File extension DSN
| File type | Microsoft Database Source Name And Settings Format |
| Developer | N/A |
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What is a DSN file?
File with a .DSN extension contains description of source data – name, info on where a specific database can be found, server address and necessary logging data, along with drivers necessary to establish a connection with the database, usually contained in form of text. Database client can also use entries in the Windows register instead of DSN files.
DSN format is utilised by the ODBC application drivers in order to connect with a database, for instance – with an SQL Server or Microsoft Access. Files can be opened with the ODBC Data Source Administrator software, which is a resource of Windows system; one of the managing tools available in the Control Panel or Menu Start programs.
Program(s) that can open the .DSN file
Mac OS
How to open DSN files
If you cannot open the DSN file on your computer - there may be several reasons. The first and most important reason (the most common) is the lack of a suitable software that supports DSN among those that are installed on your device.
A very simple way to solve this problem is to find and download the appropriate application. The first part of the task has already been done – the software supporting the DSN file can be found in the table. Now just download and install the appropriate application.
Possible problems with the DSN format files
The inability to open and operate the DSN file does not necessarily mean that you do not have an appropriate software installed on your computer. There may be other problems that also block our ability to operate the Microsoft Database Source Name And Settings Format file. Below is a list of possible problems.
- Corruption of a DSN file which is being opened
- Incorrect links to the DSN file in registry entries.
- Accidental deletion of the description of the DSN from the Windows registry
- Incomplete installation of an application that supports the DSN format
- The DSN file which is being opened is infected with an undesirable malware.
- The computer does not have enough hardware resources to cope with the opening of the DSN file.
- Drivers of equipment used by the computer to open a DSN file are out of date.
If you are sure that all of these reasons do not exist in your case (or have already been eliminated), the DSN file should operate with your programs without any problem. If the problem with the DSN file has not been solved, it may be due to the fact that in this case there is also another rare problem with the DSN file. In this case, the only you can do is to ask for assistance of a professional staff.
Similar extensions
| .abs | Absolute Database Single-file Database Format |
| .accdb | Microsoft Access 2007/2010 Database Format |
| .accdc | Microsoft Access 2007/2010 Digitally Signed Database Format |
| .accde | Microsoft Access 2007/2010 Compiled Execute Only Format |
| .accdr | Microsoft Access 2007/2010 Runtime Mode Database Format |
| .accdt | Microsoft Access 2007/2010 Database Template Format |
| .accdw | Microsoft Access Link Format |
| .accft | Microsoft Access Template Format |
This extension
can be converted to:
How to associate the file with an installed software?
If you want to associate a file with a new program (e.g. my-file.DSN) you have two ways to do it. The first and the easiest one is to right-click on the selected DSN file. From the drop-down menu select "Choose default program", then click "Browse" and find the desired program. The whole operation must be confirmed by clicking OK. The second and more difficult to do is associate the DSN file extension to the corresponding software in the Windows Registry.
Is there one way to open unknown files?
Many files contain only simple text data. It is possible that while opening unknown files (e.g. DSN) with a simple text editor like Windows Notepad will allow us to see some of the data encoded in the file. This method allows you to preview the contents of many files, but probably not in such a structure as a program dedicated to support them.