209 votes
VPK File - What is a .vpk file and how do I open it?
Learn about .VPK files and view a list of programs that open them.
Languages
Overview
What is a VPK file? A VPK file is a Valve Pak file used by some games developed with the Source Engine, which include Half-Life, Left 4 Dead, DOTA 2, and Portal 2. It may be a master directory file for a collection of VPK files or may be one of the raw VPK data files. VPK files are used for storing maps, models, materials, audio, choreography scenes, and other original game content, but can can be used for making game mods as well.
More Information VPK files are saved as part of a VPK package. Each VPK package has a master VPK directory file named archive_dir.vpk (where "archive" is the name of the VPK package) and VPK archive files named archive_0.vpk , archive_1.vpk , etc. You can create VPK files using the vpk.exe command line tool located in the game directory. To ensure compatibility, you should use the vpk.exe tool located in the directory of the game you are creating the VPK file for. In Windows, the vpk.exe tool will most likely be located in the following directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\SteamApps\common\[game title]\bin NOTE: The VPK format is the successor to the .GCF format.
GridMount 1.0.2 Icon
Breadcrumbs
DeveloperN/A
Popularity3.6 | 17 Votes
Previous / Next
In-Depth
.VPK File Extension
2 file types use the .vpk file extension.
Valve Pak
| Developer | Valve |
| Popularity |
4.4 | 209 Votes |
What is a VPK file?
A VPK file is a Valve Pak file used by some games developed with the Source Engine, which include Half-Life, Left 4 Dead, DOTA 2, and Portal 2. It may be a master directory file for a collection of VPK files or may be one of the raw VPK data files. VPK files are used for storing maps, models, materials, audio, choreography scenes, and other original game content, but can can be used for making game mods as well.
More Information
VPK files are saved as part of a VPK package. Each VPK package has a master VPK directory file named archive_dir.vpk (where "archive" is the name of the VPK package) and VPK archive files named archive_0.vpk , archive_1.vpk , etc.
You can create VPK files using the vpk.exe command line tool located in the game directory. To ensure compatibility, you should use the vpk.exe tool located in the directory of the game you are creating the VPK file for. In Windows, the vpk.exe tool will most likely be located in the following directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\SteamApps\common\[game title]\bin
NOTE: The VPK format is the successor to the .GCF format.
Open over 400 file formats with File Viewer Plus . Free Download
Programs that open VPK files
Sort
Pricing
Program Name
Platform
Reset
X
Windows
GCFScape
Free
Gibbed's VPK Extractor
Free
Valve Left 4 Dead
Paid
Valve Portal 2
Paid
Valve Half-Life
Paid
Valve Half-Life 2
Paid
Valve Team Fortress 2
Free
Mac
Valve Left 4 Dead
Paid
Valve Portal 2
Paid
Valve Half-Life 2
Paid
Category: Game Files
Updated: December 20, 2018
PlayStation Vita Application Package
| Developer | N/A |
| Popularity |
3.6 | 17 Votes |
A VPK file may also be an application package used to install third-party apps on a Sony PlayStation Vita gaming console. It contains multiple folders and files that make up a game, which may include .BIN , .XML , and .PNG files, that are compressed with Zip compression.
More Information
VPK files can be installed only on PlayStation Vita consoles that have been "jailbroken," or "hacked," with Henkaku. This Homebrew enabler allows users to better customize the content that can be used or played on the console. You can install apps packaged in a VPK file using VitaShell, which is a file manager that can be installed on the PlayStation Vita console.
How to open a VPK file
Since VPK files are compressed using Zip-compression , you can extract the contents of the files using a Zip decompression utility, such as WinZip or 7-Zip. You may want to rename the .vpk file extension to .zip first and then open it with the decompression utility.
Programs that open or reference VPK files
Sort
Pricing
Program Name
Platform
Reset
X
Windows
Corel WinZip
Free Trial
RARLAB WinRAR
Free Trial
Smith Micro StuffIt Deluxe
—
Discontinued
Paid
7-Zip
Free
Mac
Corel WinZip Mac
Free Trial
Apple Archive Utility
Included with OS
Incredible Bee Archiver
Paid
The Unarchiver
Free
B1 Free Archiver
Free
Linux
funzip
Free
p7zip
Free
B1 Free Archiver
Free
File Roller
Free
PeaZip
Free
Android
ZDevs ZArchiver
Free
Category: Compressed Files
Updated: November 17, 2021