Easy Ways to Open Null Files

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Is there a .null file on your computer that you want to open and inspect? Be careful! Most .null files are corrupted files that have been generated by viruses or malware that came with some software you've downloaded. Other times, you're emailed a .null file and asked to pay a fee to open it, but those are scams that you shouldn't fall for. This wikiHow article teaches you what to do with NULL files you find on your Windows or Mac computer, Android, iPhone, or iPad.

Things You Should Know

  • NULL files are usually corrupted files that were generated by a virus or malware.
  • Some third-party apps may create files ending with .null when they encounter errors.
  • Some NULL files will open with the computer's default text editor (like Notepad or TextEdit).
  • Tap the file on your phone or tablet to see if you can open it without a computer.
Section 1 of 3:

Scan for Viruses and Malware

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Open-Null-File-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-Null-File-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Open-Null-File-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-Null-File-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":550,"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 finding more and more .null files on your computer, your PC or Mac may be infected with the NULL virus. [1] This virus encrypts the files on your computer and gives them the ".null" file extension. If you attempt to open these files, you'll be prompted to pay a hefty ransom. The only way to get rid of this computer virus is to run a scan and follow the on-screen instructions to remove the corrupted files and malicious code.
    • Never pay a ransom to access to your files. You'll most likely end up paying a ransom and still be left with encrypted files.
    • If you only have one NULL file, it's likely an innocent file that was generated when an app you installed encountered an error. Still, it doesn't hurt to run a scan to rule out threats.
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

Using a Windows or Mac Computer

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e0\/Open-Null-File-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-Null-File-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e0\/Open-Null-File-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-Null-File-Step-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>"}
    If you don't have a virus, you can try opening the NULL file in a text editor to see what's inside. This won't always work, as the file may contain code that can't be translated to text.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Open-Null-File-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-Null-File-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Open-Null-File-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-Null-File-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":545,"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 on a Mac, press Ctrl as you click or press the trackpad with two fingers to right-click .
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ed\/Open-Null-File-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-Null-File-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ed\/Open-Null-File-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-Null-File-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":542,"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>"}
    You'll see this on the menu.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/25\/Open-Null-File-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-Null-File-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/25\/Open-Null-File-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-Null-File-Step-5.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>"}
    If you're using a Windows computer, you should see Notepad. If you're using a Mac, you'll see TextEdit instead. This will attempt to display a plain text version of the NULL file in your text editor.
    • If the file is a jumbled mess, it's not a text file. It's possible it's some sort of media file—you can try using a media player like Final Media Player or VLC Media Player to open it.
    • You may want to use some sort of universal file viewer if the text editor doesn't work.
    • Since a file ending with .null isn't going to be important to any apps, it's likely safe to delete.
    5. Advertisement
Section 3 of 3:

Using an Android, iPhone, or iPad

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/Open-Null-File-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-Null-File-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/49\/Open-Null-File-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-Null-File-Step-6.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>"}
    Tap My Files (Android) or Files (iPhone/iPad) to see the files on your phone or tablet.
    • The file manager's name may vary depending on your Android version.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/78\/Open-Null-File-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-Null-File-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/78\/Open-Null-File-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-Null-File-Step-7.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 might say "Recently Downloaded" instead. However, the .null file should be there if you downloaded it as an email attachment.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Open-Null-File-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-Null-File-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Open-Null-File-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-Null-File-Step-8.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 have compatible apps for the NULL file, it will open.
    • If it doesn't open, you most likely need to use your computer, or simply delete it.
    4. 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

      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!

      Warnings

      • You should leave any NULL files alone and not open them. Any that you do open will result in illegible text. [2]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      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
      Open TMP Files
      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
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about software, check out our in-depth interview with Brandon Phipps .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/threats/malware-encyclopedia-description?Name=Virus:DOS/Null&ThreatID=-2147261952
      2. ↑ https://file.org/extension/null

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 19,414 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement