All about GAU Files

The GAU file type is primarily associated with Microsoft Flight Simulator X.

GAU	File extension: GAU
	File type:	executable gauge module

What is a GAU file?

GAU files mostly belong to Microsoft Flight Simulator X.

Microsoft Flight Simulator Gauge File: This GAU file is an executable gauge module used in Microsoft Flight Simulator. It is built in the EXE format and works as a custom gauge via FSUIPC. For more details on interfacing and upgrades, visit FSUIPC.
Flash CWS Compressed Audio File: In some cases, a GAU file is formatted in Flash (CWS) and may contain compressed audio data. It is sometimes called a Gaussian input data file. Use a compatible Flash playback tool to open and inspect such files.
GAUSS/GAMS Source Code File: A few GAU files store source code or input data for statistical or algebraic modeling. These files are used with GAUSS or similar software, and further information can be found via Aptech.

FilExt.com note: Each usage follows its own processing method. Use the matching application for correct viewing and operation.

How do you open GAU files?

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

Online GAU Text Viewer

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Programs that open and convert GAU files:

Microsoft Flight Simulator X
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. GAU files are often referred to as Microsoft Flight Simulator X executables because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Flight Simulator (Gauge) by Microsoft Corporation
e.g., ALTIMITER.GAU usually found in a guages subdirectory/folder. The identifying characters used for this association are - Hex: 4D 5A, ASCII: MZ.
Gaussian Input File by MDL Information Systems, Inc.
The Mime types used with this association are: chemical/x-gaussian-input.

GAU file format:

A file format defines how the data in the file is structured. A file format is determined by the file extension and signature, so JPEG images have the extension .jpg and the first bytes in the file are ÿØÿ. Frequently, however, one file extension is used by different programs for different file formats, and one file format for different file extensions. So a detailed analysis of a file is vital in order to determine the format and the associated program. Our examination of the GAU files comes to the following conclusion:

The GAU file extension is not widely used. Such a file is mainly used by one program with a specific format. The two most popular formats are as follows:

75% of all GAU files are MS Flight Simulator Gauge files, which are based on the EXE file format. EXE is the abbreviation for executable and is the standard executable file format on Windows. The format can be identified by the letters "MZ" at the beginning. Executable files can also be used to distribute viruses and other types of malicious software (malware). They consist of illegible, cryptic characters. A typical file size is 4 MB. The file type was created 20 years ago but is still used today. Several words can almost always be found in the files, e.g. !This program cannot be run in DOS mode. The following filename is common: qw787.gau. These files are often associated with ejet, boeing, fswxr, captain and sound.
3% of all GAU files are based on the well-known config file format. A configuration file is used by computer software to store settings. It consists of a text-based content with a structure and syntax comprising key–value pairs for properties, and sections that organize the properties. These files contain text and words, not binary data. The average file size is 2 KB with most files being between 2 KB and 2.4 KB in size.

All other GAU files (22%) have no uniform format, the following 3 formats can be found: Flash. If you want to find out which format your GAU file belongs to, just click on the button "Choose your .gau file to analyze".

Technical Data for GAU File Extension

File classification:

Executable

Identifier:

Hex: 4D 5A, ASCII: MZ (provided by TrID database)

Related files:

swf, cws, gsc, gas, dll, cfg, zip, pdt, exe, bgl, haz, fs5

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: gauFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Internet Explorer\Iexplore.exe %1

a gau executable gauge module is a special file format and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with GAU files

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