How to Create, Open and Edit GIFs

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Learn different ways to open GIFs
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While many web browsers will play GIFS, you might want to open them in other programs. This wikiHow will show you how to open GIFs using a web browser, Quick Look on Mac, or Photos in Windows.

Things You Should Know

  • Open a GIF on your computer's web browser by right-clicking the file in File Explorer or Finder then going to "Open with" and choosing your browser.
  • If you're using a Mac, select the file in Finder then press the Spacebar to open it in Quick Look.
  • If you're using a Windows computer, right-click the GIF in File Explorer, then go to "Open with" and select "Photos".
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using a Web Browser on a Computer

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Open-GIFs-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-GIFs-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Open-GIFs-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-GIFs-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you're using a Windows computer, you'll most likely search through your File Explorer to locate your file. If you're using a Mac computer, you'll most likely search Finder to locate your GIF.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0a\/Open-GIFs-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-GIFs-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0a\/Open-GIFs-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-GIFs-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When you right-click the GIF, a menu will open to the right of your cursor.
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  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/24\/Open-GIFs-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-GIFs-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/24\/Open-GIFs-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-GIFs-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This is usually in the second grouping of menu options and a list of programs and applications that can open or play the GIF will pop up.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d4\/Open-GIFs-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-GIFs-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d4\/Open-GIFs-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-GIFs-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Popular browsers include Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, and Internet Explorer.
    • If your browser isn't in the list, click Choose another app at the bottom of the menu. This will open a list of all the applications on your computer, including your web browser.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using Quick Look on Mac

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f4\/Open-GIFs-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-GIFs-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f4\/Open-GIFs-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-GIFs-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Finder is a program that is always running in the background when your Mac is on, so you can press Alt + Tab ↹ to open it. You can also press ⌘ Cmd + N . [1]
    • You'll also see the application's icon in your Dock.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Open-GIFs-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-GIFs-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Open-GIFs-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-GIFs-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The default save location for most of your downloads is the "Downloads" folder, so you might want to check there if you can't find it.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/eb\/Open-GIFs-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-GIFs-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/eb\/Open-GIFs-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-GIFs-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The file should highlight in blue to indicate it is selected.
    • When you press the Space bar, a Quick Look window will open. [2]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using Photos in Windows

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/53\/Open-GIFs-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-GIFs-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/53\/Open-GIFs-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-GIFs-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The default save location for most of your downloads is the "Downloads" folder, so you might want to check there if you can't find it.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/69\/Open-GIFs-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-GIFs-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/69\/Open-GIFs-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-GIFs-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When you right-click the GIF, a menu will open to the right of your cursor.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Open-GIFs-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-GIFs-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Open-GIFs-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-GIFs-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This is usually in the second grouping of menu options and a list of programs and applications that can open or play the GIF will pop-up.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2e\/Open-GIFs-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-GIFs-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2e\/Open-GIFs-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-GIFs-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The application will open with your GIF. You can view the animated image, but you cannot edit or pause it. [3]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://alvinalexander.com/mac-os-x/mac-osx-finder-new-window-keyboard-keystroke
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/view-and-edit-files-with-quick-look-mh14119/mac
      3. ↑ https://www.intowindows.com/4-free-apps-to-view-animated-gif-photos-in-windows-10/

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