CL5 File

What are CL5 files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a CL5 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 CL5 files.

What is a CL5 file?

A .CL5 file is an Easy CD Creator 5 Layout file.

Easy CD Creator Layout version 5 project files store plans for burning data-or-audio compact discs using Roxio's Easy CD Creator (formerly by Adaptec). They are saved disc-project blueprints rather than full CD images, recording which files, folders and settings will go onto the disc when burned. They are used by the software to let a user assemble the layout, order and labels, then later produce (burn) the actual disc.

These project files are produced by Easy CD Creator 5. They do not contain the contents (songs, data files, etc.) themselves, only references (paths, metadata, layout, track order, disc settings). During workflow one opens or saves a Layout file to store the current project, then uses the software's burn-disc operation to build the actual disc from the referenced source files and those settings.

The format is proprietary and binary. It differs from earlier versions (CL2, CL3, CL4) which used Microsoft's OLE2 (Compound File) container; version 5's layout format is altered from those earlier formats.

A few internal identifiers assist in recognizing these files: signature strings like "DISC.CIF" or "DOCUME~1" or "LOCAL S~1" may appear; specific byte patterns are present at fixed offsets such as at offset 0 or offset 5 indicating version-5 layout format.

How to open CL5 files

Important: Different programs may use files with the CL5 file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your CL5 file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

We have not yet verified any programs for Windows that work with this specific file format. If you know one, please use the 'Suggest a program' link below. Thanks!

Last updated: August 31, 2026

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