Extract text from Syslinux COM32 modules (C32)
To convert C32 modules to another format, you need Syslinux or other System software.
To convert other file formats to the "Bootloader Plugin" file type, you need software like Syslinux or a similar tool.
A .C32 file is a 32-bit executable module associated with the Syslinux project, specifically used by bootloaders like ISOLINUX, PXELINUX, and SYSLINUX. These files act as plugins that extend the bootloader's functionality, enabling graphical menus (vesamenu.c32), hardware detection (hdt.c32), or chain-loading other operating systems (chain.c32).
The primary issue with .C32 files is that they are binary executables (often based on the ELF format) designed to run in a pre-operating system environment. They cannot be executed directly in Windows or macOS, nor can they be opened in standard text editors like Notepad without appearing as garbled nonsense. Users typically encounter them when troubleshooting bootable USB drives created with tools like Rufus or YUMI. Because they are compiled code, they are proprietary to the specific version of Syslinux they were built for; mixing a menu.c32 from version 4.0 with a version 6.0 bootloader often causes boot failures ("Failed to load libcom32.c32" error).
For most users, there is no need to convert these files for standard media use. However, developers and advanced users may need to "convert" them for analysis:
Convert.Guru analyzes your C32 file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.
Users also converted CR2, MBR, EXT and BIN files.
If you want to convert C32 file to SYS, DLL, EXE, DRV, VXD, 386, COM, BAT, CMD, SCR, PIF or LNK, you can use Syslinux or similar software from the "Bootloader Executable Module" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert MSI, EXE, REG, MST, LNK, CAB, CAT, DRV, INF, SYS, MSU or DLL files to C32, try Syslinux or another comparable tool in the "Bootloader Executable Module" category.
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our C32 converter.