5VW File

What are 5VW files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a 5VW file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your 5VW files.

What is a 5VW file?

A .5VW file is a 5View Capture file.

5View Capture files are packet-capture data files produced by the 5Views software from InfoVista. These files record individual network packets as traffic flows through a device; they are used for detailed network traffic analysis, diagnostics and testing by capturing and storing every packet seen on the network during a capture session.

These files are created when the 5Views tool performs a live network capture, writing out detailed data for each packet including timestamps, source and destination addresses, protocol, payload, and other metadata. Analysts then open them in packet-analysis software to inspect protocol traces, measure latency, verify network behavior or troubleshoot issues.

Each 5View Capture file begins with a fixed signature: the first four bytes are 0xAAAAAAAA at offset 0, identifying the file as a 5VW format file.

How to open 5VW files

Important: Different programs may use files with the 5VW file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your 5VW file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested two different 5VW openers which you will find listed below.

Last updated: August 16, 2026

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of 5VW files. Remember, different programs may use 5VW files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about 5VW file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.