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File Extensions

.BAK Files

The .BAK file extension is used to indicate that the file is a "backup" produced by one of many different software applications. As a backup, a .BAK file is an exact replica of the original file which means it can be restored in case the original becomes corrupted or accidentally deleted. There are many software applications that can automatically produce .BAK files or incorporate the backup process into the autosave procedure of the application itself.

The contents of a .BAK file can be virtually anything because of the many applications that can be associated with its content. It is important to keep track of the backup files in order to delete old and obsolete ones since these files tend to take up large amounts of hard drive space.

Opening .BAK Files

It is a good practice to examine any type of file before deciding to open it or remove it from your system. It is recommended you run a virus scan of the individual .BAK file before trying to open it. One of the challenges if you have .BAK file and don't recall where it came from, or which software application produced it - is that it could pretty be an archive of anything. When it comes to .BAK files there is no single application that is directly associated with this type of file - as there is for MS Word (.docx) or Adobe Photoshop (.psd). This makes it extremely difficult to determine what the actual contents of the .BAK file are.

Since you may not know who or what sortware created .BAK file, you likely will not be able to open it unless you can determine which application produced the back up file. There are two options you can try - in some cases, if the .BAK file is a back up of a text-based file - they will work but in others they will not (i.e. an image file).

If you know which software created the file and are still unable to open it then you are likely facing a different set of problems. Most likely you do not have the correct software application (or version) installed to open the file, or there is an incorrect file association within the Windows Registry. Most file extension errors due to wrong association or a possible problem with the Windows Registry, can be easily resolved by installing the appropriate application for the file type or correct Windows Registry errors with the use of a good registry cleaner.

Solutions

First scan the file with your virus software, then launch NotePad or WordPad and open the .BAK file. NotePad and WordPad come pre-installed on most Windows-based PCs and laptops - you can file them under the "accessories" tab of your "start" button.

If the .BAK file contents are incomprehensible then you know it is likely not a text-based file and it will help you narrow down the application by virtue that it is not anything to do with text. The NotePad or WordPad viewer can reveal useful details with about the .BAK file contents. You may need some patience in scrolling down the file within the Notepad program but you may see information or a term that helps to identify the original application that created the .BAK file in the first place.

To avoid having an unknown .BAK file it is good practice to store, save or name you back ups in such a way that it is easy to identify the original application or the file contents. To keep track of backup files, you need to provide an appropriate name when you creates the backup. Another option would be to place specific types of .BAK files in a folder where they can be easily identified. Moreover, frequently creating backup copies of important files can ensure that all backup copies are current - deleting the old versions will minimize the confusion over which file is which.

Security Risks With .BAK Files

Be wary of opening .BAK, or any other archive file for that matter, sent by anonymous individuals as e-mail attachments or downloaded off the Internet. There have been cases where attachments disguised as .BAK files were actually viruses that were waiting to be activated when the file was launched. Opening unknown .BAK files can present the danger of virus and/or spyware infection. Before opening one of these file extensions ensure it comes from a source you trust, you have good anti-virus, anti-spyware, spam controls, privacy software, a registry cleaner and trusted data recovery tools activated and protecting your system.

Be sure to regularly scan attachments and all files in your computer system with an up to date anti-virus application or anti-spyware software, and ensure that it is really safe to open the .BAK file.

Backing Up and Restoring Files

It is almost impossible to revert a file that has been updated unless there is a backup copy that can be reloaded by the system. Under the Microsoft Windows Operating System environment, the easiest way to perform a backup is to open the Windows Explorer and locate the file you want to backup. The next step is to "right click" on the file and choose the "Copy" option from the context menu and then go to the location where you will keep the backup file. Next "paste" the copied file into the location you have chosen and rename the file either by changing the extension to .BAK or changing the entire file name to something more relevant.

Restoring the file entails almost the same procedure except doing it in reverse. However, there are applications that provide utility tools to restore backup files like in the case of databases where the following can be done:

  • select Restore Database from the tree-branch;

  • choose the type of database to use;

  • direct the application to the location of the backup file;

  • choose Restore in the “Select a Backup” option so as to Restore Section;

  • select the “Overwrite the Existing Database” option; and,

  • and click “OK” to initiate the restore process.

In creating and restoring backup copies of your files, use a good anti-virus program in order to initially scan files prior to initiating a backup. This is because infected files will carry the infection to the backup. In cases where the backup was done to clean the system, a re-infection will occur once the backup copies of the files are restored. A good security application and Windows registry cleaner/optimizer always comes handy for these instances.

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