.ACO File Recovery

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .ACO file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

ACO File Recovery

What is a .ACO file?

An ACO file is a color file used by Adobe Photoshop, a raster graphics editing program. It stores a color swatch, which is a collection of predefined colors, along with the name of each color, which is displayed when hovering the mouse over the color in the color palette. ACO files are used for creating images that conform to certain color standards.

What Are Common Causes of ".ACO" Files Lost or Failure?

There are several common causes of ".ACO" files being lost or experiencing failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".ACO" files while organizing or cleaning up their computer's storage.
  2. System crashes: If the computer system crashes or experiences a sudden power outage while working with ".ACO" files, it can lead to file corruption or loss.
  3. Virus or malware attacks: Malicious software can infect and damage ".ACO" files, making them inaccessible or causing them to be deleted.
  4. File system errors: Issues with the file system, such as disk errors or bad sectors, can lead to the loss or corruption of ".ACO" files.
  5. Software conflicts: Incompatibility issues or conflicts with other software programs can cause ".ACO" files to fail or become inaccessible.
  6. Hardware failure: Physical damage to the storage device, such as a hard drive failure or a faulty memory card, can result in the loss of ".ACO" files.
  7. Improper file handling: Improperly closing or saving ".ACO" files, forceful ejection of storage devices, or interrupting file transfer processes can lead to file corruption or loss.
  8. Software bugs or glitches: Sometimes, bugs or glitches in software applications that handle ".ACO" files can cause them to fail or become corrupted.

To minimize the risk of ".ACO" file loss, it is recommended to regularly back up important files, use reliable antivirus software, and handle files with care.

How to recover lost ".ACO" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".ACO" file may be deleted.

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🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".ACO" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".ACO" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".ACO" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software
  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".ACO" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type
  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored
  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan
  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery
  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".ACO" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo adobe Photoshop Color Swatch File image file file?

Programs that open ".ACO" files

Windows
Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 Adobe Photoshop CC 2019
Mac
Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 Adobe Photoshop CC 2019
Web
ACO File Viewer ACO File Viewer

Additional Information

  • File type: Adobe Photoshop Color Swatch File

  • File extension: .ACO

  • Developer: Adobe Systems

  • Category: Settings Files

  • Format: Binary

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 12:01 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .ACO files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What are some common reasons for encountering problems when opening .ACO files, and how can they be fixed?

    There can be several reasons for encountering problems when opening .ACO files (Adobe Color Swatch files). Here are some common issues and their potential solutions:

    1. Incompatible Software: If you are trying to open an .ACO file with software that does not support this file format, it may result in an error. Ensure that you are using software that can open and work with .ACO files, such as Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator.
    2. Corrupted File: If the .ACO file itself is corrupted, it may cause problems while opening. Try obtaining a fresh copy of the file from a reliable source or ask the sender to resend it.
    3. File Association Issues: If your operating system does not have the correct file association for .ACO files, it may fail to open them properly. To fix this, you can manually associate .ACO files with the appropriate software. Right-click on the file, select "Open With," choose the correct software, and check the box to "Always use this program to open these files."
    4. Outdated Software Version: If you are using an outdated version of software that supports .ACO files, it may have compatibility issues. Consider updating your software to the latest version to ensure compatibility with the file.
    5. File Conversion Problems: Sometimes, attempting to convert an .ACO file to a different format (e.g., .ASE) can cause issues. Ensure that you are using reliable file conversion tools or try opening the .ACO file directly instead of converting it.
    6. Insufficient Permissions: If you do not have the necessary permissions to access or open the .ACO file, it may result in an error. Ensure that you have the appropriate permissions or contact the file owner/administrator to grant you access.

    If none of these solutions work, it is recommended to seek further assistance from software support forums or the software's official support channels for more specific troubleshooting steps.

  • Are there any specific software or tools that can help troubleshoot and resolve issues with opening .ACO files?

    Yes, there are several software and tools that can help troubleshoot and resolve issues with opening .ACO files. Some of them include:

    1. Adobe Photoshop: As .ACO files are primarily used for storing color swatches, Adobe Photoshop, a popular image editing software, can open and manipulate .ACO files. It offers various color-related features and options to work with color swatches.
    2. Adobe Illustrator: Another Adobe software, Illustrator, also supports .ACO files. It allows you to open, edit, and manage color swatches from .ACO files. Illustrator offers advanced tools for working with colors and creating vector graphics.
    3. ColorPicker: ColorPicker is a free online tool that allows you to open and view .ACO files. It provides a user-friendly interface to explore and extract color swatches from .ACO files. You can also convert the swatches to various color formats.
    4. ACO Viewer: ACO Viewer is a standalone software designed specifically for opening and previewing .ACO files. It provides a simple interface to view the colors in the swatch file. Although it doesn't offer editing capabilities, it can be useful for troubleshooting and identifying issues with .ACO files.
    5. Online File Converter: There are various online file conversion websites that can convert .ACO files to other formats like .ASE (Adobe Swatch Exchange) or .PNG. Converting the file format might help resolve compatibility issues with certain software.

    Remember to always download software from trusted sources and be cautious while using online tools to avoid any security risks.

  • Are there any alternative file formats or methods that can be used as a workaround if problems persist when trying to open .ACO files?

    Yes, there are alternative file formats and methods that can be used as workarounds if you're having trouble opening .ACO files. Here are a few options:

    1. Adobe ASE (Adobe Swatch Exchange): ASE files are similar to ACO files and can be used as an alternative. They contain color swatches that can be imported into various Adobe design software.
    2. Manual creation: If you know the specific color values, you can manually recreate the color swatches in your design software. This involves noting down the RGB, CMYK, or hexadecimal values of the colors and manually adding them to your swatch library.
    3. Online converters: There are online tools available that can convert ACO files to other formats like ASE or even plain text. You can search for "ACO to ASE converter" online and find various options.
    4. Third-party software: Some third-party software or plugins can help open and convert ACO files. These tools often provide additional features and compatibility with different design software.
    5. Contact Adobe support: If you're facing persistent issues with opening ACO files, it's advisable to reach out to Adobe support. They can provide specific troubleshooting steps or guidance to resolve the problem.

    Remember to exercise caution when downloading files or using third-party software, and always ensure that you have a backup of your original files before attempting any conversions or modifications.

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