XPI files are a type of archive file. They are essentially renamed ZIP files used by Mozilla Firefox and similar Mozilla programs. The file type is specifically used as an extension archive – in other words, it stores files used to add additional functions and programs to an existing Mozilla browser. Commonly, these files will contain things like RDF and CSS files as well as the actual extension files in separate folders.
How can you open XPI files?
XPI files need to be installed to be of any use – for this purpose, they can be dragged into any Mozilla Browser, or alternatively opened with one directly. Related programs like Thunderbird can also open these files, but only if the extensions with them work with the program – if they don’t the installation process will fail.
There are a few other programs that also use this filetype. You can also rename them into ZIP files if you want to open them and look at the contents. As renamed ZIP files, all programs capable of unzipping archives can open the file.
What programs work with XPI files?
In addition to Mozilla software, discontinued programs like Netscape, Songbird and NVU HTML editor also supported this file type. If you still use one of them – they all provide native support for this type of file.
Renamed as .ZIP files, programs like WinZIP, 7ZIP or WinRAR can open them.
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