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PB File - What is a .pb file and how do I open it?
Learn about .PB files and view a list of programs that open them.
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Overview
What is a PB file? A PB file is a source code file created by PureBasic, a programming language and development environment based on the BASIC language. It contains program code written in the PureBasic syntax , which may include variables, functions, and references to other source files. Developers write PB files to create applications for different operating systems supported by PureBasic.
More Information Software developers working in the PureBasic environment are most likely to encounter PB files. PureBasic is designed to produce fast, standalone executable files without requiring external runtime dependencies. Developers can compile PB files into an application for Windows, macOS, or Linux, depending on the developer’s target platform. The source code may also include instructions for working with graphics, files, databases, and other system resources.
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.PB File Extension
2 file types use the .pb file extension.
PureBasic Source File
| Developer | Fantaisie |
| Popularity |
3.8 | 39 Votes |
What is a PB file?
A PB file is a source code file created by PureBasic, a programming language and development environment based on the BASIC language. It contains program code written in the PureBasic syntax , which may include variables, functions, and references to other source files. Developers write PB files to create applications for different operating systems supported by PureBasic.
More Information
Software developers working in the PureBasic environment are most likely to encounter PB files. PureBasic is designed to produce fast, standalone executable files without requiring external runtime dependencies. Developers can compile PB files into an application for Windows, macOS, or Linux, depending on the developer’s target platform. The source code may also include instructions for working with graphics, files, databases, and other system resources.
How to open a PB file
You can open PB files with PureBasic IDE and compile the the code they store into a working program. Since PB files store plain text, you can also open them with a source code editor or text editor, such as Microsoft Visual Studio Code , Microsoft Notepad , or Apple TextEdit .
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Programs that open or reference PB files
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Fantaisie Software PureBasic
Free Trial
Microsoft Visual Studio Code
Free
Any text editor
Windows
Microsoft Notepad
Included with OS
Mac
Apple TextEdit
Included with OS
Linux
gedit
Free
Category: Developer Files
Updated: August 15, 2025
Chromium Preloaded MEI Data
| Developer | |
| Popularity |
2.0 | 1 Vote |
A PB file may also be a settings file used by Chromium-based web browsers, such as Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. It is always named preloaded_data.pb , and it contains a list of websites for which a browser is allowed to autoplay video and audio. Google sets the default list of websites that preloaded_data.pb contains.
More Information
PB file shown in Windows File Explorer
In version 62 of Chrome, Google introduced a feature known as the Media Engagement Index (MEI). This feature logs when and how many times you play video and audio on websites. After you choose to play video or audio on a website a certain number of times, Chrome automatically allows that website to autoplay video and audio.
When introducing MEI, Google created a default list of websites that could always autoplay videos and audio. This list is saved in the file preloaded_data.pb . After your browser determines a site should be allowed to autoplay video and audio, the browser adds that site to preloaded_data.pb . However, preloaded_data.pb is a binary file, so users cannot simply open the file to view or edit the website list it contains.
NOTE: In Windows, a browser's PB file is stored in its MEIPreload directory.
Common PB Filenames
Preloaded_data.pb - The default name of Chromium-based browsers' PB file.
How to open a PB file
You can use the Python script unpack_dafsa.py to convert a preloaded_data.pb file's contents to plain text. This will allow you to view the list of websites your preloaded_data.pb file contains.
Programs that open or reference PB files
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Google Chrome
Free
Microsoft Edge
Free
Chromium
Free
Unpack_dafsa.py
Free
Category: Settings Files
Updated: March 20, 2023