How to open a JSON file on Windows 10 and 11 (step by step)

This tutorial will show you step by step how to open a JSON file on Windows 10 and 11.

You don't need an extra third-party program to open JSON files on Windows 10 and 11; you can use a program already installed in those operating systems.

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is an open standard file format and data interchange format that uses human-readable text to store and transmit data objects consisting of attribute–value pairs and arrays (or other serializable values).


How to open a JSON file on Windows 10 and 11

  1. Open File Explorer.
    Windows 11 File Explorer
  2. In File Explorer, you go to the JSON file.
  3. Right-click on the JSON file.
  4. Click on Open with. In some cases, you may need to hover over Open with and then click on Choose another app.
    Windows contextmenu open with
  5. In the next window, you select on Notepad.
    Open a JSON file in Windows 11 with Notepad
  6. Click on Always.
    Open a JSON file in Windows 11 with Notepad

Notepad will now open the JSON file.

If you want a more advanced Notepad, then I recommend Notepad++.