VIR File Extension

What is VIR file?

VIR (Virus-Infected File) is a suffix added by antivirus program to infected files. For example, and infected file document.DOC will be saved as document.doc.VIR. Similar mechanism is used by many antivirus software programs. Changing the extension of infected file prevents opening the file either manually or automatically.

Managing VIR files

VIR files should not be open as VIR file or after manually changing their extension. The most secure way to edit such files is directly by antivirus program. A possibility that a file was falsely tagged by antivirus program as infected exists, but such events are not frequent. Damages caused by opening VIR file can be irreversible.

Programs which support VIR file extension

The following list contains programs grouped by 2 operating systems that support VIR files. Files with VIR suffix can be copied to any mobile device or system platform, but it may not be possible to open them properly on target system.

Updated: 12/02/2023

How to open file with VIR extension?

Problems with accessing VIR may be due to various reasons. On the bright side, the most encountered issues pertaining to Virus-Infected Format files aren’t complex. In most cases they can be addressed swiftly and effectively without assistance from a specialist. The list below will guide you through the process of addressing the encountered problem.

Step 1. Install Norton AntiVirus software

The most common reason for such problems is the lack of proper applications that supports VIR files installed on the system. The most obvious solution is to download and install Norton AntiVirus or one to the listed programs: Avira Antivirus, Kaspersky Anti-Virus. On the top of the page a list that contains all programs grouped based on operating systems supported can be found. If you want to download Norton AntiVirus installer in the most secured manner, we suggest you visit Symantec Corporation website and download from their official repositories.

Step 2. Verify the you have the latest version of Norton AntiVirus

You still cannot access VIR files although Norton AntiVirus is installed on your system? Make sure that the software is up to date. Software developers may implement support for more modern file formats in updated versions of their products. The reason that Norton AntiVirus cannot handle files with VIR may be that the software is outdated. All of the file formats that were handled just fine by the previous versions of given program should be also possible to open using Norton AntiVirus.

Step 3. Associate Virus-Infected Format files with Norton AntiVirus

If the issue has not been solved in the previous step, you should associate VIR files with latest version of Norton AntiVirus you have installed on your device. The process of associating file formats with default application may differ in details depending on platform, but the basic procedure is very similar.

Selecting the first-choice application in Windows

• Clicking the VIR with right mouse button will bring a menu from which you should select the Open with option
• Click Choose another app and then select More apps option
• The last step is to select Look for another app on this PC option supply the directory path to the folder where Norton AntiVirus is installed. Now all that is left is to confirm your choice by selecting Always use this app to open VIR files and clicking OK.

Selecting the first-choice application in Mac OS

• From the drop-down menu, accessed by clicking the file with VIR extension, select Information
• Proceed to the Open with section. If its closed, click the title to access available options
• From the list choose the appropriate program and confirm by clicking Change for all....
• If you followed the previous steps a message should appear: This change will be applied to all files with VIR extension. Next, click the Continue button to finalize the process.

Step 4. Check the VIR for errors

Should the problem still occur after following steps 1-3, check if the VIR file is valid. Being unable to access the file can be related to various issues.

1. Verify that the VIR in question is not infected with a computer virus

If the VIR is indeed infected, it is possible that the malware is blocking it from opening. Scan the VIR file as well as your computer for malware or viruses. If the scanner detected that the VIR file is unsafe, proceed as instructed by the antivirus program to neutralize the threat.

2. Verify that the VIR file’s structure is intact

Did you receive the VIR file in question from a different person? Ask him/her to send it one more time. The file might have been copied erroneously and the data lost integrity, which precludes from accessing the file. If the VIR file has been downloaded from the internet only partially, try to redownload it.

3. Ensure that you have appropriate access rights

Sometimes in order to access files user need to have administrative privileges. Switch to an account that has required privileges and try opening the Virus-Infected Format file again.

4. Check whether your system can handle Norton AntiVirus

If the systems has insufficient resources to open VIR files, try closing all currently running applications and try again.

5. Ensure that you have the latest drivers and system updates and patches installed

Latest versions of programs and drivers may help you solve problems with Virus-Infected Format files and ensure security of your device and operating system. Outdated drivers or software may have caused the inability to use a peripheral device needed to handle VIR files.

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