File.mat Changed to Microsoft Access Table

Hi Everyone, I have something weird happened to my output data files. These files used to be in .mat format, but all the sudden these files changed to Microsoft Access Table. However, when I run these files in Matlab, they do run. Is there any idea what the reason behind that happening?

Best,

[Rik]

Yes: Windows being overzealous. The files are still the same, but now Windows thinks it should describe them as Microsoft Access Tables, because that uses the .mat extension as well.

[Omar]

Thanks Rik for your reply. Is there a way to return them to the old format (.mat)?

[Rik]

It is still a .mat file. You can set the preferred program to open a file type in the Windows settings, or you can right-click a .mat file, open the 'open with' dropout, and select the 'open with other app/program' item. There you can select Matlab and make sure you have the 'always use this program' checkbox checked.

[Omar]

Thanks Rik again. The problem has been solved.

Answer 1

[Rishabh Ramesh Rathore]

Its just Windows misinterpreting the extensions. You should stil be able to excess those files from Matlab prompt.

You can even try the following:

1. Right-click the file
2. select 'open with'
3. browse to matlab and check 'the always use this app to open .mat files'
4. click ok

[Image Analyst]

Note: there is no "Open with" when right clicking the file in Windows 10 File Explorer.

Answer 2

[neurosock hardcore BCIs]

As @Image Analyst wrote this option is not there in Windows 10. To solve the issue (May 2021) I followed partially this instruction: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/msoffice_powerpoint-mso_win10-mso_2016/how-to-dis-associate-a-default-file-extension-in/bfc5e996-28be-4bd9-98f8-465022d79b5f

In more detail:

1. Go to Control Panel.
2. Click on Programs.
3. Click on Default Programs.
4. Click on Set your default programs.
5. At the botom click Choose default apps by file type
6. Search .mat in the long list
7. Change the association from Access to MATLAB by clicking on the icon to the right

Cheers!