Bak file
In computing, ".bak" is a filename extension commonly used to signify a backup copy of a file.
When a program is about to overwrite an existing file (for example, when the user saves the document they are working on), the program may first make a copy of the existing file, with .bak appended to the filename. This common .bak naming scheme makes it possible to retrieve the original contents of the file. In a similar manner, a user may also manually make a copy of the file before the change and append .bak to the filename.
Other naming schemes are also in widespread use: file~, file.orig, and file.old.
Database Applications like FoxPro and SQL Server use .bak files to back up their databases and other applications, like , create .bak files in their autosave process.[1] They do not get automatically deleted, so they need to be manually deleted after the process using it is stopped.
Example applications using .bak files[]
This is a partial list of applications that generate .bak files (in some cases as an optional configuration setting):
- Apophysis7X
- Alteryx
- Aspell
- Audacity
- AutoCAD
- Blue Griffon
- Captivate
- Cubase
- DraftSight
- DrRacket
- Family Tree Maker
- Finale Notepad
- FoxPro
- FormZ
- Google Chrome
- Grand Theft Auto V
- HxD
- HyperCam
- JavaFX Scene Builder
- Lazarus
- LMMS
- MATLAB
- Minitab
- Mupen64
- Notepad++
- Opera
- Outlook Express
- Password Safe (.ibak)
- Photoshop
- Free Pascal
- Rhinoceros 3D
- Sony Vegas
- SQL Server
- Steinberg Cubase
- Starbound
- TeamViewer Manager
- Terraria
- Texmaker
- Turing
- Turbo C++
- UltraEdit
- VEE
- Windows (BOOTSECT.BAK)
- WinMerge
- Word
- Zmodeler
- OpenMPT
External links[]
References[]
- ^ "What Is a BAK File?". www.wisegeek.com. M. Haskins. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
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