Open WINMD File
If you've recently encountered a file with the extension WINMD, you might be wondering what it is and how to open it. This type of file, known as a Windows Metadata file, is typically associated with Windows Runtime (WinRT) applications that are meant to operate across different environments and systems.
Windows Runtime and WINMD Files
The Windows Runtime provides the backbone for the Universal Windows Platform (UWP), allowing developers to write applications that are platform independent within the Windows ecosystem. For detailed insights about the WinRT, you can look at the Microsoft Developers Guide.
WINMD files play a crucial role in this process as they contain metadata (in definitions and references) related to code and API elements within these apps, aiding in their cross-platform functionality. More about WINMD files can be found in this StackOverflow thread.
Opening a WINMD File
Because WINMD files aren't meant to be opened by end-users, but rather to support software development and execution, common applications like text editors might not open them correctly. For understanding the content of a WINMD file, what is needed is a decompiler like JetBrains dotPeek or Microsoft's ILSpy, which can open these files and present the contents in a human readable form. Learn about dotPeek here and ILSpy here.
Manipulating WINMD Files
For developers, manipulating WINMD files can be done within Microsoft Visual Studio, an integrated development environment (IDE) that supports creating, debugging, and publishing of Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps. Documentation on how to use Microsoft Visual Studio for editing can be found here.
WINMD File Important Information
While WINMD files are crucial to the successful running of cross-platform Windows applications, they broadly should only concern software developers working on such software. The average user doesnt need to manipulate these files. Attempting to modify these metadata files could lead to the malfunctioning of the related application.
In conclusion, WINMD files, due their intrinsic link with the Windows Runtime, are a cog in the machine that allows apps to work uniformly across the diverse Windows environment. With the right tools, developers can navigate and manipulate these files to aid in their app development. However, they are not typically something that an end user will need to access.