Five Steps to Open PNG Files

If you have PNG files that you need to open, but you’re not sure how, follow these steps.


Download Universal File Viewer (File Magic) 

Optional Offer for File Magic by Solvusoft | EULA | Privacy Policy | Terms | Uninstall


Step 1: Double-click the file.

Locate the PNG file icon and double-click it. If you have the right program installed, it should open the file automatically. If it doesn’t, move on to Step 2.

Step 2: Look for another program.

If the PNG file doesn’t open when you double-click it, you probably don’t have the right program on your computer. There are several popular programs that can be used to open a PNG file. Try one of the three most common programs: Fireworks Image File, Portable Network Graphic, or Paint Shop Pro Browser Catalog.

Step 3: Check the file type.

If none of the above programs will open your PNG file, check the file type to make sure you have a program that can open that type of file. Most PNG files are Raster Image Files, but there’s a chance it might be another type.

You can find this information in the file’s properties. On a Windows computer, just right-click the file and click properties, and look for the file type under “Type of File.” On a Mac computer, right-click the file and click “More info,” and look for the file type under “Kind.”

Step 4: Get help from a developer.

If you can’t figure out how to open a PNG file, a developer can probably tell you how. Find the program you have in the table below and contact the developer of that program.

Program Name Developer Name
Fireworks Image File Macromedia
Portable Network Graphic Public
Paint Shop Pro Browser Catalog Corel Corporation
Spore Creature File Electronic Arts Inc.

Step 5: Find a universal file viewer.

The easiest way to open a PNG file, or any kind of file, is to use a universal file viewer like File Magic (Download). You can use it to open many different file formats. If it’s not compatible, the file will just open in binary.

Recommended Download



Download Universal File Viewer (File Magic) 

Optional Offer for File Magic by Solvusoft | EULA | Privacy Policy | Terms | Uninstall