What Is the Mime File Extension?

Mime, or Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions, enhances the functionality of email. Primarily, it allows users to attach files to an email. All emails are encoded with the Mime standard, but most email programs and webmail sites don't display the Mime header information.

How to Recognize a Mime File

Most Mime files have the .mim file extension on the end of the file name, though some programs add the .mme extension instead. The icon for Mime files varies based on the software installed on your computer.

How to Open a Mime File

Mime files are bundled multiple attachments sent via email. You can open a .mim or .mme file with WinZip or similar decompressing software.

Why Mime Files Are Created

Older email programs and some services like America Online create a .mim or .mme file to handle binary data such as pictures and other attachments not supported by their normal email system.

How Popular Are Mime Files?

Since more and more email programs are starting to support HTML emails, they no longer need to create Mime files. Very few programs currently on the market rely on this type of data transmission.

Fun Fact

Mime files were often used on the early Usenet Newsgroups system to allow users to download multiple files.

References

• How to open mim files
• What is MIM?