File extension PF
| File type | Windows Prefetch Format |
| Developer | Microsoft |
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What is a PF file?
PF is a system file extension associated with Windows files. PF format was introduced along with Windows XP and has since then been regularly updated and refined. PF files are used for storing prefetch data as a part of mechanism that speeds up file access.
PF files are saved in a separate Windows folder named Prefetch. Users have no need to use or modify PF prefetch files as they are only useful for system-related Windows processes.
Program(s) that can open the .PF file
How to open PF files
If you cannot open the PF file on your computer - there may be several reasons. The first and most important reason (the most common) is the lack of a suitable software that supports PF among those that are installed on your device.
A very simple way to solve this problem is to find and download the appropriate application. The first part of the task has already been done – the software supporting the PF file can be found in the table. Now just download and install the appropriate application.
Possible problems with the PF format files
The inability to open and operate the PF file does not necessarily mean that you do not have an appropriate software installed on your computer. There may be other problems that also block our ability to operate the Windows Prefetch Format file. Below is a list of possible problems.
- Corruption of a PF file which is being opened
- Incorrect links to the PF file in registry entries.
- Accidental deletion of the description of the PF from the Windows registry
- Incomplete installation of an application that supports the PF format
- The PF file which is being opened is infected with an undesirable malware.
- The computer does not have enough hardware resources to cope with the opening of the PF file.
- Drivers of equipment used by the computer to open a PF file are out of date.
If you are sure that all of these reasons do not exist in your case (or have already been eliminated), the PF file should operate with your programs without any problem. If the problem with the PF file has not been solved, it may be due to the fact that in this case there is also another rare problem with the PF file. In this case, the only you can do is to ask for assistance of a professional staff.
Updated 03/17/2022
Similar extensions
| .adm | Administrator Policy Template Format |
| .adml | Microsoft Administrative Language-specific XML Template Format |
| .admx | Microsoft Administrative XML Template Format |
| .aml | Microsoft Assistance Markup Language |
| .ani | Animated Cursor |
| .ann | Microsoft Windows Help Annotation Format |
| .aos | Archos Signed Encrypted Data Format |
| .asec | Google Android Encrypted Application Package Format |
How to associate the file with an installed software?
If you want to associate a file with a new program (e.g. my-file.PF) you have two ways to do it. The first and the easiest one is to right-click on the selected PF file. From the drop-down menu select "Choose default program", then click "Browse" and find the desired program. The whole operation must be confirmed by clicking OK. The second and more difficult to do is associate the PF file extension to the corresponding software in the Windows Registry.
Is there one way to open unknown files?
Many files contain only simple text data. It is possible that while opening unknown files (e.g. PF) with a simple text editor like Windows Notepad will allow us to see some of the data encoded in the file. This method allows you to preview the contents of many files, but probably not in such a structure as a program dedicated to support them.