Opening XWD Files

The XWD file type is primarily associated with GIMP.

XWDFile Extension XWD
File extension: XWD
File type:  screenshot

What is an XWD file?

XWD files mostly belong to GIMP by The GIMP Team. XWD is the filename extension of image files encoded in the X Window Dump raster image file format used to store screenshots captured with the xwd program in an X Window System. The screenshot stored in an XWD file may contain an image of the whole screen or the contents of a specific window on the screen (if the window's ID was specified in the command). X10 was the first version of XWD format. It saved screen dumps as uncompressed grayscale or color-mapped images. The second version of XWD format is commonly called X11. This version supported the storage of additional header fields and image data types. Image viewers such as GIMP, XnView, and PaintShop support XWD image format. CROSSDOWN, a crossword puzzle creation software, saves puzzles in XWD files.

How do you open XWD files?

You need a suitable software like GIMP to open an XWD 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 XWD file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a XWD file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online XWD File Viewer

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How to convert an XWD file to JPG, PNG, SVG, PDF, ...

If you want to convert or edit an XWD file, you can use our free Online XWD File Converter (powered by Convert.Guru):
  1. To do so, click the "Choose your .xwd file to view this image" button above.
  2. Your XWD file will then be displayed in the browser.
  3. Now click on "Save as..." at the top of the page.
  4. Then choose the image format (e.g. JPG, PNG, TIFF, PDF, ...) you want.
  5. Your file will be converted and downloaded.

Programs that open and convert XWD files:

  1. GIMP by The GIMP Team
    See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. XWD files are often referred to as GIMP raster images because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
  2. Crossdown (crossword puzzle) by Sam Bellotto Jr.
    Crossdown is a piece of software for developing crossword puzzles. Puzzles created with this program are stored in XWD files. This file format is classified as Data.
  3. PaintShop (screenshot) by Corel
    PaintShop is a professional photo editing software with an array of AI-powered photo enhancement solutions. It can be used to open screen dumps (screenshots) stored in XWD format. This file format is classified as Raster Image. Related links: xwd
  4. Sublime (data) by Sublime
    Sublime is a cross-platform, lightweight code editor with multi-language syntax support and basic build tools. It can be used to open XWD files stored in Rich Text Format. This file format is classified as Data.
  5. XnView (screenshot) by XnSoft
    XnView is a multipurpose image manipulation software capable of opening and editing most raster image file formats. You can view, edit, or convert XWD image files with XnView. This file format is classified as Raster Image. Related links: xwd

Technical Data for XWD File Extension

File classification:
Raster Image
Related files:
Related links:

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: GraphicsConverterPro.xwd, FileType: X Windows System window dump, AppName: GraphicsConverter-reg
EXEFile: GraphicsConverter.exe

ProgramID: ICPlus, AppName: ImageEditor Plus
EXEFile: ICPlus.exe

ProgramID: PaintShopPro8.Image, FileType: Paint Shop Pro 8 Image, AppName: Paint Shop Pro 8
EXEFile: Paint Shop Pro.exe

ProgramID: PaintShopPro8.Image, FileType: Paint Shop Pro Image, AppName: Paint Shop Pro 8
EXEFile: Paint Shop Pro.exe

ProgramID: WebImage, FileType: WebImage Editor Image, AppName: WebImage for Windows

ProgramID: konvertor
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Konvertor\Konvertor.exe %1

ProgramID: PaintShopPro8.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 8\Paint Shop Pro.exe /dde

ProgramID: PaintShopPro9.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 9\Paint Shop Pro 9.exe /dde

ProgramID: TheGIMP20
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\GIMP-2.2\bin\gimp-win-remote.exe %1

ProgramID: View Station Document
EXEFile: C:\View\Station\Image.exe %1

ProgramID: TheGIMP13
EXEFile: C:\GIMP-1.3\bin\gimp-1.3.exe %1

ProgramID: XnView.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\XnView\xnview.exe %1

ProgramID: TheGIMP20
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\GIMP-2.0\bin\gimp-win-remote.exe gimp-2.2.exe %1

ProgramID: PaintShopProX.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Corel\Corel Paint Shop Pro X\Paint Shop Pro X.exe

ProgramID: SnapfireI.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Corel\Corel Snapfire Plus\Corel Snapfire.exe

ProgramID: Pagis.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ScanSoft\Pagis\XIFVIEW.EXE

ProgramID: Pagis.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Xerox\Pagis\XIFVIEW.EXE

ProgramID: DigitalFotoMaker.5.xwd
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MAGIX\FOTO_M~1\FOTOMA~1.EXE

ProgramID: MyViewPad.xwd
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\My ViewPad\MyViewPad.exe


an xwd screenshot is a special file format by The GIMP Team and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with XWD files

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