Microsoft National Language Support data
File type: System file
An nls file extension is associated with Microsoft Windows and used for its Microsoft National Language Support files.
Found 3 different file type records with the same nls filename suffix.
File type category:
System file
Date updated: December 31, 2024
The nls file extension is used for one of the system files in Microsoft Windows operating system.
The nls files contain language translation information, that allows Windows to convert between different character sets. The .nls files are usually found in the Windows/System32 directory.
If the nls files are deleted, Windows may display error message.
These files are not meant to be opened and altered directly.
Conversion to other formats is not possible.
Software applications that handle other tasks involving nls files:
File type category:
Source code and script file
Date updated: October 6, 2026
The nls file extension is used by NetLogo, an agent-based modelling and simulation environment developed by the Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling at Northwestern University.
An nls file is a plain-text source file containing NetLogo procedures, declarations and other model code. NetLogo models commonly use these files for source code that is included in a model rather than stored directly in the model's main source section.
NetLogo is available for Microsoft Windows, macOS and Linux.
Use NetLogo to open and edit an nls file. The file can be used as an included source file in a NetLogo model.
Because an nls file is plain text, it can also be viewed or edited with a text editor, although NetLogo is needed to check and run its NetLogo code.
An nls file is source code, so it does not have a useful general-purpose conversion format. Edit and save the code in NetLogo if changes are needed.
The code can be copied into a NetLogo model or kept as an included source file. Saving it as another text format may preserve the characters but will not convert it into a different executable or model format.
File type category:
Dangerous and malicious file
Date updated: November 20, 2017
The nls extension is also reported to have been used by the Troj/Agent-GIS, a Trojan for the Windows platform. Troj/Agent-GIS includes functionality to access the internet and communicate with a remote server via HTTP.
When Troj/Agent-GIS is installed it creates the file
Software applications that handle other tasks involving nls files:
Microsoft Windows
Language
