Want to open a JSON file in Windows but don’t know how? You can open JSON files using Notepad (right-click the file > Open with > Notepad), any web browser by dragging and dropping the file, or specialized tools like Visual Studio Code for better formatting.
JSON files are simple text files that store data, so they work with many programs you already have on your computer. This guide shows you all the best methods to view, edit, and work with JSON files on Windows 10 and 11.
Brief overview of JSON File?
JSON stands for JavaScript Object Notation – it’s just a way to store information in a format that both humans and computers can read. Think of it as a simple text file that organizes data using curly brackets, square brackets, and colons.
Here’s what JSON looks like:
{ “name”: “John Doe”, “age”: 30, “city”: “New York” }
You’ll find JSON files everywhere – from web applications to game saves to configuration files. The good news? Since they’re just text files, you can open them with tools you already have. Many developers use a JSON file viewer to make the data easier to read and understand.
5 Easy Ways to Open JSON Files in Windows
| Method | Best For | Time Required |
| Notepad | Quick viewing | 5 seconds |
| Web Browser | Formatted viewing | 10 seconds |
| Visual Studio Code | Editing and formatting | 1 minute |
| Excel | Data analysis | 2 minutes |
| Online Viewers | No installation needed | 30 seconds |
Whether you’re using Windows 11 or Windows 10, these methods work exactly the same. Let’s explore each one in detail.
Open JSON Files Using Built-in Windows Tools
Using Notepad
The fastest way to open json file windows 11 or Windows 10 is with Notepad:
- Find your JSON file in File Explorer
- Right-click on the file
- Select “Open with” from the menu
- Choose “Notepad”
That’s it! Your JSON file will open instantly. While Notepad doesn’t format the data nicely, it’s perfect for quick peeks at the file content.
Using WordPad
WordPad offers slightly better formatting than Notepad:
- Right-click your JSON file
- Choose “Open with” > “Choose another app”
- Select “WordPad” from the list
- Check “Always use this app” if you want WordPad as the default
WordPad handles larger files better than Notepad and provides basic text formatting options.
How to Open a JSON File in a Readable Format Using Text Editors?
Plain text editors work, but specialized editors make JSON files much easier to read. Here’s how to open json file in readable format using better tools.
Notepad++ (Free)
Notepad++ transforms messy JSON into organized, color-coded text:
- Download Notepad++ from its official website
- Install and launch the program
- Click File > Open
- Select your JSON file
- Use Plugins > JSON Viewer > Format JSON for perfect formatting
The syntax highlighting shows different parts in different colors – strings in red, numbers in blue, and brackets in black. This makes complex JSON files easy to navigate.
Visual Studio Code (Free)
VS Code is the favorite tool for developers when working with JSON:
- Download VS Code from Microsoft’s website
- Install and open the program
- Drag your JSON file into VS Code
- Press Shift+Alt+F to auto-format
VS Code automatically detects errors, suggests fixes, and provides incredible search features. It’s especially useful for how to open json file in windows 10 when working with large files.
Open JSON Files in Web Browsers
Modern web browsers are surprisingly good JSON viewers. They work instantly without any installation.
Google Chrome
Chrome can display JSON files with proper formatting:
- Open Chrome browser
- Drag your JSON file into a new tab
- The file opens with basic formatting
For better viewing, install the JSONView extension:
- Visit Chrome Web Store
- Search for “JSONView”
- Click “Add to Chrome”
- Now all JSON files open with beautiful formatting
Microsoft Edge
Edge has a built-in JSON viewer that works great:
- Open Microsoft Edge
- Press Ctrl+O (or Cmd+O on Mac)
- Select your JSON file
- Edge displays it with syntax highlighting
The built-in viewer collapses and expands sections, making navigation simple.
Mozilla Firefox
Firefox also includes a JSON viewer:
- Open Firefox
- Drag the JSON file into the browser
- Firefox shows a tree view automatically
You can switch between raw data and pretty-printed views with one click.
How to Open JSON File Online?
Sometimes you need to view JSON without installing anything. Here’s how to open json file online using web tools:
Best Online JSON Viewers
JSON Formatter (jsonformatter.org):
- Upload files up to 25MB
- Beautiful syntax highlighting
- Validates your JSON for errors
- Converts between formats
CodeBeautify JSON Viewer:
- Tree view and text view options
- Edit JSON directly in browser
- Download formatted files
- Share links with others
JSON Editor Online:
- Split-screen editor
- Visual tree editor
- Import from URL
- Export in multiple formats
To use any online viewer:
- Visit the website
- Click “Upload” or “Choose File”
- Select your JSON file
- View and edit as needed
Remember: Don’t upload sensitive data to online tools. Use local programs for private information.
How to Open JSON File in Excel?
Excel can turn JSON data into spreadsheets. Here’s how to open json file in excel step by step:
Using Power Query (Excel 2016 and later)
- Open Excel
- Click Data tab
- Select “Get Data” > “From File” > “From JSON”
- Browse and select your JSON file
- Click “Import”
Working with Power Query Editor
After importing, Excel opens Power Query:
- Click “Into Table” in the top-left
- Find the expand icon (two arrows) in column headers
- Click it and uncheck “Use original column name as prefix”
- Select which fields to expand
- Click OK
- Repeat for any nested data
- Click “Close & Load” when done
Your JSON data now appears as a regular Excel table! You can sort, filter, and analyze it like any spreadsheet.
Tips for Excel JSON Import
- Simple JSON files import easily
- Complex nested data needs more steps
- Arrays become separate rows
- Objects become columns
How to Open JSON Image File?
Wondering about how to open json image file? Here’s what you need to know:
JSON files don’t contain actual images – they store image data as text. This happens in two ways:
Base64 Encoded Images
Some JSON files include images as Base64 strings:
{ “image”: “data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANS…” }
To view these images:
- Copy the Base64 string
- Use an online Base64 to Image converter
- Paste and convert
Image URLs in JSON
More commonly, JSON stores links to images:
{ “profile_picture”: “https://example.com/image.jpg” }
Simply copy the URL and open it in your browser.
How to Open JSON File in PDF?
Need to know how to open json file in PDF format? You’ll need to convert it first:
Method 1: Print to PDF
- Open JSON in any viewer (browser, VS Code, etc.)
- Press Ctrl+P to print
- Select “Microsoft Print to PDF” as printer
- Click Print and save
Method 2: Online Converters
- Visit convertio.co or similar service
- Upload your JSON file
- Choose PDF as output format
- Download the converted file
Method 3: Professional Tools
Programs like Adobe Acrobat can import JSON and create formatted PDFs with proper styling and layout options.
Best JSON File Viewer Tools for Windows
For professional work, consider these dedicated JSON file viewer applications:
Free Options
JSON Viewer (Windows Store):
- Clean, simple interface
- Tree and text views
- Search functionality
- Dark mode support
a7 JsonViewer:
- Lightweight and fast
- Handles large files well
- Portable (no installation)
- Export features
Paid Options
UltraEdit:
- Professional text editor
- Advanced search and replace
- Handles massive files
- Coding features
JSONBuddy:
- Schema validation
- Batch processing
- XML conversion
- Professional support
How to Handle Large JSON Files?
Regular viewers struggle with files over 100MB. Here’s how to handle big data:
Command Line Tools
jq (Command Line):
- Processes gigabyte files
- Filter specific data
- Transform JSON structure
- Works on all Windows versions
Specialized Software
Dadroit JSON Viewer:
- Opens 1GB+ files in seconds
- Search without loading the entire file
- Tree view navigation
- Memory efficient
EmEditor:
- Handles files up to 248GB
- Fast scrolling and search
- Syntax highlighting
- Split view options
Tips for Large Files
- Never use Notepad for files over 50MB
- Close other programs to free memory
- Consider splitting large files
- Use streaming parsers for huge datasets
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Opening with Wrong Programs
Some programs corrupt JSON files:
- Don’t use Microsoft Word
- Avoid rich text editors
- Skip programs that add formatting
Encoding Issues
JSON uses UTF-8 encoding. Problems happen when:
- Files contain special characters
- The wrong encoding is selected
- Programs auto-convert encoding
Solution: Always use UTF-8 compatible editors.
Editing Errors
Common JSON syntax mistakes:
- Missing commas between items
- Extra commas after the last item
- Mismatched brackets or quotes
- Wrong quote types (use double quotes)
Solution: Use validators before saving changes.
Security Mistakes
- Never run JSON files as programs
- Don’t trust JSON from unknown sources
- Avoid online tools for sensitive data
- Check file extensions carefully
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I open my JSON file in Windows?
Your JSON file might be corrupted or have the wrong encoding. Try opening it with Notepad first – if you see strange characters, the file encoding is wrong. Use a tool like VS Code and change the encoding to UTF-8. If the file won’t open at all, it might be corrupted or not actually a JSON file.
Can JSON files contain viruses?
JSON files themselves cannot contain viruses because they’re just text files. However, be careful with programs that process JSON data. A malicious website could use JSON data to attempt attacks, but the JSON file alone cannot harm your computer. Always download JSON files from trusted sources.
Can I password protect a JSON file?
JSON files are plain text and cannot be password protected directly. To secure JSON data, you can: zip the file with password protection, use encryption software to encrypt the file, store it in a password-protected folder, or use specialized secure storage applications. Remember that once someone opens the file, they can see all the data.
What program opens JSON files by default in Windows?
Windows doesn’t have a default JSON viewer, so files usually open in whatever text editor you have set as default (often Notepad). You can change this by right-clicking a JSON file, selecting “Open with” > “Choose another app,” picking your preferred program, and checking “Always use this app to open .json files.”
Conclusion
Opening JSON files in Windows is simpler than most people think. Whether you need a quick view with Notepad, a formatted display in a browser, or professional editing in VS Code, you have plenty of free options. For open json file windows 11 or Windows 10 users, the built-in tools work perfectly for basic needs.
Remember these key points:
- JSON files are just text – any text editor opens them
- Browsers provide free, instant formatting
- Excel can convert JSON to spreadsheets
- Online tools work without installation
- Professional viewers handle large files better
Ready to work with JSON files? Start with the method that matches your needs. For quick viewing, use your browser. For editing, grab VS Code. For data analysis, import into Excel.
