How to read encrypted files

Question

i cant seem to read some files on notepad it all look like gibberish

Answer 1

Hi md,
The file contents are not gibberish to your computer; the data have been translated into machine code or other bits that the computer can read and execute to complete instructions and allow you to interact with the operating system.  The "gibberish" is output when you open the file with Notepad because Notepad does not speak anything except "text".  Most programs on your  computer speak almost everything else besides "text".
There are only a very few types of files on your computer that can be opened and read with the Notepad application.  Notepad will open more types of files than it can understand.  (That is not a particlularly technical description; it will suffice.)
The document Common File Types lists some of the common file formats and the file extensions used to designate them.  The first short section is titled "Text Files" and contains a list of file types that can be opened with the Notepad application.  Even in this list are file formats that, while they can be opened, will appear as "gibberish" when viewed with the simple text viewer. 
For example, a Word file (file extension .doc or docx) when opened with Notepad, will appear as complete nonsense - there is nothing in the file that makes sense.  Open the same file with Microsoft Word and the contents will appear as they should:  text, pictures, tables, and charts that comprise the file's contents show up as they were created by the author of the file.
The short version:  Be real careful what you open with Notepad. 
If you accidentially open the wrong file on your  computer with Notepad
and you accidentially end up having that file "associated" with Notepad
then you can break something very important - like your computer's operating system.
... Depending on the file, that could be trouble.
Will you break your computer opening files with Notepad? 
Probably not.  
Could it happen? 
Yes. 
Be careful. 
If it is not a text file, do not open it with NotePad.
Common File Types
Show or hide file name extensions
I hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
Dragon-Fur