Which MIME types are related to file extension ".contact"?
The .contact file extension is associated with 1 MIME types:
A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.
About .contact Files
CONTACT files are text files used to store contact details in Windows Contacts. They follow the MIME type text/x-ms-contact and contain structured data like names, phone numbers, and email addresses.
- Main use: Organizing and managing personal or business contact information.
- Data format: Plain text with key-value pairs for contact fields.
- Software: Open with Windows Contacts, Microsoft Outlook, and compatible contact management apps.
Based on information from FilExt.com, CONTACT files are integral to the Windows contact management system.
Relationship between file extension and MIME type
A file extension is a suffix at the end of a filename that indicates what type of file it is. File extensions help both users and operating systems identify what application should be used to open the file.
File extensions are typically separated from the filename by a period (dot) and consist of 2-4 characters, though they can be longer. For example, in the filename "document.pdf", ".pdf" is the file extension.
File extensions are closely related to MIME types, as they both serve to identify the format of a file. However, while MIME types are used primarily by web browsers and servers, file extensions are used by operating systems and applications.
Associated MIME types
FAQs
What is a .contact file?
A .contact file is an XML-based format used by Microsoft Windows to store individual address book entries, such as names, email addresses, and phone numbers. These files are primarily associated with the Windows Contacts folder found in Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10, and they utilize the MIME type text/x-ms-contact.
How do I open a .contact file in Windows?
You can open these files simply by double-clicking them if you are in the Windows Contacts folder (C:\Users\[Username]\Contacts). Alternatively, you can view the contact details using Microsoft Outlook or open the file in a text editor like Notepad to view the raw XML code.
How can I convert a .contact file to VCF (vCard)?
To convert to VCF, navigate to your Contacts folder in Windows Explorer, select the specific .contact file, and click the Export button in the toolbar. Choose vCards (folder of .vcf files) from the list of formats to create a file compatible with smartphones and other email clients.
Can I open .contact files on a Mac or Android phone?
Not directly, as the .contact format is specific to the Microsoft Windows operating system. To use this contact information on macOS, iOS, or Android, you must first convert the file to the standard vCard (.vcf) or CSV format using a Windows PC.
How do I import .contact files into Microsoft Outlook?
You can import these files using the Outlook Import/Export wizard. Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export, select "Import Internet Mail and Addresses," and choose "Outlook Express" or "Windows Contacts" to pull the data into your Outlook address book.
Is a .contact file a binary or text file?
It is a text file formatted in XML. This means if your contact management software fails, you can right-click the file and open it with Notepad or WordPad to manually retrieve phone numbers or email addresses from within the code tags.
General FAQ
What is a MIME type?
A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.
MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.
MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.
How do I find the MIME type for a file?
You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.
Why can one extension have multiple MIME types?
Different programs and historical usage may assign various MIME identifiers to the same file format. Listing them together helps maintain compatibility across tools.