISS file
  • If you don’t have the program installed then you need to try searching for “ISS wiki”, “how to open ISS file” in the search engine.
  • Once you find the application, install it on your computer
  • After the program is installed double-click on the ISS file to open it

File extensions are used by Windows operating system to specify what kind of information is stored in the file. Every file in Windows OS needs to have file extension and file extensions are used by Windows to determine which application it should use to open the file. Every application installed on Windows OS places information about which extensions it could open into the Windows registry and Windows uses this information to determine which application it should launch when user double-clicks on the file. If application which can open ISS file is not installed, then Windows will show ‘Windows can’t open ISS file’ message and buttons to either select an application on the computer which can open the file or to search the web for the application which can open ISS file.