# ASiC-E File Opener: why double-clicking fails and how to fix it

> You double-click an `.asice` file and Windows asks which app to use. Nothing is broken. The system simply has no ASiC-E file opener registered for that extension.

Source: https://asiceviewer.com/en/blog/asice-file-opener/
Published: 2026-11-10 · Digixy

## In short

- Operating systems ship without an opener for `.asice`.
- The fastest opener is a browser tab: drop the file onto [asiceviewer.com](https://asiceviewer.com/en/#tool).
- If you install signing software, it registers itself as the default opener.

## Why nothing happens

Every file extension is linked to a default program. `.pdf` is linked to a PDF reader, `.docx` to a word processor. For `.asice` there is no link out of the box on Windows, macOS, Android or iOS, so the system shows an "Open with" dialog or an error.

Do not pick Notepad or a text editor from that dialog. The file is a compressed archive and will appear as gibberish.

## Three openers that work

| Opener | Installation | Best for |
| Browser at asiceviewer.com | None | Reading a file right now, on any device |
| DigiDoc4 client | Yes | Official validation and signing |
| [ASiC-E Viewer for Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.digixy.asiceviewer&hl=en&referrer=utm_source%3Dasiceviewer.com%26utm_medium%3Dblog-md) | From Google Play | Phones and tablets, also offline |

## Using the browser as your opener

1. Open asiceviewer.com in Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari.
2. Drag the file from your desktop or downloads folder onto the page.
3. Read the documents and signatures. Close the tab when done.

You can keep the page bookmarked, or install it as an app from the browser menu. Chromium browsers then offer ASiCE Viewer in the "Open with" list for `.asice` files.

## Setting a permanent default

On Windows, right-click the file, choose **Open with → Choose another app**, select the program and tick **Always use this app**. On macOS, select the file, press Cmd+I, choose the app under **Open with** and click **Change All**. On Android, the system asks the first time; choose **Always**.

If you only meet a signed container a few times a year, skipping the installation is perfectly reasonable. See [how to open ASiC-E files](https://asiceviewer.com/en/blog/how-to-open-asice-files/) for a comparison of every route.

## Frequently asked questions

**Which program opens .asice files by default?**

None is preinstalled. After installing DigiDoc4 it becomes the default; without it, use a browser-based opener.

**I chose the wrong program and now it always opens in Notepad. How do I undo it?**

Right-click the file, choose Open with, pick the correct app and tick the option to always use it. That replaces the earlier choice.

---

Open your .asice file now: https://asiceviewer.com/en/
ASiC-E Viewer on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.digixy.asiceviewer