How to: View a File

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Visual SourceSafe Explorer automatically displays a file in an editor program using its View File and View commands. These commands are used to simply look at a file, without changing anything.

Security noteSecurity Note

Some types of files, for example, executable files, Web page files, and script files, might contain viruses or scripts that can be harmful to your computer. If you need to open these kinds of files using any program other than the default SourceSafe editor, you must be certain that the file is from a trustworthy source.

The View Files command is found on the Edit menu of Visual SourceSafe Explorer. The View command is available in both the Visual SourceSafe Explorer History of <name> dialog box and the Share with <name> dialog box.

To view a database version of a file using the Edit menu:

  1. In Visual SourceSafe Explorer, select the file to view.

  2. On the Edit menu, click View File.

  3. In the File dialog box, specify the editor program in the Use box. The registered editor for Windows is the default. If no editor is registered with Windows, the SourceSafe editor is used as the default.

  4. Click OK and view the file in the editor you have chosen.

To view another version of a file:

  1. In Visual SourceSafe Explorer, select the file to view.

  2. On the Tools menu, click Show History.

  3. In the History Options dialog box, click OK.

  4. In the History of <name> dialog box, click the version to look at, and then click View.

  5. In the File dialog box, specify the editor program in the Use box. The registered editor for Windows is the default. If no editor is registered with Windows, the SourceSafe editor is used as the default.

  6. Click OK and view the file in the editor you have chosen.

See Also

Tasks

How to: Change the Default Editor

Reference

File Dialog Box (Explorer and Plug-in)
History of <name> Dialog Box (Explorer and Plug-in)
History Options Dialog Box (Explorer and Plug-in)
SourceSafe Options Dialog Box, General Tab