9 file types use the .ins file extension.

What is an INS file?

An INS file is an installer script used by LaTeX typesetting software. It is typically distributed with a .DTX DOCTex package and contains instructions for extracting the DTX content into separate files, such as .STY or .TEX files.

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Common INS Filenames

Category: Data Files

Ensoniq Instrument

An INS file may also be a digital instrument sample used by Ensoniq synthesizers and sound cards, including the Mirage, ASR-10, and SD-1. It contains audio data and configuration settings that define how a particular instrument sounds when played on compatible Ensoniq devices.

Ensoniq synthesizers were popular among musicians and sound designers in the 1980s and 1990s. INS files were integral to creating and managing sounds for performances or compositions, enabling users to store and load instrument presets that recreate authentic instrument tones. While modern audio production tools may no longer use this format directly, tools like sample editors or legacy software may support INS files for converting or integrating them into contemporary digital audio workflows.

You can open INS files with Chicken Systems Ensoniq Disk Tools in Windows. Original Ensoniq synthesizers that support the INS format, such as ASR-10 and SD-1, can also play the file if you have access to them.

Programs that open INS files

Updated: November 21, 2024

Internet Naming Service File

Locates IP addresses and names of computers on the Internet, often referred to as "name resolution;" translates the IP address into a name that is stored by the Windows Internet Naming Service; not meant to be manually opened or altered.

Programs that open or reference INS files

Updated: February 14, 2007

Adlib Tracker Instrument File

File created by Adlib Tracker, an audio tracking application; contains instrument samples accessed by Adlib Tracker to create compositions; file size is fixed and should not be opened.

NOTE: The Adlib Tracker II instrument file has the .A2I extension.

Programs that open or reference INS files

Updated: September 18, 2013

Sample Cell II Instrument Definition File

Contains one instrument definition and references to external audio files used by the instrument; used by both Mac and Windows platforms, but incompatible with each other.

Does not contain actual audio data.

Programs that open or reference INS files

Updated: December 1, 2006

Internet Settings File

File used by Windows for setting up dial-up and broadband Internet connections; contains connection setup information that enables Windows to setup Internet access with an ISP when opened; also commonly used for setting up Internet Explorer (IE) LAN connection settings.

System administrators and ISPs sometimes provide IE connection settings files to users with a URL to the INS file. However, as a security precaution, webpage links to INS files are blocked by Internet Explorer so that arbitrary scripts cannot be run on the local computer from a Web link. Instead of placing the link in the Web address field, you need to use the the IE settings dialog to apply the connection settings.

Programs that open or reference INS files

Updated: July 20, 2011

Inspiration File

Data file created by Inspiration, a visual thinking and learning program typically used for educational purposes; sometimes referred to as a "mind map" file, since it may contain concept maps, webs, and idea maps.

Inspiration files can be viewed visually in Diagram View or displayed in a linear format, using Outline View.

Programs that open INS files

Updated: May 28, 2009

AGT Game Instruction File

Instruction file used by AGiliTY, an Adventure Game Toolkit (AGT) interpreter; contains instructions on how to play the AGT game it is packaged with; does not need to be included with AGT game.

An AGT game is played by typing commands to navigate through a story. It's similar to a choose-your-own-adventure book. AGiliTy emulates older machines from the 1980s and 1990s that played the original AGT games.

AGT games can be packaged with a wide variety of files that contain game data, including .TTL and .VOC files. Because of the large number of files that accompany the AGT game, the files can be converted into a single .AGX file with the AGT2AGX utility that comes with AGiliTy. This conversion reduces load time, game file size, and clutter.

[name of the game].ins - The INS file bears the same name of the game.

Programs that open or reference INS files

Updated: March 7, 2014

Internet Explorer Installation Settings

Install.ins is a settings file used by Microsoft Internet Explorer. It determines defaults for a user's instance of Internet Explorer. Administrators deploying managed versions of Internet Explorer can create custom install.ins files to specify custom defaults.

Internet Explorer is a common web browser included with many versions of Windows. All versions of Internet Explorer, including personal users' versions, include a file named install.ins . This file contains plain text data that specifies some Internet Explorer settings.

While a typical user's version of install.ins contains settings related mostly to the app's branding and version, a managed instance of Internet Explorer might include an install.ins file that specifies many more settings. For example, the file might alter Internet Explorer's name, specify a user's default search engine, specify default Favorites, and control whether and how a user can connect to proxy servers.

NOTE: IT administrators create install.ins files using the Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK).

Install.ins - Used to set certain Internet Explorer defaults.

You can open install.ins in Microsoft Notepad (Windows) or any other text editor, but Windows will not allow you to save any edits you make to the file. If you want to replace your copy of install.ins , create a copy of the file, edit the copy, and then replace your current copy of install.ins with your edited copy.

Programs that open or reference INS files

Updated: January 19, 2023