What is .BIN File Extension? How to Open Bin File

In this article, we’ll discuss the type of applications that can Convert, Fix, or Open Bin Files and of course what it is. You may have downloaded the image file of a program or game, and you are looking for ways to open it on your computer.

To open and use a BIN file, you must burn it to a physical disc. In the absence of a physical disc, a virtual drive will work too; so, all you have to do is mount the BIN file to a virtual drive as you cannot open the file directly. Another method of opening a BIN file is to convert it to an ISO file.

What is .BIN File Extension?

The .BIN file extension is found mostly on a compressed binary file. These files are important for the smooth running of many computer applications and different purposes. The .BIN file extension is mostly found in DVD and CD backup image files. Some anti-virus programs also use this file extension.

It is mostly made up of binary code that different computer applications make use of. Sometimes, you will find the BIN files in a basic binary format that you can open using a text editor while in some other cases, you will need specific computer applications to open them.

Type of Applications that can Convert, Fix, or Open Bin File

You can use the below applications on your PC (Windows 10, 8, 7) Mac, and Linux to open Bin Files.

• Roxio Creator NXT Pro
• Power ISO
• NTI Dragon Burn 4
• Smart Projects IsoBuster
• DT Soft Daemon Tools

How to Open Bin File

There are different approaches to opening BIN files. We will be checking out some of them below so that you can choose the one that suits you best.

If you have set up the file associations on your PC correctly, you should have no problems opening a file with the BIN extension. Check out the steps below on how to open a BIN file.

Method 1: Burn the BIN File

Step 1: Find the files first.

The CUE file is important if you want to burn the BIN file to a disk. However, not every BIN file has a CUE file and if that is the case, create a CUE file.

How to Create a CUE File

Launch Notepad and enter the following;

FILE “nameofyourBINfile.bin” BINARY

TRACK 01 MODE1/2352

INDEX 01 00:00:00

Save the Notepad text file in the same folder as your BIN file. Make sure the CUE file is saved with the same name as the BIN file except that the CUE file has the CUE extension behind it. Click on “File” and then “Save As.” Click on “All Files,” and change the extension of the file to .CUE.

Step 2: Open the program you are going to use for burning.

BIN format is an outdated program that can be opened by only older programs, especially if it is a multi-track BIN file. Some popular burning programs that can open BIN files are Alcohol 10%, Nero, and CDRWIN.

Step 3: Get the image file loaded.

At this stage, you may have to load the BIN file or the CUE file. After loading the file, you will see a display of how much disk space the image file will occupy.

Step 4: Start the burning process.

After loading the image file, slot in an empty disk and start burning. The size of the image determines how long the disk will take to burn. Other factors that affect the burn time include the burner’s speed and computer performance.

Step 5: Test the Disk.

After the file has been burned successfully, you need to test the disk. Insert the disk into the device that you burned it for to make sure everything loads the right way and that the tracks are placed where they ought to be.

Method 2: Mount the Image

Step 1: On your computer, install a virtual drive software.

The job of a virtual drive is to act as a physical optical drive so that you can mount the image file on the drive. This makes your computer think that you have inserted a disk into it, and the image will be loaded just like it would if it were running on a disk.

There are different virtual drive options to choose from, but a free and popular one is WinCDEmu. You should, however, be careful when installing because it installs additional software and browser toolbars that you have no use for.

You should also note that any image you mount on your computer will only work if it is compatible with a computer.

Windows 8 and OS X, already come with in-built virtual drive software, but you will not be able to mount the image file on it unless you convert the BIN file to an ISO file.

Step 2: Mount the Image.

If you use a program like WinCDEmu, you will find an icon on your System Tray. Right-click on the icon and hover on one of the virtual drives; click on “Mount Image.” The option to browse through your file manager opens up. Search for the CUE file and load it to the mounted image.

NOTE: The CUE file must be in the same folder as the BIN file.

Step 3: Open the disc.

After mounting the image, your computer will read like a physical disk was inserted by opening an autoplay. In some cases, you may get a prompt asking you what you would like to do with the disk. These are dependent on your system settings, and you have to select accordingly and use the image file like a typical CD or DVD.

Method 3: Convert the BIN File to ISO Format

Step 1: Download a conversion program to convert the BIN file to ISO so that you can burn or mount the file with more program options. One of the free conversion software programs is MagicISO.

Step 2: Launch the conversion program that you have downloaded. Take, for instance, MagicISO. Launch MagicISO and navigate to the menu named “Tools.” Click on “BIN to ISO.”

Step 3: Find your BIN file and select a name for the new ISO file.

Step 4: Click on “Convert” and the BIN file will be converted to an ISO file. Wait for some minutes for this to be completed.

Step 5: Mount the ISO file with a virtual drive. If your computer is running on OS X or Windows 8, simply right-click on ISO.

FAQ

• What does the BIN file extension mean?

.BIN is a short form for a binary file, and it is the raw binary form of any file. Binary files can be videos, images, installation files, or CD images. They are mostly compiled computer programs, and you must have the context of what the file is to know what to do with it.

• Is a BIN file the same as an ISO file?

A BIN file can be an ISO, as well as any other type of file.

• Can a BIN file be deleted?

You can delete a .BIN file if you want, but you have to know what BIN file you are deleting and what purpose it is serving on your computer. You do not want to delete an important BIN file and have a malfunctioning computer.

• Can a BIN file be opened on Android?

.BIN files only show up on Android when an APK file runs into an error and gets labeled wrongly as a BIN file. To fix this, use any file manager app to change the name of the file, and replace the BIN extension with .APK extension. You should be able to run the file if it is truly an APK file.

Conclusion

We understand that not many people understand what a BIN file is all about, and we have tried to simplify this file extension as well as how to open it. We hope that you will be able to apply these steps whenever you see a BIN that you would like to open.