An INI file is a plain-text configuration file that commonly contains section headings and key-value pairs. The application reading the file determines the valid names, values, location, and encoding.
Steps
- Open Notepad.
- Type only the configuration documented by the program, such as a section heading like [Settings] followed by supported key-value entries.
- Choose File > Save As.
- Enter a filename ending in .ini.
- Choose All Files as the file type when necessary so Notepad does not append .txt.
- Select the text encoding required by the application.
- Save the file in the exact location specified by the program’s documentation.
Make sure the extension is really .ini
If Windows hides known extensions, a file that appears to be settings.ini may actually be settings.ini.txt. Enable filename extensions in File Explorer when you need to verify the real name.
Do not guess configuration keys
INI files have no universal list of valid settings. A misspelled key may be ignored, while an invalid value can stop an application from starting correctly.
Back up an existing file first
If you are modifying an existing INI file, save a copy before editing it. Plain-text changes are easy to make but can be difficult to reconstruct when several values are changed at once.
Windows 10 is unsupported
Windows 10 reached the end of standard support in October 2025, although INI files remain common in current software. Use maintained applications and operating systems for ongoing work.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.