.ME file extension
To open .ME files on Windows, open the file in a plain-text editor (for example, Notepad) to view or edit the source.
To open a .ME file, treat it as plain text: open it with a text editor to read or edit it. To view it as formatted output, use groff/troff tools (the “me” macro package) to render it to PDF or PostScript.
Last updated: June 11, 2026 · Reviewed by Julian Stricker
What “reviewed” means on this page
- Format fit: whether the “what is this file?” description matches common real-world use of the extension, including category, typical MIME types, and aliases.
- Opening paths: whether Windows / macOS / Linux steps read plausibly for current OS dialogs and default apps; we remove fantasy menus and unsafe shortcuts.
- Security framing: whether risk notes match the extension class (for example executables vs plain data) and whether affiliate wording does not contradict the security section.
- Sources and further reading: whether external links point to vendors, standards bodies, or other primary references where possible; we avoid inventing details we cannot ground.
- Limits: this is clarity and safety-messaging QA, not a guarantee that every statement is exhaustive or that every binary you download is harmless.
Full methodology in the Imprint — The Imprint also states where AI is used and what that does—and does not—replace.
Open on your device
Choose your operating system for a dedicated step-by-step opening guide.
How to open .ME files
Use these platform-specific instructions to open .ME files safely.
Windows
- Open the file in a plain-text editor (for example, Notepad) to view or edit the source.
- If you need formatted output, render it on a system with groff installed (for example, transfer the file to a Linux/macOS machine) and export to PDF/PostScript there.
Mac
- Open the file in a plain-text editor (for example, TextEdit set to plain text) to view or edit the source.
- For formatted viewing, install and use groff to process the file with the ME macro package and output a PDF/PostScript.
Linux
- Open the file in a text editor to read or edit the roff/ME source.
- Render it with groff using the ME macro package to generate formatted output (PDF/PostScript), then view the generated file.
iOS
- Open it in the Files app with a text-editor app to view the plain text; for proper typeset output, transfer the file to a desktop system that can run groff.
Android
- Open it with a text-editor app to view/edit the source; for formatted output, transfer it to a desktop system and render it with groff.
Security notes
- .ME files are typically plain text, but roff/troff processors are complex parsers—avoid rendering untrusted .ME files with advanced macro features on sensitive systems.
- If you only need to inspect content, open the .ME file in a plain-text editor rather than immediately processing it with troff/groff.
- Be cautious with files that are unexpectedly binary or contain unusual content; a genuine ME troff source should be readable as text.
If you did not expect this file
This extension is usually plain data, text, or structured content—not a program by itself. The practical risk is social engineering (a scam attachment or misleading filename). For trusted senders you rarely need heavy-handed antivirus wording; use these tools when you want an extra check on unexpected downloads.
Avast offers free and premium antivirus software that protects against viruses, malware, ransomware, and phishing. Scan files before opening them to ensure safety.
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Can't open this file?
These are the most common causes and fixes when .ME files fail to open.
Common reasons
- The file opens as “garbled text” or looks like code
- Double-clicking does nothing or opens the wrong app
- Rendering fails due to missing macros or tools
Fix steps
- Open the file in a plain-text editor and confirm it contains roff/ME markup.
- Render it with groff using the ME macro package to produce PDF/PostScript, then open the rendered output in a viewer.
OS-specific troubleshooting
What is a .ME file?
.ME is typically a roff/troff source document written for the ME macro package, as recognized by the shared-mime-info database (text/x-troff-me). The file contains plain text plus roff requests and ME macros that are interpreted by troff/groff to produce formatted documents.
Background
In Unix-like documentation and publishing workflows, roff/troff documents are written as plain text with markup macros and then processed into formatted output. The “me” macro package is one of the traditional full-service macro sets used with troff/groff.
In groff documentation, “me” is listed as a general macro package, and example/reference documents are distributed with a .me suffix (for example, meintro.me and meref.me). This makes .ME a common extension for ME-macro input sources rather than a single “app-specific data file.”
On Linux and other systems that use the freedesktop.org shared MIME database, .me is associated with the MIME type text/x-troff-me and described as “Troff ME input document.” Some environments may also treat .me as generic troff input (for example, mapping it to text/troff), so opening it as text is usually safe and practical.
Common MIME types: application/x-troff-me
Further reading
Authoritative resources for more details on the .ME format.
Common .ME issues
The file opens as “garbled text” or looks like code
.ME files are source documents containing roff requests and ME macros; they are meant to be processed by troff/groff, not read like a finished document.
- Open the file in a plain-text editor and confirm it contains roff/ME markup.
- Render it with groff using the ME macro package to produce PDF/PostScript, then open the rendered output in a viewer.
Double-clicking does nothing or opens the wrong app
Your system may not have a file association for text/x-troff-me (or it may treat .me as a different text type).
- Use “Open with…” and choose a text editor to view/edit it.
- Optionally set your default app for *.me to a text editor or a roff-aware editor if you work with these files regularly.
Rendering fails due to missing macros or tools
Formatting requires a troff implementation (commonly groff) that includes the ME macro package.
- Install groff and ensure the ME macros are available (the groff documentation lists “me” as a supported macro package).
- Try rendering again after installation, or test on a Linux distribution where groff is commonly available.
FAQ
Is a .ME file just a text file?
Usually yes: it is plain text containing troff/roff markup for the ME macro package. You can read it in a text editor, but it is intended to be rendered for formatted output.
What MIME type is associated with .ME?
In the freedesktop.org shared MIME database, *.me maps to text/x-troff-me (“Troff ME input document”). Some systems may also map .me to a more generic troff type such as text/troff.
How do I turn a .ME file into a PDF?
Use groff/troff with the ME macro package to render the source into a typeset format (commonly PostScript or PDF), then open the generated PDF with a PDF viewer.
Should I rename .ME to .TXT to open it?
Renaming is not necessary. Most editors can open it directly; changing the extension can confuse tooling that recognizes it as troff/ME input.
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