How to Open TMP Files

PDF download Download Article
A guide to viewing the contents of a TMP file
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to open and view the contents of a TMP file on your computer. TMP files, also called "temp" files, are automatically created by apps to temporarily hold data while the app is in use. You can open a TMP file with the same program that created it on your computer.

Opening a TMP File

Right-click on the TMP file and select Open with from the menu that appears. Select the app that your TMP file was created with—if you’re not sure, look at the icon displayed on the file. If the file displays a Word icon, for example, open it with the Microsoft Word app.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/Open-Tmp-Files-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-Tmp-Files-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/Open-Tmp-Files-Step-1.jpg\/aid11147479-v4-728px-Open-Tmp-Files-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"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>"}
    TMP files, which end with the .tmp file extension, should display the icon of the app in which it was created. For example, if the file was created by Microsoft Word, the file should have a Word icon (a W). [1]
    • Various apps, including Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, create TMP files to store data while the app is in use. These files are usually deleted automatically as soon as you close the app. [2]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/Open-Tmp-Files-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-Tmp-Files-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/Open-Tmp-Files-Step-2.jpg\/aid11147479-v4-728px-Open-Tmp-Files-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":544,"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>"}
    A context menu will expand.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Open-Tmp-Files-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-Tmp-Files-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Open-Tmp-Files-Step-3.jpg\/aid11147479-v4-728px-Open-Tmp-Files-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":544,"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 will open a list of recommended applications on a sub-menu.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Open-Tmp-Files-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-Tmp-Files-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Open-Tmp-Files-Step-4.jpg\/aid11147479-v4-728px-Open-Tmp-Files-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"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 opens the file in its original app. [3]
    • For example, if this is a TMP created by Word, select Microsoft Word to open it.
    • If you don't see the correct app here, click Choose another app or Other at the bottom of the "Open with" sub-menu.
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Open BIN Files
      How to
      Extract a GZ File on Windows, Linux, Mac, & Mobile
      How to
      Open DLL Files
      How to
      Install APK Files on Android
      4 Simple Ways to Scan and Save Documents
      How to
      Compress Large Files
      How to
      Open a DAT File
      6 Simple Ways to Play SWF Files Without Adobe Flash Player
      How to
      Open a .Zip File Without Winzip
      3 Easy Ways to Protect a Folder With a Password
      How to
      Use 7-Zip to Compress Files to the Smallest Size
      How to
      Create a TXT File on Mac
      How to
      Delete Unnecessary Files to Free Up Storage
      Opening a DICOM File: 2 Free Viewers + Photoshop
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/description-of-how-word-creates-temporary-files-66b112fb-d2c0-8f40-a0be-70a367cc4c85
      2. ↑ https://fileinfo.com/extension/tmp
      3. ↑ https://fileinfo.com/extension/tmp

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Determine which program created the TMP file.
      2. Right-click on the TMP file.
      3. Hover over Open with .
      4. Select the program that created this file.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 169,152 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement