GRP files exist as 4 different types. Please find information about each of them below.
Type 1: StarCraft Graphics Group File
The GRP files contain graphical images used in StarCraft. They can be extracted from the .MPQ file. The images are for units, weapons, spells, wireframes, and menus. Each object has a few to several h...
General Information
| Title | GRP File Extension |
| Extension | .grp |
| Full Form | StarCraft Graphics Group File |
| File Type | Game Graphics File |
| Developer | Blizzard Entertainment |
| MIME Type | application/octet-stream |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store graphics |
| Additional Functions | Animation frames |
| Features | Indexed color, Frame-based |
File Characteristics
| Quality | Fixed palette |
| Supports Layers | No |
| Supports Transparency | Yes |
| Editable | With tools |
Use Cases
| Game Modding | Yes |
| Custom Campaigns | Yes |
| Sprite Editing | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Low risk |
| Best Practices | Backup, Use trusted tools |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | 1998 |
| Latest Version | StarCraft Remastered (2017) |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .lo?, .scm, .chk, .mpq |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 StarCraft |
Commercial | Windows, Mac |
| StarEdit |
Free with StarCraft | Windows, Mac |
| GRP Editor |
Free | Windows |
Type 2: SmarterMail Group File
General Information
| Title | .GRP File Extension |
| Extension | .grp |
| Full Form | SmarterMail Group File |
| File Type | Configuration File |
| Developer | SmarterTools Inc. |
| MIME Type | application/octet-stream |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store settings |
| Additional Functions | Define user groups |
| Features | Text-based, Configurable |
File Characteristics
| Quality | Not applicable |
| Supports Layers | No |
| Supports Transparency | No |
| Editable | Yes, with text editor |
Use Cases
| Email Management | Yes |
| User Communication | Yes |
| Collaboration | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Unauthorized changes |
| Best Practices | Access control, Regular backups |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | Not specified |
| Latest Version | Correlates with SmarterMail version |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .xml, .json, .config |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| SmarterMail |
Paid, Trial available | Windows |
Type 3: Windows Program Manager Group
The GRP file is a Windows Program Manager Group File. This file format stores shortcuts to applications. Program Manager was the Windows operating system shell. It provided a graphical user interface ...
General Information
| Title | GRP File Extension |
| Extension | .grp |
| Full Form | Windows Program Manager Group |
| File Type | System File |
| Developer | Microsoft Corporation |
| MIME Type | application/octet-stream |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store program groups |
| Additional Functions | Organize applications |
| Features | Legacy format, Group icons |
File Characteristics
| Quality | Binary data |
| Supports Layers | N/A |
| Supports Transparency | N/A |
| Editable | With specific tools |
Use Cases
| Legacy Systems | Yes |
| Application Management | Historical |
| User Interface | Historical |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Low, Outdated |
| Best Practices | Backup, Migration to newer formats |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | Early 1990s |
| Latest Version | N/A |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .lnk, .pif |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 Windows 3.x |
Discontinued | Windows 3.x |
| Program Manager |
Built-in | Windows 3.x |
| File Explorer |
Built-in | Windows 3.x, Limited support in later versions |
Type 4: Build Engine Group File
The GRP file contains game assets for games made with the Build Engine by Ken Silverman. These assets include images, sounds, music, and animations. GRP files lack compression, so they have large size...
General Information
| Title | GRP File Extension |
| Extension | .grp |
| Full Form | Build Engine Group File |
| File Type | Game Resource Archive |
| Developer | Ken Silverman |
| MIME Type | application/octet-stream |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store game data |
| Additional Functions | Archive game resources |
| Features | Multiple files, Compression |
File Characteristics
| Quality | Depends on content |
| Supports Layers | No |
| Supports Transparency | No |
| Editable | Yes, with tools |
Use Cases
| Game Modding | Yes |
| Resource Storage | Yes |
| Custom Levels | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Altered files |
| Best Practices | Verify sources, Use antivirus |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | 1993 |
| Associated Engines | Build Engine |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .map, .art, .con |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| Duke Nukem 3D |
Paid | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Build Engine Games |
Varies | Varies |
| EDuke32 |
Free | Windows, Mac, Linux |