How to Open TMP Files

A guide to viewing the contents of a TMP file

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: April 2, 2024 Fact Checked

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

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1
Determine which app created the file. 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]
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- 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]
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A context menu will expand.

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This will open a list of recommended applications on a sub-menu.
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Select the corresponding app for this TMP file. This opens the file in its original app.^{[3]
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- 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.