Opening SWP Files

The SWP file type is primarily associated with Vim.

SWP	File extension: SWP
	File type:	swap

What is an SWP file?

SWP files mostly belong to Vim by Bram Moolenaar. SWP is the filename extension of a swap file containing temporary data generated by Vim or a Vim-based command line text editor for UNIX and Linux-based platforms. The SWP file serves as a buffer which saves changes to a file being edited with Vim before such changes are permanently written to the file. Another type of SWP file is a virtual memory swap page used by Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. Solidworks computer-aided design and engineering software uses a macro saved in an SWP file. Spider Writer HTML editor saves a project in an SWP file.

How do you open SWP files?

You need a suitable software like Vim to open an SWP file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your SWP file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a SWP file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online SWP Text Viewer

Choose your .swp file to analyze

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Programs that open and convert SWP files:

Vim by Bram Moolenaar
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. SWP files are often referred to as Vim miscs because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
EC997 Dyno (sweep test) by Factory Pro Tuning
EC997 Dyno is a discontinued digital dynometer and diagnostics software for Windows operating system. It saved a sweep test in an SWP file. This file format is classified as Data.
Kies (backup) by Samsung
Kies is a cross-platform desktop application for synchronizing data and settings between a computer and a Samsung phone. It saves data backed up from a phone into an SWP file. This file format is classified as Backup.
Lightroom (image) by Adobe
Lightroom is a photo editing and animation software available as part of Adobe's Creative Cloud suite. It assigns JPG.SWP filename extension to an image that has been loaded into memory. This file format is classified as Raster Image.
MegaHAL (keyword swap) by Ai Research
MegaHAL is a discontinued conversation simulation program for Windows desktop. It used an SWP file to save a keyword swap. This file format is classified as Data.
SolidWorks (macro) by SolidWorks
SolidWorks is a computer-aided solid modeling, design, and engineering software for Windows desktop. It saves a macro in an SWP file. This file format is classified as Executable. Related links: SolidWorks Viewer
Spider Writer (project) by Actipro
Spider Writer is a web development software with HTML, PHP, and JavaScript editing support. It saves a project in an SWP file. This file format is classified as Developer.
Sprint (document backup) by Micro Focus
Sprint is a discontinued word processor for classic MS-DOS operating system. It uses an SWP file to save a document backup. This file format is classified as Backup.
Syswin (API description) by Omron
Syswin is a discontinued Windows software used for PLC programming. Its application programming interface's description is saved in an SWP file. This file format is classified as Misc.
Windows (memory swap) by Microsoft
Windows is a proprietary operating system for desktop, server, mobile, and IoT devices. It uses a memory swap saved in an SWP file. This file format is classified as System.

SWP file format:

To view or edit SWP files you need to know the file format, because it determines how the data in this file is stored. The file format can be determined based on the file extension and the signature (the first few characters of a file). However, different programs can use the same file extension, and file extensions can be assigned incorrectly. Knowledge is power - this also applies when dealing with unknown or faulty files. Our examination of the SWP files comes to the following conclusion:

The SWP extension is very commonly found and covers different formats for different programs. But the following two file formats are common:

50% of all SWP files belong to Vim swap. They consist of illegible, cryptic characters. The files are 12 KB to 20 KB in size, with a median of 12 KB. The file type is relatively new. Several words can almost always be found in the files, e.g. b0VIM 8 and b0VIM 7. The file name wp-config.php.swp is typical for these files. These files can be linked to config, index, html, login, auth, conf, router, baset, local, sowab and json.
25% of all SWP files utilize the Microsoft Compound File format, also known as Composite Document File format or OLE2 compound document format. This general-purpose file format provides a file-system-like structure within a file for the storage of arbitrary, application-specific streams of data. The file signature of compound files is defined as D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1, so the first character of a file looks like "DOCFILE". Sections and streams in the file have names like apc. A typical file size is 51 KB. The file name PointToExcel.swp is characteristic of these files. Such files are related to macro, save, export and batch.

The remaining 25% of all SWP files are different files with different signatures, often e.g. Samsung Kies backup, JPG, SWN and TEXT. The category is step, properties, drawing, message, network, create or custom. If you want to find out which format your SWP file belongs to, just click on the button "Choose your .swp file to analyze".

Technical Data for SWP File Extension

File classification:

Misc

Related files:

swf, swo, swap, swb, spbm, smem, nmmm, swg, sh, zip, log, wsp, cpp, txt, makefile, snmm, h, vhd, memo, tex

Mime type:

application/octet-stream

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: txtfile
EXEFile: %SystemRoot%\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE %1

ProgramID: txtfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Boxer Text Editor\b.exe

an swp swap is a special file format by Bram Moolenaar and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with SWP files

Associate the SWP file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open swaps. Because only the current version supports the latest SWP file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Bram Moolenaar manufacturer website after an available Vim update.
To make sure that your SWP file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .SWP file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.