All about MAK Files

The MAK file type is primarily associated with Microsoft Word.

MAKFile Extension MAK
File extension: MAK
File type:  project makefile

What is a MAK file?

MAK files mostly belong to Microsoft Word.

The MAK file is not a single type but has two main variants. One variant uses the ZIP compression format to store what are known as project makefiles. This type is linked with Microsoft Word and the related Microsoft Make system, where the file holds project and build instructions in a compressed archive.
The other variant uses an internal SQL format, making it an SQLite database file. This version stores structured data and can be viewed with tools designed for SQLite, as referenced on the SQLite website.

  • ZIP-based variant: Look for a ZIP signature (often starting with 'PK') and use a standard archive tool to inspect the content.
  • SQL-based variant: Use a SQLite viewer or editor to open and query the file.

FilExt.com tip: Even though these files share the MAK extension, their internal structure determines the proper tool and method for opening and viewing them.

How to open MAK files

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

Online MAK Text Viewer

Choose your .mak file to view

Read our privacy guarantee in Filext’s terms and privacy policy

Please allow ads on our site

This helps us keep our servers running. Then re-upload your file to view it.

Click here to see how to disable the ad blocker for filext.com

How to extract texts from MAK files or capture a screenshot to PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...

You can extract texts from MAK file or capture a preview screenshot using our online MAK file viewer:
  1. To do this, click the button "Choose your .mak file to view" on this page.
  2. After your file is opened in browser,
  3. click "Save as..." in the menu.
  4. Then choose the file format (e.g. JPG, PDF, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
  5. Your file will be converted and downloaded.

Programs that open and convert MAK files:

  1. Microsoft Word
    See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. MAK files are often referred to as Microsoft Word compresseds because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
  2. Make File
    (compiler project file)
  3. Visual Basic (Ver. 3.0 Project) by Microsoft Corporation
    Visual Basic is a tool for building type-safe and object-oriented applications. Program ID is makfile
  4. Visual C++ Project by Microsoft Corporation

Technical Data for MAK File Extension

File classification:
Compressed
Related files:

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: UltraEdit.mak, AppName: UltraEdit-32 Professional Text/Hex Editor

ProgramID: Make
EXEFile: %SystemRoot%\NOTEPAD.EXE %1

ProgramID: makfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio .NET\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe %1

ProgramID: UltraEdit.mak
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\UltraEdit\uedit32.exe %1

ProgramID: VisualStudio.mak.7.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe %1

ProgramID: VisualStudio.mak.7.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Visual Studio .NET 2003\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe %1

ProgramID: VisualStudio.mak.8.0
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe %1

ProgramID: UltraEdit.mak
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\IDM Computer Solutions\UltraEdit-32\uedit32.exe %1

ProgramID: VCExpress.mak.8.0
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\Common7\IDE\VCExpress.exe %1

ProgramID: BCBProjectFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Borland\CBuilder\Bin\BCB.EXE

ProgramID: VisualStudio.mak.9.0
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\devenv.exe

ProgramID: VCExpress.mak.9.0
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\VCExpress.exe

ProgramID: UltraEdit.mak
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\IDM Computer Solutions\UltraEdit\Uedit32.exe


a mak project makefile is a special file format and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with MAK files

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