What Is an MSE File?

Lots of software use MSE files for completely different reasons

By
Tim Fisher
Photo of Tim Fisher, Lifewire GM and Writer
Tim Fisher
Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability
  • Emporia State University
Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the SVP and General Manager of Lifewire.
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Updated on February 9, 2023

What to Know

  • Your MSE file could be a slideshow project created and used by CyberLink's MediaShow software.
  • Several other file formats use MSE files. Yours might open with 3ds Max, Perfect Keyboard, Magic Set Editor, etc.

This article explains the several file formats that use MSE files. They're all created and used for different reasons, so we explain how to open and convert each kind.

What Is an MSE File?

A file with the MSE file extension is most likely a slideshow project used with CyberLink's MediaShow software. The format is used to hold text, sounds, transition effects, images, and anything else related to the slideshow or video.

However, there are several other uses:

  • Encrypted 3ds MAXScript files, created so the source code can't be seen or changed.
  • An XML-like format used to describe a 3D model.
  • A type of compact instrument file format used to store audio data.
  • Perfect Keyboard is a program that automates the typing of text as if the keyboard were entering the data, and it too uses MSE files as a macro file that enables the user to perform a certain action (like to strike certain keys or click the mouse) in order to run predefined text.
  • Magic Set Editor generates images of trading cards. MSE is both an abbreviation for this program and a naming scheme that the software uses when creating the cards.

MSE is also an abbreviation for the Microsoft Security Essentials antivirus program, but there probably aren't any files in that application that end with the .MSE file extension.

How to Open an MSE File

If your MSE file is a slideshow file, it should be opened with MediaShow. However, CyberLink has discontinued the program, so we don't have a download link for it.

Autodesk's 3ds Max is the program used to open encrypted 3ds MAXScript files.

If you think that your file is saved in the text-based format that's used for displaying models, you might try using Moose. Since they're in a plain text format, a simple text editor/viewer might do the trick, too, like Windows Notepad or Notepad++.

We don't have much information on MSE files that contain audio, but you might be able to open one with a program like Maize Sampler or Maize Studio. The popular VLC media player could work, too, but you probably have to drag the file into VLC while the application is open (that software likely doesn't open MSE files the normal way).

MSE files that are Perfect Keyboard macro files can be opened using Pitrinec Software's Perfect Keyboard program.

If your MSE file is related to Magic Set Editor, then it's probably named something like *.mse-set. These are archives that, when opened, reveal a file named "set," probably without a file extension, as well as a JPG of the card.

You can open the archive with 7-Zip or any other file unzip tool (but you might have to first append ".zip" to the end of the file). The "set" file can be viewed with any text editor.

While it's probably not too likely with a less common extension like MSE, you might find that one program opens these files by default when you'd really rather have another supporting program do it. Luckily, you can change file associations in Windows if you'd like to.

How to Convert an MSE File

MediaShow files can be "converted" to WMV and some other video formats with the Produce button.

We aren't aware of other file formats an MSE can be converted to using 3ds Max, but it's assumed that the program supports a lot of different export formats -- these types of programs typically do. You can probably find a list of them through a File > Save As or Export menu within the 3ds Max program.

The same thing applies to the other formats mentioned above. If those kinds of MSE files even can be converted to other formats, it's most likely accomplished through the specific program that opens that type of MSE file. For instance, Maize Sampler may be able to convert an MSE file to an audio format, while Perfect Keyboard might support exporting its MSE file to a text-based format.

Still Can't Open the File?

If your MSE file doesn't open with any of the above programs, double-check that you're reading the file extension correctly.

Although their file extensions are similar, MSE files don't open with the same programs that MSI, MSR, MSG, and MSDVD files do. If you have one of those files, follow the link to learn more about it and what file openers support that format.

If your MSE file doesn't open with the suggestions from above, we recommend using a text file viewer like Notepad++ to open the file as a text document. There may be some identifiable text within all the gibberish that makes up your MSE file that can help determine what program was used to create it or what format the file is in.

FAQ
  • What is an MSE file VST?

    A VST is a plugin often used for creating audio effects, such as piano sounds. Digital audio programs use these effects when they're creating sounds or modifying recorded sounds. You can use VST plugins when you're creating a MediaShow slideshow project, which will become a file ending in MSE.

  • What is an MSE cache file?

    If you see a folder called MSECACHE on your Windows PC, it's likely a cache folder for the Windows Installer Cleanup utility. You may see it if you've recently uninstalled a program, such as Microsoft Office. It's safe to delete this file.

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