I cannot open a GPG file. What should I do? Help!
Virtually anyone has encountered some problems with opening unknown files while working on a computer. It can be very frustrating. Yet such problems, not only with GPG files, can be addressed in a standard way. Follow the steps below and we can guarantee that your problem with opening GPG will be resolved!
GPG File Extension
- File type GNU Privacy Guard Public Keyring
- File developer Free Software Foundation
- File category Misc Files
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File popularity rating
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What is a(n) GPG file?
The file with GPG extension was generated using the free file encryption program - GNU Privacy Guard (GnuPG). The file stores a security key in binary format necessary to decrypt data encoded in the OpenPGP standard based on RFC2440 using Pretty Good Privacy (.PGP).
How to open GPG file?
If given user account does not have necessary permissions to open files with GPG extension, it is highly probable that no program that supports given files is installed on the users’ system. Below is a list of actions user should pursue in order to resolve most common problems.
Step 1. Download and install application that supports GPG files
After the application has been installed, the system should automatically open GPG files with given application. Below is the list of relevant programs along with operating systems they are available for:
Programs that support GPG files
Step 2. Verify whether GPG files are associated with appropriate software
It is possible that an application that supports GPG files is not associated with such files. In such case, the program should by manually associated with GPG files (right-click on the file icon → Properties → General Tab → In submenu "Open with" and click on "Change" button. System will display a list of suggested programs that support GPG files. Choose the application by checking the box "Always use the selected application to open this kind of files". System will store this information in its registry and use it to open GPG files with the selected program.
Changing GPG file association in registry
File association for GPG files can be edited manually by editing appropriate entry in Windows System Registry. However, it is discouraged as it may introduce errors to registry if not done properly and may even damage the system.
Step 3. Check GPG file for other errors
- GPG file was not copied properly from storage medium.
- Antivirus application prevents opening GPG files. In that case it is recommended to exercise extreme caution and recover or delete infected GPG file. It is also advised to scan the entire system for malicious software and viruses with antivirus software.
- For GPG files downloaded from the internet it is advised to check if the file has been downloaded completely and is not corrupted. If not, the file should be re-downloaded.
