SVG files are showing up as HTML in my folders


My SVG files says HTML, Lovelytocu.ca

If you are Windows user and have just started downloading SVG files, you may be encountering an annoying little file naming switcheroo that swaps out your SVG file name for an HTML file name. And it even swaps out the little program icon that goes along with it.

Many an unsuspecting user has therefore assumed that the SVG file they just downloaded simply isn't in the folder where it should be.

This happens because your computer wants to open the SVG file as a web browser file instead of an image file for the simple fact that SVG images actually ARE web files. That's just part of what makes an SVG so special and useful.

Windows comes with all sorts of default settings, including which program should open what type of file. So if it reads a file as being made up of web code... then it likely thinks the 'appropriate' program is a web browser, and that's what will be selected by default to open it. Hence the switcheroo, Windows thinks it's being very clever.

Here's an important thing to remember - just because Windows renamed the file, doesn't mean the file has been changed or will work any differently. You can go ahead and use the file exactly as you intended, even if it does say .html. But if it bothers you there are a couple things you can do to fix the issue from happening.

Here's an example of the problem to show you exactly what I'm referring to:


As you can see, this folder contains an HTML file... or does it?

By simply making one tiny change to how the folder is viewed, suddenly that information becomes just a little clearer. Click the 'View' tab in your folder screen, as below, and then tick the 'File Extension' box. By adding the file extensions to the file names in the folder list you get a more accurate view of the actual file types you are looking at.

You don't necessarily need to do anything further. As I already mentioned, the integrity of the file itself is not affected at all and will work exactly as expected in whatever program you are using it in.

If however, you don't like that, and maybe you'd like to be able to double click the SVG file and have it open in a specific software program, you just need to change your computer's default settings. Something that is really not too difficult at all to do.

Right click on the SVG file name in your folder. A menu will appear with an option to 'Open With'. Choosing this creates another menu pop up which will have a list of a few possible programs you can select as the new default. 

If the program you want isn't on that short list select 'Choose Another App'. You'll be presented with a longer list of options to choose from. Ensure that the box 'always use this app to open .svg files' is ticked and select the program you want as your default, for example, Inkscape.

Your SVG files should now be presented correctly on your PC, and will open nicely when clicked!




4 comments

  1. Not sure how old this is, but I still cannot get them to open. The file name will extend to show .svg, but the type is showing HTML. When I try to open it directly while I'm in the Silhouette Studio, it says the file type isn't supported. When I try to open in the folder with "open as" I cannot select the Studio, even when trying to find in the programs, I'm assuming because it's showing as an App on my computer and not a program. Any advice?

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    1. If you are using the free silhouette software, Studio Basic, svg files are not supported and won’t open. You’ll need to use the png or dxf file instead. If you have Studio Designer, the paid version, and are having problems with opening multiple svg files I recommend contacting Silhouette support for advice. If it’s a single file only that is causing problems and all other svg files open, contact me direct and I can look into any possible issues with it.

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  2. I'm having the same problem opening svg's in cricut design space. It says not supported and I'm paying for the cricut design space. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Please help. I wanted to sell some of my files to a friend she's asked for svg files. I did that in canva I can't pull it up?! I'm assuming I'm doing something wrong some where.

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    1. One of the most common reasons for problems loading an svg file is when you are accidentally accessing it from a zipped folder. This can produce errors, so always double check you’re pulling it from an extracted folder.

      The next most common error occurs when the files were created on a Mac but are opened on a pc. Many users accidentally find themselves trying to open the MACOSX thumbnails that show up by default in the folder along with the actual files… I have an article about that here:

      https://www.lovelytocu.ca/2020/06/dealing-with-macosx-files-in-your.html

      It’s also possible (just less likely) that you have a bad file. It might have been corrupted during download, so downloading a clean version and unzipping the folder again might sort the issue.

      If none of these apply, google the exact error message you are getting for more information on that particular software. Likely someone else has experienced the same thing.

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