ASCX File Extension

What is ASCX file?

Files with the ASCX extension belong to the category of web page files.

What do ASCX files contain?

Content of files with the ASCX extension includes source codes managed in the ASP.NET environment. This is utilized for the development of modern web services. Files with the ASCX extension store ready-made website components, for example:

• menus,
• forms,
• navigation bars,
• pop-up windows.

Most commonly, elements frequently used on many subpages of the service are placed in files with the ASCX extension.

What are ASCX files used for?

The mechanism for handling files with the ASCX extension ensures their versatile application. By storing the most popular components of the service in ASCX files, they can be quickly called without the need to add the source code of the element to the web page every time. This solution accelerates and facilitates the work on the website.

The use of the mechanism for references to files with the ASCX extension also enables quick introduction of modifications. In practice, the source code in an ASCX file is created once, but is used multiple times in various places of the service. If changes are introduced to the original ASCX file, their effects will automatically be visible in all instances of the file. Thus, there is no need to manually modify menus or bars on each subpage. Changes are implemented once exclusively in the file with the ASCX extension, which stores the ready element.

Programs which support ASCX file extension

The following list contains programs grouped by 2 operating systems that support ASCX files. ASCX files can be encountered on all system platforms, including mobile, yet there is no guarantee each will properly support such files.

Updated: 03/22/2024

How to open file with ASCX extension?

Problems with accessing ASCX may be due to various reasons. Fortunately, most common problems with ASCX files can be solved without in-depth IT knowledge, and most importantly, in a matter of minutes. The list below will guide you through the process of addressing the encountered problem.

Step 1. Install Microsoft Visual Studio software

The main and most frequent cause precluding users form opening ASCX files is that no program that can handle ASCX files is installed on user’s system. This one is an easy one. Select Microsoft Visual Studio or one of the recommended programs (for example, Mozilla Firefox, Adobe Dreamweaver, Microsoft Internet Explorer) and download it from appropriate source and install on your system. On the top of the page a list that contains all programs grouped based on operating systems supported can be found. If you want to download Microsoft Visual Studio installer in the most secured manner, we suggest you visit Microsoft Corporation website and download from their official repositories.

Step 2. Verify the you have the latest version of Microsoft Visual Studio

You still cannot access ASCX files although Microsoft Visual Studio is installed on your system? Make sure that the software is up to date. Software developers may implement support for more modern file formats in updated versions of their products. The reason that Microsoft Visual Studio cannot handle files with ASCX may be that the software is outdated. All of the file formats that were handled just fine by the previous versions of given program should be also possible to open using Microsoft Visual Studio.

Step 3. Assign Microsoft Visual Studio to ASCX files

If the issue has not been solved in the previous step, you should associate ASCX files with latest version of Microsoft Visual Studio you have installed on your device. The method is quite simple and varies little across operating systems.

The procedure to change the default program in Windows

• Right-click the ASCX file and choose Open with option
• Select Choose another app → More apps
• Finally select Look for another app on this PC, point to the folder where Microsoft Visual Studio is installed, check the Always use this app to open ASCX files box and conform your selection by clicking OK button

The procedure to change the default program in Mac OS

• By clicking right mouse button on the selected ASCX file open the file menu and choose Information
• Find the Open with option – click the title if its hidden
• From the list choose the appropriate program and confirm by clicking Change for all....
• If you followed the previous steps a message should appear: This change will be applied to all files with ASCX extension. Next, click the Continue button to finalize the process.

Step 4. Verify that the ASCX is not faulty

If you followed the instructions form the previous steps yet the issue is still not solved, you should verify the ASCX file in question. Being unable to access the file can be related to various issues.

1. Check the ASCX file for viruses or malware

If the ASCX is indeed infected, it is possible that the malware is blocking it from opening. Scan the ASCX file as well as your computer for malware or viruses. ASCX file is infected with malware? Follow the steps suggested by your antivirus software.

2. Ensure the file with ASCX extension is complete and error-free

Did you receive the ASCX file in question from a different person? Ask him/her to send it one more time. During the copy process of the file errors may occurred rendering the file incomplete or corrupted. This could be the source of encountered problems with the file. When downloading the file with ASCX extension from the internet an error may occurred resulting in incomplete file. Try downloading the file again.

3. Verify whether your account has administrative rights

Sometimes in order to access files user need to have administrative privileges. Log out of your current account and log in to an account with sufficient access privileges. Then open the ASP.NET User Control Format file.

4. Check whether your system can handle Microsoft Visual Studio

If the systems has insufficient resources to open ASCX files, try closing all currently running applications and try again.

5. Ensure that you have the latest drivers and system updates and patches installed

Up-to-date system and drivers not only makes your computer more secure, but also may solve problems with ASP.NET User Control Format file. It may be the case that the ASCX files work properly with updated software that addresses some system bugs.

Do you want to help?

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