SDB File
What are SDB files and how to open them
Are you having problems opening a SDB 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 SDB files.
What is a SDB file?
SDB files have multiple uses, and Windows Application Compatibility (Shim) Database is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.
Windows Application Compatibility (Shim) Database
These files are Windows System Database files, and you usually find them located in sub-folders of the C:\Windows\ folder.
The SDB files are used by the Windows Compatibility Administrator tool and include prepackaged fixes that provide an easy way to fix a program that may not run correctly under Windows.
How to open SDB files
Important: Different programs may use files with the SDB file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your SDB file is, you may need to try a few different programs.
While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested ten different SDB openers which you will find listed below.
Last updated: January 22, 2025
All known file formats using extension .SDB
While Windows Application Compatibility (Shim) Database is a popular type of SDB-file, we know of 7 different uses of the .SDB file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.
Pegasus SPS Encoded Audio
We know that one SDB format is Pegasus SPS Encoded Audio. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.
Sadtler Spectral Database
We know that one SDB format is Sadtler Spectral Database. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.
SAP2000 Database
We know that one SDB format is SAP2000 Database. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.
SkyMap Database
We know that one SDB format is SkyMap Database. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.
SuperMap World - AvisMap GIS Database
We know that one SDB format is SuperMap World - AvisMap GIS Database. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.
TheSky Database
We know that one SDB format is TheSky Database. 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 SDB files. Remember, different programs may use SDB files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.
 | Sage Accounting | User submitted |
 | SAP2000 | User submitted |
 | Simply Accounting by Sage | User submitted |
 | Sage Simply Accounting | User submitted |
 | KnowItAll Informatics System | User submitted |
 | SolarWinds Toolset | User submitted |
 | SQLite2009 Pro Enterprise Manager | User submitted |
 | Simply Accounting | User submitted |
 | Palm OS Desktop | User submitted |
 | Simply Accounting Pro | User submitted |
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 SDB file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.
Not sure exactly what type of file you are trying to open? Try our new File Analyzer. It is a free tool that can identify more than 11,000 different kinds of files - most likely yours too! It will help you find software that can handle your specific type of file. Download File Analyzer here.