Which MIME types are related to file extension ".psw"?
The .psw 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 .psw Files
PSW files are Pocket Word documents that store text and basic formatting data.
They use the MIME type application/x-pocket-word for identification.
- They were primarily created by the Pocket Word application.
- They contain text content formatted for small-screen devices.
- They offer a proprietary format mainly used on handheld or older mobile systems.
- They can be opened with Pocket Word or compatible document converters.
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 .psw file?
A .psw file is a text document created by Pocket Word, a word processor included with older Windows Mobile and Pocket PC devices. These files contain text and simple formatting designed to be viewed on small handheld screens.
How can I open a .psw file on Windows 10 or 11?
Modern versions of Microsoft Word often drop support for this legacy format. The most reliable way to open a .psw file today is using LibreOffice Writer or Apache OpenOffice, which maintain excellent backward compatibility for older formats.
Can I convert a .psw file to Word (.docx) format?
Yes, you can convert these files using online conversion tools like Convert.Guru or Convert.Guru. Alternatively, open the file in LibreOffice, then select File > Save As and choose .docx or .doc as the output format.
Is a .psw file related to passwords?
Usually, no. While "PSW" is a common abbreviation for "password," the extension is technically reserved for Pocket Word documents. However, verify the source, as some obscure password reset disks or backup tools might coincidentally use this extension.
What is the MIME type for .psw files?
The specific media type used for these documents is application/x-pocket-word. If you are configuring a server to serve these files, you can verify the correct headers at mime-type.com.
Why does my text look unformatted when I open a .psw file?
Pocket Word supported a limited subset of formatting features compared to desktop Word. Complex layouts, tables, or images often do not translate well, and opening the file in a standard text editor (like Notepad) will show the raw text but strip all formatting.
Can I open .psw files on an Android or iOS device?
Native support is non-existent on modern mobile operating systems. To view the content on a smartphone, you should first convert the file to a PDF or standard Word document on a PC.
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.