Open HQX files

  • Full name
    Macintosh BinHex Archive
  • Developer
    N/A
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a HQX file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a HQX file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your HQX file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is HQX file?

HQX files are binary files, such as images or music files, which have been converted using the BinHex program to send them as ASCII files via email. These so-called BinHex encoded files are larger than the original, but have the advantage of combining both "forks" of the Mac OS file system in an archive and less prone to file transfer problems.

More info

Hqx was used very often up to Mac OS 9, on Mac OSX there are better alternatives with eg dmg or zip. In addition, fault tolerance in data transmission no longer plays such an important role today. Until Mac OS 9, HQX files should be automatically opened by the default installed StuffIt Expander, as of Mac OSX an additional program must be installed.

Although the HQX format is not used under Windows, with the StuffIt Expander there are of course possibilities to open these files.

Programs which can open a HQX file

How to open file with HQX extension?

In order to open a file with HQX extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening HQX file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with HQX files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install iArchiver or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening HQX files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support HQX files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of HQX files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set iArchiver as the default program for opening HQX files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate HQX files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the iArchiver applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where iArchiver has been installed.

2
3
Check the section that lists most common problems with HQX files

Sometimes problems with opening HQX files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • HQX files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open HQX files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • HQX file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

Similar extensions