.PRF File Extension
Outlook Profile File
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity |
3.6 | 43 Votes |
What is a PRF file?
A PRF file is a profile settings file used by Microsoft Outlook to configure a user's email environment. It contains information, such as mail account settings, signatures, references to mail folders, and other personal or system preferences. When Outlook imports a PRF file, it automatically applies the settings to the user's profile, allowing quick setup or reconfiguration of Outlook without requiring manual input.
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IT administrators often use PRF files to simplify the deployment of Outlook across multiple computers. Administrators may use tools from the Microsoft Office Resource Kit to create and customize PRF files that include specific server information, mailbox names, and account details. They can then distribute and install them to apply consistent Outlook configurations throughout an organization.
How to open a PRF file
You can open PRF files with Microsoft Outlook by double-clicking them. If the file isn't associated with Outlook, you can manually import the PRF profile by using the command line. To do this, find the outlook.exe file, then use the /importprf switch followed by the path to your PRF file, for example, outlook.exe /importprf C:\path\to\your.prf.
Programs that open or reference PRF files
Windows System File
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity |
3.5 | 11 Votes |
A PRF file may also be a settings file used by Microsoft Windows or other Microsoft programs to store user or system preferences. It contains configuration data that defines how software behaves or how Windows customizes its environment for a specific user. Since various programs use PRF files, the contents of the files vary depending on the program that created it.
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In some cases, Windows uses PRF files to save personalization details or program configuration settings, such as display preferences, user interface options, or file path references. In other cases, Microsoft applications may use PRF files to store settings specific to their functionality, thereby maintaining consistent behavior across sessions.
How to open a PRF file
PRF files are not meant to be opened. Attempting to open, edit, or move a PRF file may cause the program that uses that PRF file to function incorrectly.
Programs that open or reference PRF files
Director Preferences File
| Developer | Adobe Systems |
| Popularity |
3.3 | 15 Votes |
A PRF file may also be a preferences file used by Adobe Director (formerly Macromedia Director) to store program configuration settings. It defines how the software behaves and records user preferences between sessions, saving details, such as workspace layout, tool options, and recently used files.
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In addition to general program settings, PRF files may also store configuration data for Director Xtras, which are plug-ins that extend the software's functionality. For example, Media Lab's PhotoCaster Xtra may include its own settings within the Director PRF file.
NOTE: Adobe no longer develops Director.
Common PRF Filenames
Director.prf - The main preferences file for Director, and is created or updated automatically when users modify preferences in the application.
How to open a PRF file
PRF files are not meant to be opened. Instead, Adobe Director automatically manages the files. If you need to reset preferences, you can delete or rename the PRF file, prompting Director to recreate it the next time the program starts.
Programs that open or reference PRF files
PICS Rules File
| Developer | W3C |
| Popularity |
3.0 | 10 Votes |
A PRF file may also be a web profile saved in the Platform for Internet Content Selection (PICS) standard, which was designed to help implement Internet safety policies. It contains filtering rules that allow or block access to specific websites, which parents, teachers, or organizations can apply to restrict access to certain content, or shared with others to maintain consistent filtering settings. PRF files also store metadata about websites, including categories, ratings, or content labels, which help browsers and servers determine whether a user should be allowed to access a page.
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The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) proposed the PICS format in the mid-1990s, which several web browsers and servers, including Microsoft Internet Explorer and Microsoft IIS, supported. Although it was a useful tool for controlling web access, newer standards, such as the Protocol for Web Description Resources (POWDER), have largely replaced PICS.
How to open a PRF file
Web browsers and servers no longer support PRF files. However, you can open PRF files with text editors, such as Microsoft Notepad or Apple TextEdit, since the files contain plain text.
Programs that open or reference PRF files
QuarkXPress Preferences File
| Developer | Quark Software |
| Popularity |
2.8 | 11 Votes |
A PRF file may also be a preferences file created by QuarkXPress, a desktop publishing application used for designing print and digital media. It stores configuration data that defines how the application behaves, including workspace layouts, import and export options, and tool settings. PRF files allow users to maintain a consistent working environment across projects or installations.
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QuarkXPress automatically saves PRF files to store user-defined preferences, including custom palettes, color management settings, and keyboard shortcuts. Designers and publishers may use PRF files to back up their personal preferences or share them with colleagues, ensuring that multiple users can work with the same layout and maintain consistency.
How to open a PRF file
You can open PRF files with QuarkXPress. To open a PRF file, place it in the program's preferences folder. When QuarkXPress starts, it reads the file to apply the saved settings.
Programs that open PRF files
FileNet eForms Form Preferences File
| Developer | IBM |
| Popularity |
3.0 | 8 Votes |
A PRF file may also be a preferences file created by IBM FileNet eForms, an electronic form design and data collection program developed by IBM. It contains user-specific settings for a particular form, such as layout preferences, display options, or field configurations. FileNet eForms stores PRF files in the user's Template Preferences folder, allowing eForms to remember how that individual interacts with or customizes the form.
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System administrators, form designers, and end users in businesses and organizations use FileNet eForms to create, distribute, and manage digital forms for tasks like data entry, workflow automation, and document processing. When a user opens or edits a form, the associated PRF file ensures the form appears and behaves according to that user's saved preferences, which helps maintain a consistent and personalized experience across sessions.
NOTE: IBM no longer develops FileNet eForms.
How to open a PRF file
PRF files are not meant to be opened. Instead, FileNet eForms references the files to load the settings they contain. If you modify form preferences within the eForms application, the program updates the corresponding PRF file.
Programs that open or reference PRF files
ClarisWorks Preference File
| Developer | Apple |
| Popularity |
2.7 | 9 Votes |
A PRF file may also be a preferences file used by ClarisWorks, a productivity suite developed by Claris. It stores user-specific settings that define how the program looks and behaves, such as toolbar positions, default document options, and whether the Welcome screen appears when the program starts. The settings stored in PRF files help personalize the software experience and are loaded each time ClarisWorks launches.
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ClarisWorks saves its preferences in a file named CLWORKS.PRF, which must be stored in the program's CLARIS directory for the application to recognize it. The software references the file to maintain consistent settings across sessions, so users don't need to reconfigure their workspace or options each time manually. If the PRF file becomes corrupted or users want to restore the program’s default configuration, they can safely delete the file, and ClarisWorks will automatically create a new one with default settings.
NOTE: ClarisWorks was succeeded by AppleWorks, which carried over similar functionality before being discontinued.
Common PRF Filenames
CLWORKS.PRF - The name of the PRF file where ClarisWorks stores its preferences.
How to open a PRF file
PRF files are not meant to be opened. Instead, ClarisWorks references PRF files.
Programs that open or reference PRF files
Plot Station Plot Request Form
| Developer | eQuorum |
| Popularity |
2.6 | 10 Votes |
A PRF file may also be a plot request form used by eQuorum Plot Station, a software system that manages and automates printing and plotting jobs for engineering and design documents. It contains information about what to print, how to print it, and where to send the output in a plain ASCII text format. PRF files also include details, such as the drawing name, plot size, printer or plotter settings, and user information required to process the job.
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Typically, a Plot Station Client creates a PRF file when a user submits a plot job, and the Plot Station Server then processes that file to generate the final plotted output. This client-server architecture helps organizations efficiently manage multiple print requests, especially in environments that handle large technical drawings or CAD documents.
How to open a PRF file
You can open PRF files with eQuorum Plot Station. Since the files store plain text, you can also open and view the files' contents with a text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad or Apple TextEdit.
Programs that open PRF files
Korg Keyboard Performance
| Developer | Korg |
| Popularity |
3.5 | 2 Votes |
A PRF file contains a performance for a Korg keyboard, such as the PA80 or 600 models. It stores the settings that comprise a performance playable on a keyboard. Korg users primarily play them on a keyboard but may view them with KORG PA Manager on their computer.
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How to open a PRF file
You can open PRF files with KORG PA Manager in Windows. To open a PRF file with KORG PA Manager, click "File Viewer" and then select SET Browser.