.avi — Audio Video Interleave
An older Microsoft video container format. Still widely supported but largely superseded by MP4 and MKV for new content.
Media files are generally low-risk to open with trusted, up-to-date software. Keep your viewer/player updated, since any file format can theoretically be crafted to exploit a buggy app.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a .avi file?
An older Microsoft video container format. Still widely supported but largely superseded by MP4 and MKV for new content.
Can I edit a .avi file?
Partially. .avi files can be edited with the right tool (such as VLC), but not with just any text editor.
Does having a .avi extension mean the file is safe?
No single extension can guarantee that. Media files are generally low-risk to open with trusted, up-to-date software. Keep your viewer/player updated, since any file format can theoretically be crafted to exploit a buggy app. Always consider where the file came from, not just its name.