Q File

What are Q files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a Q 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 Q files.

What is a Q file?

Q files have multiple uses, and Quantum Compressed Archive is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Quantum Compressed Archive

Q Compressed Archive files are a compressed file format from MicroQuill Software that was designed to provide users with proprietary data compression capabilities. Contrary to its name, this file format does not incorporate quantum computing algorithms.

The .q file format was designed to provide high levels of compression while maintaining fast compression and decompression speeds. It achieves this by using a dictionary-based algorithm that can identify repeating patterns within a file and replace them with a shorter code.

The .q file format was invented in the 1990s, and is now considered obsolete and is not widely used or supported by mainstream software.

How to open Q files

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

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

Last updated: May 19, 2024

All known file formats using extension .Q

While Quantum Compressed Archive is a popular type of Q-file, we know of 4 different uses of the .Q file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Callahans Crosstime Saloon Video/animation

We know that one Q format is Callahans Crosstime Saloon Video/animation. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Mission Critical Video/animation

We know that one Q format is Mission Critical Video/animation. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Shannara Video/animation

We know that one Q format is Shannara Video/animation. 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 Q files. Remember, different programs may use Q 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 Q file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.