Jing SWF videos (the only type of video available in the free version of Jing) is optimized for viewing on the Web. You make a video, send a link to the video and people click the link and watch your video.

However, maybe you want to save SWF videos to your computer. If you double-click a Jing-created SWF to open it, there's a good chance your computer won't know what to do with it...and you might get a dialog like this:

Now just because your computer might not know what to do with the SWF doesn't mean you can't "teach" it.

Important: All SWFs are not the same. Some, like Jing's are videos with the controls attached to the bottom. But SWFs shouldn't be assumed to be a video format--it's really a Flash application. For example there are any number of SWF games people play on the web, so please be careful if you start trying to open non-Jing SWFs as described below.

There are two main ways to open Jing SWF videos on your computer.

The first is the simplest and done on a per-file basis. Open your favorite web browser, then click and drag the SWF file into the browser window. The Jing SWF will play in the browser. You may need to resize your browser depending on the size of the video.

You can also associate the .swf file extension with your favorite browser. This is a more long term solution as your browser will attempt to open any and all SWF files when double clicked.

• For Vista
• For XP
• For Mac OS 10.5

To do so using Windows Vista:

1. Right click the SWF file.
2. Choose Open With
3. Click Choose Default Program...
4. The goal is to associate your favorite web browser with this file type. It is unlikely a browser like Internet Explorer or Firefox will appear in Recommended programs. If your browser appears in the recommended programs, select it. Make sure Always use the selected program to open this kind of file is checked. Click OK. If your browser does not appear in Recommended programs, click the Browse button.
5. Navigate and select your desired browser. The file you are looking for will likely be in a subfolder of the Program Files directory. It will be an .exe file. For example Firefox.exe or iexplore.exe and should have a familiar-looking icon.
6. Make sure Always use the selected program to open this kind of file is checked. Click OK.

Now, when you double click a SWF file, it will open in your associated browser.

To do so using Windows XP:

1. Right click the SWF file.
2. Choose Open With...
3. The goal is to associate your favorite web browser with this file type. A browser like Internet Explorer or Firefox might not appear under Choose the program you want to use to open this file dialog. If not, check Always use the selected program to open this kind of file then click the Browse button.
4. Navigate and select your desired browser. The file you are looking for will likely be in a subfolder of the Program Files directory. It will be an .exe file. For example Firefox.exe or iexplore.exe and should have a familiar-looking icon.
5. Click Open.

Now, when you double click a SWF file, it will open in your associated browser.

To do so on Mac OS 10.5:

1. Right click the SWF file.
2. Choose Open With.
3. Click Other...
4. Select the desired browser, most likely from your Applications folder.
5. Check Always Open With.
6. Click Open.

Now, when you double click a SWF file, it will open in your associated browser.