BAK file format description

Many people share .bak files without attaching instructions on how to use it. Yet it isn’t evident for everyone which program a .bak file can be edited, converted or printed with. On this page, we try to provide assistance for handling .bak files.

1 filename extension(s) found in our database.

Naturally, other applications may also use the .bak file extension. Even harmful programs can create .bak files. Be especially cautious with .bak files coming from an unknown source!

Can't open a .bak file?

When you double-click a file to open it, Windows examines the filename extension. If Windows recognizes the filename extension, it opens the file in the program that is associated with that filename extension. When Windows does not recognize a filename extension, you receive the following message:

Windows can't open this file:

example.bak

To open this file, Windows needs to know what program you want to use to open it. Windows can go online to look it up automatically, or you can manually select one from a list of programs that are installed on your computer.

To avoid this error, you need to set the file association correctly.

• Open Control Panel > Control Panel Home > Default Programs > Set Associations.
• Select a file type in the list and click Change Program.

The .bak file extension is often given incorrectly!

According to the searches on our site, these misspellings were the most common in the past year:

abk, bau, bal, ak, fak, bam, ba

Is it possible that the filename extension is misspelled?

Similar file extensions in our database:

.abk

CorelDraw AutoBackup

.bau

OpenOffice.org AutoText Data

.abk

Kodak EasyShare Addressbook Data

.fak

HP MPE/iX Fixed ASCII KSAM Data

.ak

TracerCAD File

.ba

BSC Intermediate Object

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If you have useful information about the .bak file format, then write to us!