.BAK File Extension

BAK files exist as 11 different types. Please find information about each of them below.

Type 1: Chromium Bookmarks Backup

Chromium browsers like Google Chrome make Bookmarks.bak files. These are bookmark snapshots. The files are in your Chromium profile folder. On Windows, check C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Chromium\U...

General Information

Title BAK File Extension
Extension .bak
Full Form Backup File
File Type Backup File
Developer Google
MIME Type application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function Store bookmarks backup
Additional Functions Restore data
Features JSON formatted, Backup copy

File Characteristics

Quality High integrity
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable Yes, with text editor

Use Cases

Data Recovery Yes
Data Transfer Yes
Profile Restore Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Contains sensitive data
Best Practices Regular backups, Encrypt file

Historical/Version Information

Associated with Chrome updates
File Format Changes As per browser version

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .json, .htm, .html

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Google Chrome Free Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS
Chromium Free Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS
Firefox (with import) Free Windows, Mac, Linux

Type 2: Backup File

In computing, ".bak" is a filename extension used to signify a backup copy of a file. The program may first make a copy of the existing file, with .bak appended to the filename, before it overwrites a...

General Information

Title BAK File Extension
Extension .bak
Full Form Backup File
File Type Backup File
Developer Various
MIME Type application/octet-stream, application/backup

File Function

Primary Function Store backup
Additional Functions Data recovery, Data preservation
Features Redundancy, Portability

File Characteristics

Quality Varies
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable Indirectly

Use Cases

Data Backup Yes
System Restoration Yes
Version Control Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Data leak
Best Practices Encryption, Access control

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release Varies
Latest Version Varies

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .tmp, .old, .orig

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
SQL Server Management Studio Free Windows
Various Applications Varies Varies

Type 3: Act! Database Backup

A .bak file is usually a backup file. It is used by software to store backups of data. From a database view, Microsoft SQL Server uses .bak files for storing database contents. The files store all dat...

General Information

Title .BAK File Extension
Extension .bak
Full Form Backup File
File Type Database Backup
Developer Swiftpage
MIME Type application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function Data backup
Additional Functions Disaster recovery
Features Data integrity, Restore point

File Characteristics

Quality Exact copy
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable Not directly

Use Cases

Data Protection Yes
System Migration Yes
Recovery Testing Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Data exposure
Best Practices Encryption, Access control

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release 1987
Associated Software Act! version history

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .alf, .adf, .pad

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Act! CRM Commercial Windows
SQL Server Commercial Windows, Linux, Docker

Type 4: Finale 2012 Score Backup

A BAK file contains a copy of a musical score made in Finale, a music notation program. Finale saves scores as .MUS files. By default, Finale makes a BAK file when saving a .MUS file. BAK files use th...

General Information

Title BAK File Extension (Finale)
Extension .bak
Full Form Backup File
File Type Backup File
Developer MakeMusic
MIME Type application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function Store backup
Additional Functions Data recovery
Features Auto-generated, Identical copy

File Characteristics

Quality High fidelity
Supports Layers Yes
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable Via Finale

Use Cases

Score Editing Yes
Data Recovery Yes
File Versioning Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Low risk
Best Practices Regular backups, Secure storage

Historical/Version Information

Associated with Finale 2012
File Format Evolution Varies by Finale version

Associated Types

Primary File .musx (Finale)
Previous Versions .mus (Finale)

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Finale 2012 Paid Windows, Mac

Type 5: MobileTrans Backup

To create and manage .bak files, users rely on MobileTrans’s “Backup & Restore”. It initiates backup, storing data safely for future transfers between devices. Key Features. To use a .bak file...

General Information

Title BAK File Extension
Extension .bak
Full Form MobileTrans Backup File
File Type Backup File
Developer Wondershare
MIME Type application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function Store backups
Additional Functions Data transfer
Features Encrypted, Compressed

File Characteristics

Quality High fidelity
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable No

Use Cases

Data Backup Yes
Data Restore Yes
Device Migration Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Data breach
Best Practices Password protection, Secure storage

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release Varies
Latest Version Depends on software

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .backup, .old, .orig

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Wondershare MobileTrans Paid Windows, Mac

Type 6: VEGAS Video Project Backup

A .bak file refers to a backup file created by VEGAS Pro video editing software. VEGAS Pro automatically generates these .bak files as you work to recover your work if the project file corrupts. The ....

General Information

Title BAK File Extension
Extension .bak
Full Form VEGAS Video Project Backup File
File Type Backup File
Developer MAGIX Software GmbH
MIME Type application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function Store backup
Additional Functions Data recovery
Features Project preservation, Error recovery

File Characteristics

Quality High fidelity
Supports Layers Yes
Supports Transparency Depends on project
Editable Via VEGAS Pro

Use Cases

Video Editing Yes
Project Recovery Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Low risk
Best Practices Regular backups, Safe storage

Historical/Version Information

Associated with Sony Vegas, MAGIX VEGAS
File Format Evolution Adapted to software versions

Associated Types

Primary Type .veg
Related Extensions .vf, .sfl

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
VEGAS Pro Paid Windows

Type 7: Microsoft SQL Server Database Backup

They are generated using SQL Server's backup functionality. Data Recovery: .bak files provide a means to recover a database in case of data loss or corruption. By restoring a database from a .bak file...

General Information

Title BAK File Extension
Extension .bak
Full Form Backup File
File Type Database Backup File
Developer Microsoft
MIME Type application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function Store database backup
Additional Functions Data recovery, Migration
Features Binary format, Portable

File Characteristics

Quality High reliability
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable Indirectly

Use Cases

Data Backup Yes
Disaster Recovery Yes
Database Migration Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Unauthorized access
Best Practices Encryption, Access controls

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release SQL Server 7.0 (1998)
Latest Version SQL Server 2022 (as of 2023)

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .mdf, .ldf, .ndf

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Microsoft SQL Server Commercial Windows, Linux
SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) Free Windows

Type 8: Terraria World or Player Backup

Backing up your Terraria worlds and characters is essential. It prevents loss of progress or characters. The game copies world files when you back up. It adds a .wld.bak extension. The “.wld” file...

General Information

Title BAK File Extension
Extension .bak
Full Form Backup File
File Type Game Backup File
Developer Re-Logic
MIME Type application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function Store backup
Additional Functions Data recovery
Features World/player save, Redundancy

File Characteristics

Quality High fidelity
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable With tools

Use Cases

Gameplay Restoration Yes
Data Migration Yes
Editing Worlds With TEdit

Security and Practices

Security Risks Low
Best Practices Regular backups, Safe storage

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release May 2011
Latest Version Terraria 1.4.3

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .wld, .plr

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Terraria Paid Windows, Mac, Linux, Console, Mobile
TEdit Free Windows
Terraria Server Free Windows, Mac, Linux

Type 9: AutoCAD Drawing Backup

General Information

Title BAK File Extension
Extension .bak
Full Form Backup File
File Type CAD File Backup
Developer Autodesk
MIME Type application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function Store backup
Additional Functions Prevent data loss
Features Automatic creation, Recovery aid

File Characteristics

Quality Same as DWG
Supports Layers Yes
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable After rename

Use Cases

Design Drafting Yes
Engineering Drawings Yes
3D Modeling Possible

Security and Practices

Security Risks Low
Best Practices Regular backup, File management

Historical/Version Information

Associated With DWG files
AutoCAD Release Varies by version

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .dwg, .dxf, .dwf

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
AutoCAD Subscription Windows, Mac
AutoCAD LT Subscription Windows, Mac
DraftSight Free, Paid versions Windows, Mac, Linux

Type 10: Holo Launcher Backup

You can open a Holo Launcher BAK file in Holo Launcher for Froyo (Android). Doing so will apply the settings and shortcuts the BAK file contains. A BAK file may also be a backup file created by Taskba...

General Information

Title .BAK File Extension
Extension .bak
Full Form Backup File
File Type Backup File
Developer Mobint Software
MIME Type application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function Store backups
Additional Functions Restore settings, Transfer settings

File Characteristics

Quality High integrity
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable No

Use Cases

Device Migration Yes
Data Recovery Yes
Settings Backup Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Data leak if mishandled
Best Practices Regular backups, Secure storage

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release Corresponds to app
Latest Version Varies with app update

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .cfg backup, .prefs

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Holo Launcher Free Android

Type 11: Taskbar Settings Backup

General Information

Title BAK File Extension
Extension .bak
Full Form Backup File
File Type Backup File
Developer Various
MIME Type application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function Store backup
Additional Functions Data recovery
Features Data preservation

File Characteristics

Quality Exact copy
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable Indirectly

Use Cases

System Restore Yes
Data Recovery Yes
Version Rollback Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Data leakage
Best Practices Encryption, Secure storage

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release Varies
Latest Version N/A

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .tmp, .old, .orig

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Windows OS Inherent feature Windows
Backup Software Free, Paid Varies
File Managers Free, Paid Varies