Does anyone know why when I go to download something, it always comes up as being a binary file?

Question

It was hardly ever like that before, now everything I try to download is coming up that way. Even things I have downloaded before are coming up like that. Thanks!

Answer 1

Binary files are executables, object files, image files, sound files, and many file formats are binary files. What makes them binary is merely the fact that each byte of a binary file can be one of 256 bit patterns

There are Microsoft Office Binary (doc, xls, ppt) File Formats, too.

There may have been a change in your File Types relationships to specific programs.  Look at the Folder Options, File Types tab (located in Control Panel) and scroll to any format type to see program associated with it.

Your browser may have the same problem.  Firefox makes it much easier to change the program needed to open a file type.  With IE, you have to use the Folder Options.

Ron

Answer 2

You'll need to be more specific, but I think you are using the wrong programs to open them.  Word documents, for example, can only be opened by a program that can handle Word documents.