PBF File

What are PBF files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a PBF 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 PBF files.

What is a PBF file?

PBF files have multiple uses, and Paragon Backup Format Image is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Paragon Backup Format Image

The .pbf file extension is most commonly associated with the Paragon backup and recovery application. The PBF files contain backup files that are stored in the proprietary Paragon format. These files can be used to restore individual computer files or entire hard drive contents in the event of data loss or corruption.

How to open PBF files

We have identified one PBF opener that is compatible with this specific type of PBF file.

Programs that open Paragon Backup Format Image files

Last updated: August 10, 2026

All known file formats using extension .PBF

While Paragon Backup Format Image is a popular type of PBF-file, we know of 6 different uses of the .PBF file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Portable Bitmap Format

We know that one PBF format is Portable Bitmap Format. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

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

PowerBackup Archive File

A PowerBackup Archive File is a backup container created by CyberLink's PowerBackup software. It stores files and folders from your Windows computer after a backup operation - whether you choose full, differential, or incremental mode. The .PBF file is what PowerBackup writes when you back up data so that you can restore individual items or entire sets later using the same software.

PowerBackup defines its backup strategy based on the "backup method" you select. A full backup saves everything you choose; a differential backup stores all files added or modified since the last full backup; an incremental backup saves only files changed since the most recent incremental (or full) backup. PowerBackup uses the Archive attribute of files in Windows to decide whether to include them in differential or incremental backups. Before backing up, you can set options such as compression, password protection, using multiple volumes, and creating a self-contained "restore" executable so you can restore the contents even if PowerBackup is not installed.

Internally, .PBF files are binary archives. They begin with identifiable byte sequences and include metadata about the backup job. One verified signature starts with the bytes "00 16 84 86 00 00 00 00 00 02" at offset 0 (and repeating at offset 66), as well as the sequence "3A 00 5C 00" (ASCII ":.\\") at offset 121.

PBF opener for Windows

We have identified one PBF opener that is compatible with this specific type of PBF file.

ProtocolBuffer Binary Format Map Data

We know that one PBF format is ProtocolBuffer Binary Format Map Data. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Sprite Backup Image

We know that one PBF format is Sprite Backup Image. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Turtle Beach Pinnacle Sound Bank File

We know that one PBF format is Turtle Beach Pinnacle Sound Bank File. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of PBF files. Remember, different programs may use PBF 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 PBF file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.