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PF File - What is a .pf file and how do I open it?
Learn about .PF files and view a list of programs that open them.
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Overview
What is a PF file? A PF file is a password-protected file compressed and encrypted by Stuffit Deluxe, a popular file compression and expansion utility. It is similar to a .SIT file, but requires a password to decrypt and decompress. PF files are often used for archiving confidential or personal data.
More Information You can open PF files with Stuffit Deluxe in Windows or macOS. However, the PF files will not open unless the correct password is entered. Also, it is important to extract the contents of a PF file on a safe device because the contents, which may be documents, images, videos, etc., are most likely sensitive.
Smith Micro StuffIt Deluxe 2011 Icon
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DeveloperMicrosoft
Popularity3.7 | 29 Votes
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.PF File Extension
2 file types use the .pf file extension.
Private File
| Developer | Smith Micro |
| Popularity |
4.0 | 78 Votes |
What is a PF file?
A PF file is a password-protected file compressed and encrypted by Stuffit Deluxe, a popular file compression and expansion utility. It is similar to a .SIT file, but requires a password to decrypt and decompress. PF files are often used for archiving confidential or personal data.
More Information
You can open PF files with Stuffit Deluxe in Windows or macOS. However, the PF files will not open unless the correct password is entered. Also, it is important to extract the contents of a PF file on a safe device because the contents, which may be documents, images, videos, etc., are most likely sensitive.
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Programs that open PF files
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Platform
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Windows
Smith Micro StuffIt Deluxe
—
Discontinued
Paid
Mac
Smith Micro StuffIt Deluxe Mac 16
—
Discontinued
Paid
Category: Compressed Files
Updated: February 8, 2018
Windows Prefetcher File
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity |
3.7 | 29 Votes |
A PF file may also be a log file used by Prefetcher, a Windows Memory Manager component that speeds up the boot process and application launches. It contains a record of data access events recorded during the boot process or an application launch. PF files allow Windows to more efficiently access and load resources when you start Windows or open a program.
More Information
Microsoft introduced the Prefetcher in Windows XP. The Prefetcher records what data is accessed when the system boots or an application launches. It then saves a record of these data access events in a PF file. When you start Windows or open an application for which a PF file exists, Windows uses the related PF file to more quickly load the data needed to complete that process.
Each PF file is named for the process or application with which it is used. For example, the PF file used as part of the system boot process is always named NTOSBOOT-B00DFAAD.PF ; the PF file used when launching Mozilla Firefox is named FIREFOX.EXE-25FC0A66.PF .
All PF files are stored in Windows' C:/Windows/Prefetch directory. This directory may also contain other Prefetch-related files.
How to open a PF file
PF files are not meant to be opened.
Programs that open PF files
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Microsoft Prefetcher
Category: Data Files
Updated: March 29, 2022