.PBF File Extension
Paragon Backup File
| Developer | Paragon Software Group |
| Popularity |
3.1 | 21 Votes |
What is a PBF file?
A PBF file is a backup archive created by several Paragon Software backup and recovery applications, including Paragon Backup & Recovery. It stores a snapshot of data from a computer, including individual files, folders, partitions, or the entire system. PBF files are saved in a proprietary format that preserves file structure and system information required for recovery.
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IT professionals, system administrators, and advanced home users who manage backups or move data between computers or Windows installations with Paragon applications are most likely to use PBF files. Users often encounter PBF archives when restoring a full system after a failure or recovering selected files without restoring the entire backup.
How to open a PBF file
You can open PBF files with Paragon's backup and recovery software, such as Paragon Backup & Recovery Suite and Paragon System Backup. These applications can browse the PBF archive and guide you through restoring files, partitions, or complete systems. Because the format is proprietary, you cannot open PBF files with standard file compression tools or file viewers.
Programs that open or reference PBF files
PowerBackup Data File
| Developer | CyberLink |
| Popularity |
2.9 | 11 Votes |
A PBF file may also be a backup data file created by CyberLink PowerBackup, a discontinued backup and recovery application for Windows systems. It contains a collection of files and folders captured when the user created the backup. PBF files act as containers rather than single files that store multiple items in an organized structure for recovery.
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PowerBackup uses PBF files to support different backup strategies, including full, differential, and incremental backups. This format allows users to protect their data efficiently by saving only changed files when appropriate.
NOTE: PowerBackup can automate the backup process through its job scheduler, which uses separate .PBJ job files to define backup tasks.
How to open a PBF file
You can open PBF files with CyberLink PowerBackup in Windows. The application can browse the contents of the backup and restore selected files or entire backup sets to their original or new locations. However, the app is discontinued.
Programs that open PBF files
Pinnacle Sample Bank
| Developer | Turtle Beach |
| Popularity |
1.8 | 6 Votes |
A PBF file may also be a sample bank file used by Turtle Beach Pinnacle audio software and related music tools. It stores information about a collection of audio samples that users load into compatible software or hardware synthesizers. PBF files do not contain audio data, but instead reference external .WAV files that must be stored in the same folder or a defined directory.
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Musicians, sound designers, and hobbyists working with Turtle Beach audio hardware and software during the 1990s and early 2000s were most likely to use PBF files. The PBF file type acts as a catalog that defines how individual samples are grouped and mapped to instruments or keys. It includes metadata, such as sample names, playback settings, and mapping information that tells the software how to use each sample.
How to open a PBF file
You can open PBF files with FMJ-Software Awave Studio in Windows. Because it is a configuration-style file, it is not meant to be played directly in media players. In some cases, you can view the file with a text or hex editor, but the contents are primarily useful when loaded into the original audio software that understands the sample bank structure.