12 June, 2010

Common Filename Extensions

(Notes: Some programs may use these extensions for other types of files. Never delete a file unless you have a ready backup or are absolutely sure what it is. Also, there are many other types of files that are not listed here; this is just a sample list of some of the most common extensions.)

??_ =  LZW Compressed file for use with Expand command
CUR =  Cursor
??K =  Usually, if an extension ends with K, it is a backup file for a
DA0 =  Registration backup file particular program (except BMK--Help Bookmark)
DAT =  Program data file
??T =  Possibly a Template file for the format that starts with the same
DBF =  Database file (originally Dbase, but used by many programs) two letters
DCT =   Adobe Illustrator Spelling Dictionary
3GR =  Enhanced mode video grabber
DCX =   DCX Image (Kodak Imager, maybe??)
ACL =  MS Office AutoCorrect list
DES =   Database description file (ACT!)
ACM =  Microsoft Setup file
DIB =  Windows Device Independent Bitmap
ACM =  Audio Compression Codec
DIC =  Custom dictionary
ACP =  MS Office Assistant Character Profile (Actor)
DIF =  Data Interchange Format
ACT =  MS Office Assistant Character Actor file
DLL =  Dynamic Link Library, program module that can be called by any
ADI =  AutoCAD plotter file executable
AFM =  Adobe Font Metrics
DOC =  Documents (usually Microsoft Word for Windows)
AI  =  Adobe Illustrator drawing
DOT =  Document template (usually Microsoft Word for Windows)
AIP =   Adobe Illustrator Plugin
DRV =  Device drivers
AKF =   Adobe Acrobat Key file
DTB =  Uninstaller smartlinks file
ANI =  Animated cursor
DUN =  Dial Up Networking configuration file
ANN =  Help annotation file
DXF =  AutoCAD drawing
APF =   Adobe Acrobat Profile file
EPS =  Encapsulated Postscript drawing file
ART =   MS Internet Explorer Artwork
EXE =  Executable program (application)
ASF =  Streaming Audio/Video file
FAV =  MS Outlook Bar shortcut
ASX =  Streaming Audio/Video Shortcut
FDF =   Adobe Acrobat Forms Document
AU =  Digital recording file
FLI =  Animation file
AVB =  MS Chat Character
FLT =   Adobe Illustrator Filter
AVI =  Audio/Video Interleave (MS Movie), video clip
FLT =   Graphics import/export filter
BAK =  Backup files
FM =   Adobe FrameMaker file
BAS =  Basic program. Requires proper version of Basic language to run
FND =  Windows Explorer saved search
BAT =  Batch file of executable DOS commands
FON =  Bitmap? Font
BFC =   Windows Briefcase
FOT =  TrueType Font reference file (also requires a .TTF file)
BGB =  MS Chat Background
FRM =  Form definition
BIN =  Binary file (usually a program supplement)
FTG =  Win95 Help Index file
BMK =  Help file added bookmark file
FTS =  Win95 Help Index file (allows word search within Help file)
BMP =  bitmaps (Paintbrush picture)
GID =  Windows 95 Help setup info file. Created first time you use the
BOOK =  Adobe FrameMaker Book file. Modified when you access Help.
CAB =   Cabinet files (compressed files for use by an installation program)
GIF =  Graphics Image Format (CompuServe) bitmap
CAL =  Calendar file
GRA =  MS Graph chart
CBT =  Computer Based Training (tutorial)
GRB =  Grabber file (usually for Windows to interface with hardware)
CCC =  MS Chat Conversation
GRP =  Program Manager Application group (defines which icons are in
CCH =  CorelChart which window)
CDA =   CD Audio Track
HAV =  High Quality Audio Video (movie)
CDF =   Channel File
HGL =  Hewlett Packard Graphics Language
CDR =  CorelDraw drawing
HLP =  Windows help files
CDT =  CorelDraw template
HT =   HyperTerminal file
CER  =  Security certificate
HTA =   HTML Application
CFG =  Program configuration file
HTM =  Hyper text markup language (web page)
CGM =  Computer Graphics Metafile (vector graphics)
HTML = Hyper text markup language (web page)
CHM =  Compiled HTML file (often used for Help programs)
HTT =   Hypertext Template
CHW =  Compiled HTML help file index (can always be deleted safely)
HYP =   Adobe Illustrator Hyphenation Dictionary
CIL =   MS Clip Gallery Download Package
ICC =  Windows 95 color management profile
CLB =  Corel Draw compressed drawing library
ICL =  Icon library
CLP =   Clipboard Clip
ICO =  Icon file (note: many .exe and .dll files also contain icons)
CMD =  Windows NT command script
IDB =  Quicken Inventory Database
CMP =  lossy bitmap compression format
IDF =  MIDI Instrument Definition
CMX =  Corel Presentation Exchange
IDX =  Index file
CNT =  Windows Help Contents file
IIF =  QuickBooks for Windows export file
CNV =  File format converter file
INF =  Setup information
COM =  Executable DOS commands or programs
INI =  Windows initiation files (information the system uses at program
CPE =  Cover Page Editor document (Microsoft Fax) startup; user settings)
CPL =  Control Panel Library (contains code for Control Panel functions)
ISP =   Internet Communication Settings
CPS =  Central Point Virus Checker tracking file
ITS =   Internet Document Set
CPT =  Corel Photopaint bitmap
JFF =  JPEG bitmap
CRD =  Cardfile card stack file
JFIF =  JPEG image
CRT =  Security certificate
JOB =  Task Scheduler task object
CSS =   Hyper Text Style Sheet
JPE =  JPEG image
CSV =  Comma Separated Value text data file
JPG =  JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) lossy bitmap
QUE =  Task Scheduler Que Object compression format
REC =  Recorder macro file
LDB =  MS Access library file
REG =  Registration information
LEX =  Dictionary or thesaurus file
REP =   Report template (ACT!)
LIB =  Library file
RLE =  Run Length Encoding, lossless bitmap/video compression format.
LNK =  Win95 shortcut
RMI =  Some kind of media player music file (similar to MIDI)
LOG =  Log
RNK =   Dial-up shortcut
LSF =  Streaming Audio/Video file
RTF =  Rich Text Format
LSX =  Streaming Audio/Video Shortcut
RWZ =  Outlook Rules Wizard Rule File
LZW =  Lempel-Ziv-Welch, lossless bitmap compression format
SAM =  Ami Pro document
M3U =  Media Player media file
SBM =  X bitmap image
MAD =  MS Access Module Shortcut
SBX =   Adobe Illustrator Tsume File
MAF =  MS Access Form Shortcut
SCD =  Microsoft Schedule+ calendar file
MAM = MS Access Macro Shortcut
SCF =  Windows Explorer Command
MAQ =  MS Access Query Shortcut
SCR =  Screen saver
MAR =  MS Access Report Shortcut
SCT =  Windows Script component
MAT =  MS Access Table Shortcut
SET =  MS Backup settings file
MDA =  MS Access Database Wizard or Template
SGI =  Silicon Graphics Image
MDB =  MS Access database
SHB =  Shortcut into a document
MDW = MS Access workgroup information
SHD =  Printer spooling file
MID =  MIDI (Musical instrument digital interface) sound file
SHS =  Scrap object
MIF =   Adobe FrameMaker Interchange File
SLK =  MS Excel Data Import
MIX =  MS PhotoDraw graphic metafile
SND =  Sound file
MMM = Multimedia clip
SNP =  MS Access Report Snapshot (compressed)
MMM = Multiple Master metrics (Adobe)
SPL =  Printer spooling file
MOV =  QuickTime Movie
SPL =  Shockwave Flash Object
MP3 =  MP3 music file
SST =   Certificate Store
MPC =  MS Project calendar
STL =   Certificate Trust List
MPD =  MS Project Database file
STS =  Windows Startup System File (deleted upon successful start)
MPG =  MPEG compressed video
SWF =  Shockwave Flash Object
MPP =  MS Project project file
SWP =  Swap file
MPT =  MS Project template
SYD =  Backup configuration files created by using SYSEDIT
MPW =  MS Project Workspace
SYS =  either text system files (like CONFIG.SYS) or system drivers
MPX =  MS Project Exchange file
TAX =  Tax program file
MSG =  MS Exchange (Outlook) message
TGA =  Targa bitmap
NK2 =  MS Outlook AutoComplete entries list
TGA =  Targa bitmap image
OAB =  MS Exchange Offline Address Book
TIF =  Tagged image file format (TIFF) bitmap format for scanned
OCX =  Active X appletimages and photos
OFT =  MS Outlook form template
TMP =  temporary files. TMPs that start with ~ are Windows temp files
OLD =  Copy of configuration file made during program installation
TPL =   Template file (ACT!)
OPX =  MS Org Chart file
TRM =  Windows Terminal settings
OSS =  MS office saved search
TRN =  Translator
PAB =  Win95 Personal Address Book
TTF =  True Type font (note: also requires .FOT file)
PAL =  Color pallette
TUT =  Tutorial file
PAR =  Windows Swap File
TXT =  Text files (ASCII characters)
PAT =  Bitmap pattern for filling drawing objects
UDL =  Uninstaller backup file
PBK =   Dial-up Phonebook
ULS =  Internet Location Service
PCD =  Kodak Photo CD bitmap
URL =  Internet Shortcut (Uniform Resource Locator)
PCL =   Printer Control Language file
VCF =  MS Outlook vCard file
PCS =  Microsoft Office Clipart Gallery
VCS =  MS Outlook vCalendar file
PCX =  PC Paintbrush bitmap
VIR =  Norton Antivirus backup file
PDF =   Adobe Acrobat Portable Document file
VSD =  Visio drawing
PDX =   Adobe Acrobat Catalog Index
VSS =  Visio stencil
PFB =  Printer Font binary (Adobe)
VXD =  Virtual device driver
PFM =  Printer Font Metrics (Adobe)
WAV =  Wave digital audio sound file
PIC =  Lotus graphics, or QuickTime picture
WBK =  MS Word Backup
PIF =  Program Information File (tells Windows how to run DOS apps)
WDB =  MS Works database
PLT =  HP plotter print file
WHT =  MS NetMeeting Whiteboard
PM? =  Performance Monitor file
WIZ =  MS Word Wizard
PNG =  Portable Network Graphics file (Internet bitmap)
WK* =  Lotus 123 worksheet files
POL =  Windows System Policy File
WKS =  MS Works spreadsheet
POT =  Powerpoint 95 presentation template
WLL =  MS Word Add-In
PPA =  MS PowerPoint Add-In
WLL =  MS Word Link Library
PPS =  MS PowerPoint slide show
WMF =  Windows Metafile (vector graphics - clipboard format
PPT =  Powerpoint slide show
WPD =  Word Perfect Document (also used by ACT)
PRN =  Printer file
WPS =  MS Works document
PST =  MS Exchange (Outlook) profile
WRI =  Microsoft Windows Write documents
PT =  Kodak Precision Transform
WSC =  Windows Script component
PWL =  Password Library file
WSH =  Windows Scripting host settings
PWZ =  MS PowerPoint Wizard
XIF =  Wang(?) Image
QBB =  QuickBooks for Windows backup file
XLA =  Microsoft Excel for Windows add-in macro sheet
QBW =  QuickBooks for Windows file
XLB =  Microsoft Excel for Windows settings
QPC =  Kaleidagraph plot file
XLC =  MS Excel chart
QT =  QuickTime video
XLD =  MS Excel Dialog Sheet
XLK =  MS Excel Backup
XLV =  MS Excel VBA module
XLL =  MS Excel Add-In
XML =  XML web page markup language
XLM =  Microsoft Excel for Windows macro sheet
XNK =  Microsoft Exchange Shortcut
XLS =  Microsoft Excel for Windows worksheets (spreadsheets)
XSL =  XML style sheet
XLT =  Microsoft Excel for Windows templates
ZIP =  PKZip compressed file

If you're itching to delete those directories that start with a dollar sign. In a word, don't! Those files hold the information of your NTFS volume. Below is a list of all the files used by the file system:
$MFT—Master File Table
$MFTMIRR—A copy of the first 16 records of the MFT
$LOGFILE—Log of changes made to the volume
$VOLUME—Information about the volume, serial number, creation time, dirty flag
$ATTRDEF—Attribute definitions
$BITMAP—Contains drive cluster map
$BOOT—Boot record of the drive
$BADCLUS—A list of bad clusters on the drive
$UPCASE—Maps lowercase characters to uppercase version

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