VIR File Extension

VIR file icon

Virus-Infected Format

What is a VIR file?

Files with the VIR extension are specifically tied to Virus-Infected Format, a Data Files type, and there are 6196 files in this category.

With the creation of the Virus-Infected Format (VIR), Symantec introduced file format along with 26 programs built for their use.

VIR file support extends to various operating systems, including Windows. You can others a VIR file using one of 8 programs, for example Kaspersky Anti-Virus, Avira AntiVir Personal and AVG Antivirus.

How to open a VIR file?

The most common reason why a VIR file cannot be opened is the absence of required software. To fix this, select a compatible program from the list. Then visit the official developer website via the provided link, download the program, and install it on your system.

Thanks to their popularity, Kaspersky Anti-Virus, Avira AntiVir Personal and AVG Antivirus are often the go-to programs for managing VIR files. To install the updated version of Kaspersky Anti-Virus, simply go to the Kaspersky Lab site and download the installer compatible with all major platforms.

After setup, the operating system should recognize VIR files and link them with Kaspersky Anti-Virus.

Set Kaspersky Anti-Virus to open VIR by default

Change default apps on Mac

  1. Right-click or use Control + Left-click on the desired VIR file to access the file’s context menu;
  2. Choose "Open in Application" and click "Other";
  3. Scroll down to the bottom of the window, and there you will find the "Enable" menu. The default selection is "Recommended Programs";
  4. Choose "All Programs" within this menu and locate Kaspersky Anti-Virus. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to set it as the default program.

Change a default app in Windows

  1. Start the process by right-clicking on your VIR file and selecting "Open With". From there, click "Choose another app" to continue;
  2. Find the Kaspersky Anti-Virus application in the pop-up window and select it as your preferred program;
  3. Select the "Always use this application" check box and click "OK" to save your selection as the default application for opening VIR files.

Easy VIR Troubleshooting

VIR files can sometimes be tricky, but minor software adjustments usually resolve the issues. Refer to the tips below for guidance.

Why does Kaspersky Anti-Virus stop responding or crash intermittently?

Lack of regular software updates can cause Kaspersky Anti-Virus to crash. Make sure you have installed the latest updates for Kaspersky Lab products.

Restarting your computer is often an effective solution to resolve various common problems. Therefore, it is recommended to do so before making any changes to the software configuration.

What are the best practices for repairing a VIR file that has gone bad?

Start a recovery program, open the damaged VIR file and then select the "Repair" menu item to start the repair procedure. Please wait patiently for the recovery process to finish as it will automatically repair the damaged data files.

How can I confirm if my VIR file has been damaged?

Characteristics of corrupted VIR data files can include:

  • Trying to work with the archive in Kaspersky Anti-Virus or other programs causes instability or program crashes;
  • The file does not open correctly or displays error messages;
  • An unexplained increase in the size of the VIR file;
  • The file operation is accompanied by the display of error messages;