Open files with BAK extension quick and easy. 4 steps
It can be very frustrating when you have a BAK file and you cannot open it. But do not worry, in most cases solution to your problem is very simple. Follow the instruction in steps 1-4 listed below and you should be able to solve your problem and open the BAK file with ease.
BAK File Extension
- File type Backup Format
- File developer N/A
- File category Backup Files
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File popularity rating
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What is a(n) BAK file?
The backup file with the extension .BAK is characteristic for Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome web browsers. Stores backup of bookmarks saved in a given browser. It is created automatically in case of damage to the correct bookmark file.
How to open BAK file?
BAK file icon should be displayed in a manner characteristic to the program which supports such file type. If BAK file icon is of the form of generic blank page icon or similar it means that given format is not associated with any program installed on the system. Below are listed some of the most popular causes of such situation
Check the BAK file for errors
- No program that supports BAK files is installed on the system
- No program that supports BAK files is associated with this extension (system registry has no entries related to programs that should be used to open BAK files)
- The file is of unknown or unverified origin and is most probably infected. In such case user must exercise extreme caution in order not to allow the virus propagate to other files in the system (follow the instructions displayed in the dialog box in your antivirus software.
- BAK file may be incomplete, which will prevent the system from opening it (this could be the case with file downloaded from the internet or copied from other sources)
- The file is corrupted
How to solve encountered problems?
In order to solve the following problems, follow the instructions:
Step 1. Select, download and install relevant software. The list of programs supporting files with BAK extension can be found below:
Programs that can open BAK files
Step 2. Associate software supporting BAK with this file format
- Right-click on the BAK file
- Select "Open with" option
- Choose appropriate program from the list and select the location where the program is installed
- Confirm your selection by clicking on the "OK" button
Step 3. Scan the BAK file using an antivirus software
Step 4. Verify whether the file has been properly downloaded from the internet or copied from an external storage medium. If not, then re-download or copy the file again.
In 95% of cases following these steps should solve problems with BAK files. Sometimes, although rarely, the cause of encountered problems may be different.
Last resort – an IT expert
Should all the above-mentioned solutions fail to resolve problems with BAK file extensions, there is one last thing you can do – contact an IT expert. You can also try to contact one of the developers of software that supports BAK files.
