Sorts of KEY Files

Chief KEY Description

.KEY

File Ext:	.key
File Type:	License/ Encrypted Security Key File

The KEY file extension is commonly used by various programs for files that contain encrypted data or key, such as software licenses. Since KEY files are used by different software products, no single program will be able to open them. Rather, you will have to determine which program a KEY file corresponds to so you can use it to register the software.

Organization:	Unknown Developer
File Category:	Encoded Files
Entry:	HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.key

Software Programs That Open The License/ Encrypted Security Key File:

Avira Antivirus Pro 2016 by Avira Operations GmbH & Co. KG.

Windows

Android

LightWave 3D by NewTek

Windows

Mac

VMware Workstation by VMware

Windows

Linux

Kaspersky Anti-Virus by Kaspersky Lab

	Windows
	Windows Phone

	Mac
	iOS

Android

Linux

Estimator by Craftsman Book Company

Windows

Sentry 2020 by SoftWinter

	Windows
	Windows Phone

Forecast Pro by Business Forecast Systems, Inc.

Windows

Top Secret Crypto Gold by TAN$TAAFL Software Company

Windows

Other KEY Descriptions

.KEY

File Ext:	.key
File Type:	iWork Keynote '09 Presentation File

The KEY file extension is associated with Keynote Presentation. The KEY files are stored in the Mac OS package format used by the presentation.

Organization:	Apple
File Category:	Data Files

Software Programs That Open iWork Keynote '09 Presentation File Files:

Apple Keynote by Apple

Compatible with:

	Mac
	iOS

.KEY

File Ext:	.key
File Type:	Microsoft Windows 7 Registry Key

The KEY file extension is used as a registry key file for Windows 7, like the .REG format on earlier Windows versions.

Organization:	Microsoft Corporation
File Category:	System Files

Software Programs That Open Microsoft Windows 7 Registry Key Files:

Microsoft Windows 7 by Microsoft Corporation

Compatible with:

Windows

.KEY

File Ext:	.key
File Type:	OS/2 Archive Key File

The OS/2 operating system for IBM-PC compatible computers uses the KEY file extension for files that store an archive key.

Organization:	IBM
File Category:	Compressed Files

Software Programs That Open OS/2 Archive Key File Files:

OS/2 by IBM

Compatible with:

OS/2

.KEY

File Ext:	.key
File Type:	ArcView Geocoding Matching Keys

The KEY file extension is used by ESRI ArcView for files that contain geocoding matching keys in ODB format. It was probably a specialized file type connected to GIS for mapping purposes.

Organization:	ESRI
File Category:	GIS Files

Software Programs That Open ArcView Geocoding Matching Keys Files:

ESRI ArcGIS for Desktop by ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute)

Compatible with:

Windows

ENVI by Exelis Inc.

Compatible with:

Windows

.KEY

File Ext:	.key
File Type:	DataCAD Custom Toolbar File

The DataCAD software uses the KEY file extension for files that contain customized toolbar that can be imported into the program. It was replaced by a KEY format in the later versions of DataCAD.

Organization:	DataCAD LLC
File Category:	Settings Files

Software Programs That Open DataCAD Custom Toolbar File Files:

DataCAD by DataCAD LLC

Compatible with:

Windows

.KEY

File Ext:	.key
File Type:	Keyboard Definition File

The KEY file extension is used by some gaming software that contains saved keyboard layouts, shortcuts, keybinds, and other configuration data for keyboards.

Organization:	Blizzard Entertainment Inc.
File Category:	Settings Files

Software Programs That Open Keyboard Definition File Files:

SmartWare II by SmartWare Corporation

Compatible with:

Windows

Diablo II by Blizzard Entertainment Inc.

Compatible with:

Windows

Mac

Delta Force by NovaLogic

Compatible with:

Windows

.KEY

File Ext:	.key
File Type:	BioWare Infinity And Aurora Game Engine Resource File

Bioware's Infinity and Aurora game engines use the KEY file extension for files that contain resource data. It has been utilized in games such as Baldur's Gate or Neverwinter Nights.

Organization:	BioWare
File Category:	Game Files

Software Programs That Open BioWare Infinity And Aurora Game Engine Resource File Files:

BioWare Neverwinter Nights by BioWare

Compatible with:

Windows

Linux

Mac OS X

Baldur's Gate by BioWare

Compatible with:

Windows

Mac

Linux

Planescape: Torment by Interplay Entertainment

Compatible with:

Windows

Mac

Android

Linux

Icewind Dale by Black Isle Studios

Compatible with:

Windows

Mac

Optional Offer for FileViewPro by Solvusoft | EULA | Privacy Policy | Terms | Uninstall

KEY File Complications

Frequent KEY Opening Issues

Missing Avira Antivirus Pro 2016

When trying to open your KEY file, you get the error "Can't Open KEY File Type". Usually, this is because you do not have Avira Antivirus Pro 2016 for %%os%% installed. This will prevent you from double-clicking to open the KEY file because the OS doesn’t know how to handle it.

Tip: If you know of another program that can open your KEY file, you can try opening it by selecting the application from the programs listed.

Avira Antivirus Pro 2016 Requires Update

Your License/ Encrypted Security Key File file is incompatible with Avira Antivirus Pro 2016 because you might have the wrong version installed. If you do not have the proper version Avira Antivirus Pro 2016 (or any of the other programs listed above), you may need to try downloading a different version of it, or one of the other software applications listed above. The primary cause of this problem is that your License/ Encrypted Security Key File file was created by a different (newer) version of Avira Antivirus Pro 2016 than what's installed.

Tip: You can sometimes get hints about the right program version by right-clicking on the KEY file, selecting "Properties", and looking at the version information.

Primarily, problems experienced when opening KEY files are due to having the incorrect version of Avira Antivirus Pro 2016 installed on your computer.

Additional KEY Opening Issues

Assuming you have the right Avira Antivirus Pro 2016 version installed, other problems can prevent you from opening KEY files. If you are still having problems opening KEY files, there may be other issues that are preventing you from opening these files. These issues include:

• Windows Registry KEY file paths that are incorrect
• Accidental deletion of the description of the KEY file in the Windows registry
• Defective install of a KEY program, such as Avira Antivirus Pro 2016
• Your KEY can't be loaded properly (file corruption)
• Your KEY has adversely impacted by malware
• Device drivers for KEY-related hardware are out-of-date
• Insufficient system resources to successfully open License/ Encrypted Security Key File files