Method 1: the browser you already have
- Go to asiceviewer.com.
- Drop the file onto the page.
You get the documents, the signers, signing times and an integrity check. The browser is the only program involved, and every computer has one.
Method 2: the ZIP trick
An .asice container is a ZIP archive, and every operating system can open ZIP files.
- Copy the file.
- Rename the copy so it ends in
.zip. - Double-click it and extract.
You will find the documents next to a META-INF folder. This method reveals content, but the signatures appear as raw XML that says little to a human reader.
Method 3: your phone
Forward the file to yourself or open the mail on your phone, save the attachment and open the same web address in the mobile browser. On Android you can alternatively install the ASiC-E Viewer app, though that is, strictly speaking, software.
What each method gives you
| Browser viewer | ZIP trick | Phone browser | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read documents | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| See signers and times | Yes | No | Yes |
| Integrity check | Yes | No | Yes |
| Works offline | After the page loaded | Yes | After the page loaded |
Works with .ddoc | Yes | No | Yes |
| Risk of confusion | Low | Medium | Low |
When "no software" is not enough
Two tasks always need installed software:
- Signing requires DigiDoc4 and your electronic identity.
- Official validation requires a validator with trust lists.
If your task is to read and to see who signed, you do not need either.
A note for IT departments
A browser-based viewer needs no deployment, no licence and no update process. The page works under a strict content security policy and makes no third-party requests, which makes it easy to allow on managed networks. The documents stay on the endpoint.
Which to choose
Start with method 1. Keep method 2 as a fallback for damaged containers or computers without internet. Use method 3 when you are away from your desk. Other situations are covered in view ASiC-E files online.
Frequently asked questions
Can Windows open .asice files by itself?
Not directly. Windows can open the renamed .zip copy, or you can use a browser-based viewer.
Is a browser viewer really not software?
The browser is already installed; the viewer is a web page running in it. Nothing is added to your computer.