IDX is an index file format used on the Windows operating system to speed up the search process in a database, or to quickly retrieve and organize files in a directory. IDX files are also commonly used on DVDs and movie files that include subtitles. Most Windows and Mac computers will automatically open an IDX file using the program from which the file came from. However, if an IDX file won't open on your computer, you can try opening the file with the VLC program from VideoLAN, which can open most types of IDX files.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Opening IDX Files
Step 1. Double click on the IDX file
This file will open automatically. In Windows, it will open with the Notepad program; on Mac OS X, it will open with the TextEdit program.
If the IDX file fails to open, continue to the next step
Step 2. Right-click on the IDX file, then click "Open With"
On Mac OS X, click "Get Info", then "Open With"
Step 3. Select any text editing program available on your computer
For example, you can use WordPad, Notepad, or TextEdit. These programs are text editing programs that can open IDX files.
If the IDX file you want to open still doesn't open, continue to the next step
Step 4. Right-click the IDX file and select "Properties" or "Get Info"
Step 5. Look at the file details to determine the origin of the IDX file
Some IDX files can be opened with the program that created them. For example, if the IDX file comes from Microsoft Outlook Express, you can run the Outlook Express program on your computer, and try to open the IDX file with that program.
Step 6. Run the program that created the IDX file, then try to open the IDX file through that program
If the IDX file still fails to open, follow the steps in the second method of this article. The program that will be used is VLC Player from VideoLAN
Method 2 of 2: Using VLC Media Player from VideoLAN
Step 1. Go to the official VideoLAN website at
Step 2. Select the option to download VideoLAN VLC Media Player to your Windows or Mac computer
Step 3. Double-click on the installation file to launch the VideoLAN installation program, then follow the given steps to install this program on your computer
After the installation is complete, the program will run immediately.
Step 4. Click "Media" at the top of the VideoLAN window, then select "Open File"
Step 5. Click "Browse", then select the IDX file you want to open
Step 6. Select the IDX file, then click "Open"
The IDX file you selected will open and appear in VLC Media Player.
Tips
- Most of the time, if your computer doesn't have a program that can open IDX file types, it won't open. The most effective way to open an IDX file is to determine its origin, and open the file with the program that created it.
- If you want to try an alternative third-party program to open IDX files, you can also use Cyberlink's PowerDVD, which you can download at https://www.cyberlink.com/downloads/trials/powerdvd-ultra/download_en_US.html. As of this writing, the program is not free, but it does provide a 30 day trial period that you can use to open IDX files.
