当您遇到您（和您的操作系统）无法识别的文件类型(file type)时，通常很难弄清楚如何打开它。毕竟，每个文件都有可以打开它的软件，从Windows 中的 DAT 文件(DAT files in Windows)到DOCX或PPTX等(PPTX)Office格式。即使是没有扩展名的文件(files without extensions)也需要正确的软件才能打开它们。
您可能不认识的一种文件格式是CFG文件格式，但什么是CFG文件？CFG文件通常是其他软件（包括应用程序和游戏）的通用配置文件，并且受Windows和Mac支持。这是您需要了解的有关CFG文件的所有信息（包括如何打开它们）。
什么是 CFG 文件，它安全吗？(What Is a CFG File and Is It Safe?)
CFG文件中的“CFG”代表配置，简明扼要地概括了它对Windows和Mac用户的用途。CFG文件是其他软件用来自定义工作方式的配置文件。替代(Alternative)文件类型，例如CONFIG文件的“ (CONFIG)CONFIG ” ，以类似的方式工作。
作为普遍认可的标准，CFG文件很容易被Windows和Mac识别，但这并不意味着文件本身遵循典型格式。虽然CFG文件是一种文本文件形式并且可以轻松更改，但在打开或编辑它们时需要小心。
例如，更改某个软件使用的CFG文件中的选项可能会导致该软件不再正常工作。编辑游戏配置文件就是一个例子，通过修改链接的CFG(CFG)文件中的选项来改变角色的操作方式可以使角色不可战胜（或者相反，很容易被击败）。
典型的CFG文件将使用标准格式，例如 XML 或JSON，使其更易于编辑。但是，某些CFG文件使用开发人员设计的自定义格式和样式。(CFG)这使得在不依赖开发人员支持（或使用试错法）的情况下更改这些文件变得更加困难。
在开始编辑CFG文件之前，您应该了解它将如何影响它链接到的软件。软件开发人员可能会鼓励这样做，提供文档或帮助指南来帮助您。然而，一些开发人员积极反对这种做法，将反复试验作为查看您的更改是否有效的唯一方法。
如果您不确定所做的更改，请务必先备份您的文件(back up your files)。如果更改错误或导致不稳定，您可以轻松恢复到文件的较早备份版本。
如何在 Windows 10 上打开 CFG 文件(How to Open CFG Files on Windows 10)
CFG文件扩展名被广泛认为是一种软件配置文件，这也是软件开发人员经常使用它的原因。使用CFG文件进行配置的软件范围很广，包括商业设计软件、文本编辑器和游戏。
这使得Windows 10用户可以使用内置的记事本(Notepad)应用程序轻松打开CFG文件。但是，记事本(Notepad)没有提供额外的格式化选项，这使得处理大型CFG文件变得更加困难。第三方记事本替代品(Notepad replacements)提供更多功能，包括 Notepad++，但不是必需的。
- 要使用本机记事本(Notepad)应用程序打开CFG文件，请在文件所在位置打开(CFG)Windows 文件资源管理器(Windows File Explorer)。如果Windows自动识别CFG文件，请双击它以在记事本(Notepad)中打开它。或者，右键单击CFG文件并选择打开(Open With )方式选项。
- 在你想如何打开这个文件？(How do you want to open this file? )菜单，选择更多应用程序(More Apps)选项。从列表中选择合适的文本文件阅读器，例如Notepad, Notepad++或Wordpad。虽然Microsoft Word属于此类别，但Word会将CFG文件转换为影响文件格式的不寻常格式，因此请避免将其用于CFG文件。
如果您希望您选择的软件始终打开CFG文件，请选中始终使用此文件打开 .cfg 文件(Always use this file to open .cfg files )复选框。选择确定(OK )按钮打开文件。
在您选择的文本文件编辑器中打开文件后，您可以进行更改。但请务必在之后将文件保存为CFG 格式(CFG format )。某些文本编辑器，例如Wordpad ，可能会在保存过程中自动将您的文件转换为TXT文件格式。(TXT )
如果发生这种情况，该文件将不再用作配置文件，因此请确保在完成编辑后检查该文件是否以CFG扩展名保存。
如何在 Mac 上打开 CFG 文件(How to Open CFG Files on Mac)
与Windows软件一样，为Mac(Macs)设计的软件使用CFG（或CONFIG）文件格式进行附加配置。macOS 会识别该文件，并应自动尝试使用内置的TextEdit应用程序打开它。
然而，像Notepad for Windows一样，TextEdit不是为格式化而设计的。如果您正在处理具有很多选项的大型CFG文件，则使用(CFG)Atom或MacVim等第三方编辑器可以更轻松地理解和编辑它。但是，如果您正在寻找Mac的内置CFG编辑器，则使用TextEdit是最佳选择。
- 要在Mac上使用TextEdit打开(TextEdit)CFG文件，请打开Finder应用程序并找到您要打开的CFG文件。(CFG)如果您的Mac配置为这样做，请双击该文件。它应该会自动在TextEdit中打开。(TextEdit)如果没有，请右键单击该文件并从选项菜单中选择Open With > Other
- 在选择应用程序(Choose an application )框中，找到合适的应用程序以从Applications文件夹中打开(Applications )CFG文件（例如TextEdit或Atom）。如果您想将CFG文件与该软件关联，请选中始终打开(Always Open With )方式复选框，以节省您的时间并确保所有未来的CFG文件都将自动打开。它还将打开您之后选择的CFG文件。(CFG)准备就绪后，选择打开(Open)以打开文件。
与Windows上的(Windows)CFG文件一样，您需要确保使用文件所在的格式正确编辑文件（例如，如果文件使用JSON格式，则遵循(JSON)JSON样式）。如果您对文件进行了不正确的更改，您的软件可能会停止工作。
您还需要确保您选择的文本编辑器将文件保存为CFG 文件格式(CFG file format)。TextEdit 将自动保存现有文件而不更改格式。但是，如果您使用的是第三方文本编辑器，则需要在文件保存过程中确认它默认为CFG 。
在 Windows 和 Mac 上配置软件(Configuring Software on Windows and Mac)
借助Notepad(Notepad)和TextEdit等应用程序，您无需第三方应用程序即可在Windows和Mac上编辑(Mac)CFG文件，除非您正在寻找额外的功能。只要您确保首先备份文件，这使您可以轻松地快速配置软件和游戏。
毕竟，一个小改动就可能完全破坏您正在使用的软件，尤其是对于关键配置文件。如果您担心，您可以在Windows 10和Mac中(Mac)恢复以前版本的文件，或者您可以考虑使用(restore previous versions of files)Google Backup and Sync等第三方解决方案来确保您的配置文件安全。
What Is a CFG File and How to Open It on Windows and Mac
When you еncoυnter a file type that you (and your operating system) doesn’t recognize, it’s often difficult to figure out how to open it. After all, every file has software that opens it, from DAT files in Windows to Office formats like DOCX or PPTX. Even files without extensions require the right software to open them.
One file format that you might not recognize is the CFG file format, but what is a CFG file? CFG files are typically generic configuration files for other software, including applications and games, and are supported by Windows and Mac. Here’s everything you need to know about CFG files (including how to open them).
What Is a CFG File and Is It Safe?
The “CFG” in CFG file stands for configuration, which succinctly sums up its purpose for Windows and Mac users. CFG files are configuration files used by other software to customize how things work. Alternative file types, such as “CONFIG” for CONFIG files, work in a similar way.
As a universally-recognized standard, CFG files are easily recognized by Windows and Mac, but that doesn’t mean the files themselves follow a typical format. While CFG files are a form of text file and can be changed easily, you’ll need to take care when you’re opening or editing them.
For instance, changing options in a CFG file used by a piece of software may result in that software no longer working correctly. Editing game configuration files is one example, where changing the way a character operates by modifying options in the linked CFG files could make the character undefeatable (or, by contrast, easily defeated).
Typical CFG files will use a standard format, such as XML or JSON, making it easier to edit. Some CFG files, however, use a custom format and style designed by the developers. This makes it harder to change those files without relying on developer support (or by using trial-and-error).
Before you start editing a CFG file, you should understand how it will impact the software it links to. The software developers may encourage this, offering documentation or help guides to help you. Some developers actively discourage this, however, leaving trial-and-error as the only way to see if your changes work.
If you’re unsure about the changes you’re making, make sure to back up your files first. If the changes are wrong or cause instability, you can easily revert back to an earlier, backed up version of the file.
How to Open CFG Files on Windows 10
The CFG file extension is widely recognized as a software configuration file, which is why software developers often use it. The range of software using CFG files for configuration is vast, including commercial design software, text editors, and games.
That makes it easy for Windows 10 users to open a CFG file using the built-in Notepad application. However, Notepad offers no additional formatting options, making it harder to work through a large CFG file. Third-party Notepad replacements offer more features, including Notepad++, but aren’t essential.
- To open a CFG file using the native Notepad app, open Windows File Explorer at the location of the file. If Windows automatically recognizes the CFG file, double-click it to open it in Notepad. Alternatively, right-click the CFG file and select the Open With option.
- In the How do you want to open this file? menu, select the More Apps option. From the list, choose a suitable text file reader, such as Notepad, Notepad++, or Wordpad. While Microsoft Word fits into this category, Word converts CFG files into an unusual format that affects the formatting of the file, so avoid using it for CFG files.
If you want the software you’ve selected to always open a CFG file, select the Always use this file to open .cfg files checkbox. Select the OK button to open the file.
Once the file opens in your chosen text file editor, you can make changes. But be sure to save the file in the CFG format afterwards. Some text editors, such as Wordpad, may automatically convert your file to the TXT file format during the save process.
If this happens, the file will no longer work as a configuration file, so make sure to check that the file is saved with the CFG extension once you’ve finished editing it.
How to Open CFG Files on Mac
Like Windows software, software designed for Macs use the CFG (or CONFIG) file format for additional configuration. macOS recognizes the file and should automatically attempt to open it using the built-in TextEdit app.
Like Notepad for Windows, however, TextEdit isn’t designed for formatting. If you’re dealing with a large CFG file with a lot of options, it can be easier to understand and edit it using third-party editors like Atom or MacVim. But using TextEdit is the best option if you’re looking for a built-in CFG editor for Mac.
- To open a CFG file on Mac using TextEdit, open the Finder app and locate the CFG file you’re looking to open. If your Mac is configured to do so, double-click the file. It should open in TextEdit automatically. If it doesn’t, right-click the file and select Open With > Other from the options menu.
- In the Choose an application box, find a suitable app to open the CFG file from the Applications folder (for instance, TextEdit or Atom). If you want to associate the CFG file with that software, select the Always Open With checkbox, saving you time and ensuring that all future CFG files will open automatically. It will also open the CFG file you’ve selected afterwards. When you’re ready, select Open to open the file.
Like CFG files on Windows, you’ll need to make sure that you correctly edit the file using the format it’s in (eg. following JSON styling if the file uses the JSON format). If you make incorrect changes to the file, your software could stop working.
You’ll also need to make sure that your chosen text editor saves the file in the CFG file format. TextEdit will automatically save over the existing file without changing the format. If you’re using a third-party text editor, however, you’ll need to confirm that it defaults to CFG during the file saving process.
Configuring Software on Windows and Mac
Thanks to apps like Notepad and TextEdit, you don’t need third-party apps to edit CFG files on Windows and Mac unless you’re looking for extra features. This gives you the freedom to quickly configure software and games with ease, as long as you make sure to back up your files first.
After all, one small change can entirely break the software you’re using, especially for critical configuration files. If you’re worried, you can restore previous versions of files in both Windows 10 and Mac, or you can think about using a third-party solution like Google Backup and Sync to keep your configuration files safe instead.
