Home·File extensions

.ps1

Programs · application/x-powershell

Opens with

PowerShellVS Code

Programs themselves, or their installers. If you do not know where one came from, do not open it.

MIME typeapplication/x-powershell
CategoryPrograms
Opens in a browserNo
Plain textYes
Registered typeUnofficial (x-)

How to read this

  • An extension is a label, not the contents. Rename a file to .png and if the bytes inside are JPEG, it is still a JPEG.
  • A MIME type is how the internet names a file kind. Browsers look at that value, not the extension, to decide whether to display or download.
  • A MIME type starting with x- was never registered as a standard. Plenty are in wide use, but they are not official names.
  • Video extensions name a container. The same .mp4 may play on one device and not another, depending on the codec inside.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What is a .ps1 file?

It belongs to the programs category and its MIME type is application/x-powershell. The contents are plain text, so you can even open it in Notepad and read it.

Q. What opens a .ps1 file?

PowerShell, VS Code all handle it. In a browser it does not display — the browser downloads it instead.

Q. What is the MIME type of .ps1?

application/x-powershell. The first half, application, names the broad kind; the second half, x-powershell, names the exact format. It starts with x-, which means it was never registered as a standard.

Q. Can I convert a .ps1 file to another format?

Yes — open it and re-save through a converter. Renaming alone changes only the label; the bytes stay put, and programs that check the real format may refuse to open it.

Q. My .ps1 file will not open.

First check that PowerShell is installed. If it still fails, the download may have been cut short, or the file may only be named .ps1 while holding a different format inside.

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