Information, tips and instructions

File Extension BIN

File extension BIN is mostly associated to the binary files created on a computer system. These files are typically represented by binary codes in a form of hexadecimal characters. This extension is also associated with extension used for UNIX executable files. These files can run on cross-platform.

Some BIN files are actually created during software installation and remain on a system unless the application is uninstalled. These files are only accessible by the application that created them. Notepad can be used in trying to view the content of the file however, unreadable text may appear.

Bin files are prone to virus infection. Some known virus and worms inject malicious codes to bin files and compress it to prevent detection by anti-virus applications. There are also several virus-worm characteristic programs that rename EXE files into BIN files to prevent applications from running a normal process.

There are plenty of applications that can open binary files. In Windows XP, the Exe2bin command converts an executable file into binary format. The syntax for the command is: exe2bin [input file] [output file with destination]. To properly open a binary file a hex editor is recommended. Clean Disk Security application can open bin files in formats such as text, hex, and decimal.

Similar file extensions

• File Extension EXE - Executable File
• File Extension DLL - Dynamic Link Library