P12 file format description

Many people share .p12 files without attaching instructions on how to use it. Yet it isn’t evident for everyone which program a .p12 file can be edited, converted or printed with. On this page, we try to provide assistance for handling .p12 files.

2 filename extension(s) found in our database.

.p12 - PKCS #12 Data File

The P12 data files are related to OpenSSL. P12 file is a PKCS #12 Data File. The PKCS #12 file, where PKCS stands for Public-Key Cryptography Standards. A P12 file contains a binary representation of a certificate, including both its public and private keys.

Application:

OpenSSL

Category:

Data files

Mime-type:

application/x-pkcs12

Magic:

- / -

Aliases:

pfx, pkcs12

PKCS #12 Data File related extensions:

.ca: OpenSSL Certificate Authority Data
.crt: Certificate File
.csr: Certificate Signing Request
.der: Certificate File
.kdb: Key Database File
.orq: OCSP Request Data

.par2 - Parity Archive V2

The PAR2 archive files are related to QuickPAR. PAR and PAR2 files are parity data that can be used to recover missing or damaged files in a set, such as a set of RAR files or images.

Application:

QuickPAR

Category:

Archive files

Mime-type:

application/x-par2

Magic:

- / -

Aliases:

p01, p02, p03, p04, p05, p06, p07, p08, p09, p10, p11, p12, par

Parity Archive V2 related extensions:

.par2: Parity Archive V2
.qp1: QuickPAR Cache Data

Naturally, other applications may also use the .p12 file extension. Even harmful programs can create .p12 files. Be especially cautious with .p12 files coming from an unknown source!

Can't open a .p12 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.p12

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 .p12 file extension is often given incorrectly!

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

p1, p2, p21, pl2, pw2

Is it possible that the filename extension is misspelled?

Similar file extensions in our database:

.p21: Express STEP Data Model
.pl2: 3D Home Architect Second Level Floor Plan
.p2: Pic2 Image
.pw2: Fanatec PWTS Steering Wheel Data
.p1: HI-TECH C Compiler Precompiled

Operating systems

DataTypes.net currently supports the following operating systems:

Windows XP/Vista, Windows 7/8, Windows 10, CentOS, Debian GNU/Linux, Ubuntu Linux, FreeBSD, Mac OS X, iOS, Android

If you find the information on this page useful, please feel free to link to this page.

https://datatypes.net/open-p12-files

If you have useful information about the .p12 file format, then write to us!