AVI File Extension

Audio Video Interleave Format

File Type avi
Developer Microsoft
Popularity
4.5 (37 votes)
Application Adobe Premiere Pro
Category Video Files
Format Binary

What is a AVI file?

Files with the AVI extension are specifically tied to Audio Video Interleave Format, a Video Files type, and there are 445 files in this category.

The Audio Video Interleave Format (AVI) was created by Microsoft, a company that developed file format and produced 242 programs for their use.

AVI file support extends to various operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS and Linux. If you need to play a AVI file, you can use one of 81 programs, such as VLC media player, Plex Media Server and Zoom Player.

MIME types

application/x-troff-msvideo
video/msvideo
audio/avi
image/avi
video/avi
audio/aiff
video/xmpg2
video/x-msvideo

File Signature

HEX code: 52 49 46 46. ASCII code: RIFF.

Windows

Linux

How to open a AVI file?

If you’re having difficulty opening a AVI file, it is often due to not having the correct software. To solve the problem, choose a compatible program from the list. Then follow the link to the official developer site, download the software, and install it on your device.

Thanks to their popularity, VLC media player, Plex Media Server and Zoom Player are often the go-to programs for managing AVI files. If you need the newest version of Adobe Premiere Pro, just access the Adobe website. From there you can download the installer compatible with all systems.

After installing, your OS should instantly open AVI files with Adobe Premiere Pro.

Set Adobe Premiere Pro as your default AVI viewer

Set default app to open files on Mac

Right-click or Control + left-click on the desired AVI file to open a menu of available actions;
Choose "Open in Application" and click "Other";
Look towards the bottom of the window, where you will find the "Enable" menu. "Recommended programs" will be the default selection;
Choose "All Programs" in this menu and search for Adobe Premiere Pro. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to set it as the default option.

Change a default app in Windows

Start by right-clicking on your AVI file, then select "Open With" and continue by clicking "Choose another app" from the options provided;
From the list of applications in the pop-up window, find and select Adobe Premiere Pro as your desired application;
Check the "Always use this app" checkbox, and then click "OK" to set your chosen app as the default for opening AVI files.

Solving Common AVI File Challenges

Problematic AVI files can usually be resolved by making small changes in your software. See the tips below to help fix common issues.

What can lead to sudden Adobe Premiere Pro crashes?

Insufficient software updates can contribute to Adobe Premiere Pro crash. To avoid this, make sure that you have installed the latest updates for Adobe products.

A simple restart of your computer can often fix many common problems, which is why it is the recommended first step before making any adjustments to your software settings.

What is the recommended approach to repair a damaged AVI file?

Open the damaged AVI file in a recovery program and select the "Repair" menu item to start the repair operation. Please wait patiently for the recovery process to finish as it will automatically repair the damaged video files.

What are the methods to detect if my AVI file has been corrupted?

Characteristics of corrupted AVI video files can include:

An unexplained increase in the size of the AVI file;
Trying to work with the archive in Adobe Premiere Pro or other programs causes instability or program crashes;
The file does not open correctly or displays error messages;
While working with the file, error alerts are encountered;
Editing the archive in AVS Video Editor is hampered by poor overall performance;

How to edit a AVI file?

To modify AVI files, you need to install special software that makes it possible to open and edit video files. Online AVI editors are more restricted compared to software designed for Audio Video Interleave Format.

Best AVI editors 2026

Based on the specified criteria, here is a list of AVI editors that may fit your requirements.

AVI Editor Software	Developer	Platforms	Overall Rating
AVS Video Editor	OMT	Windows	4.9 out of 5 (40 reviews)
ApowerEdit	Apowersoft	Windows	4.8 out of 5 (39 reviews)
PowerDirector	CyberLink	Windows	4.5 out of 5 (36 reviews)
Video Edit Magic	DeskShare	Windows	4.5 out of 5 (36 reviews)
Movavi VideoSuite Personal	Movavi	Windows	4.4 out of 5 (40 reviews)
Adobe Premiere Pro	Adobe	Windows, Mac OS	4.2 out of 5 (40 reviews)
VirtualDub	Avery Lee	Windows	4.1 out of 5 (35 reviews)

Convert files to and from AVI

If handling a AVI file is problematic, consider converting it to alternative formats such as MOV, MPG, MPEG, WAV, GIF or other supported types.

After converting a AVI file, some capabilities may be limited, but you can often convert it back to the original format.

Using offline converters like MPEG Streamclip, MediaCoder and iSkysoft Video Converter ensures high-quality conversion of AVI files to different formats.