How to Open CDFs (5 Steps)

By Stephen Lilley

Computer files with a name that ends in ".CDF" are called "Content Definition Files." These files are used by one of two programs that only work with the Windows operating system. If you want to open a .CDF file that you've found on your computer or downloaded from the Internet, you're going to need to make sure that you have either ECMG Reader or ECMG Explorer installed on your machine.

Step 1

Click "Start."

Step 2

Click "Programs."

Step 3

Click "ECMG."

Step 4

Click on the icon for the program you'll be using (either ECMG Reader or ECMG Explorer, whichever is installed on your computer) to open your CDF file.

Step 5

Click "File" and then "Open" in the program window. Select the CDF file on your computer and then click "Open." The contents of the CDF file will now be open on screen and you can view the data contained within the file.

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