.ocx File Extension ? A Brief Description
The file extension .ocx is associated with Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) Control files. Originally, files with the .ocx extension were referred to as OLE custom controls. However, now .ocx files are commonly called ActiveX controls.
.ocx files are developer files used within ActiveX forms.
Purpose of .ocx files
An .ocx file contains control behaviors that are used for various functions, such as handling movement of the scroll bar or window resizing.
Internet Explorer requires .ocx files to render web pages, as well as to perform various internal program functions.
Typically, ActiveX controls (OCX) files are written using Visual Basic or C++ and these files are used by various applications running on a Windows operating system. On any given Windows computer, numerous files with the .ocx extension are present.
Windows operating systems depend on various .ocx files to perform different critical functions. It is important to remember that you should not delete .ocx files, as doing so is likely to make your Windows computer unstable and in some cases may even prevent it from booting.
Examples of .ocx files:
Listed below are the names of common .ocx files:
- Dmview.ocx
- Flash10d.ocx
- Plugin.ocx
- Wmidx.ocx
How to register/unregister OLE controls, such as ActiveX (OCX) files and DLL files
You can register/unregister OCX files and DLL files using the Regsvr32 tool.
To register an .ocx file in Windows 7, perform the following commands:
- Click Start, type command prompt in the Start Search box, right-click command prompt, and click Run as administrator.
- At command prompt, type regsvr32 <filename.ocx> and press Enter.
- Type exit and press Enter to close the Command Prompt window.
- Restart your PC.
If you need to unregister an OCX or DLL file, type regsvr32 /u <filename.ocx> at command prompt and press Enter.
Programs that open .ocx files in Windows:
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2010
.ocx files ? security report
Though .ocx files are safe files, various malware programs are known to use this file extension for malicious purposes. Care should be taken if you receive an .ocx file as an email attachment or you download an .ocx file from the Internet. It is best that you scan an external .ocx file using your protective software before you try to open it.
If you are unable to open an .ocx file or any other file type using programs installed on your computer then it is best to seek the services of a reliable file helper software.