A BAK file is a format that contains a zipped backup (backup) of the original file. Such files are created as a result of the work of programs or the operating system as a whole. Objects can be created automatically or by the user.
Where is the BAK format found?
The BAK extension can be found when working with any program that creates or edits image files, documents, archives with program code. Also, backups are often stored in mobile devices for convenient archiving of phone numbers, application data.
Often BAK can be found as one of the main formats of the AutoCAD software package, which is used to create drawings, circuit diagrams and flowcharts of algorithms. When saving a newer version of the file, the old copy does not disappear anywhere and is added to the main application directory. At the same time, the BAK format is also added to its extension, which indicates that the object is an archived copy of the document. In case of damage or deletion of the main file, you can restore all data using a drawing backup.
How to open BAK
The most common BAK viewer is AutoCAD. It can be installed on Windows, Mac OS and Linux. To open a backup file in AutoCAD, simply remove the backup extension from the file name, leaving the original format. Then open the drawing in the program window and continue editing it.
Other apps to view BAK:
- Total Commander - universal explorer allows you to easily open archives and backups on mobile platforms or in Windows OS;
- Command line. On Linux and MacOS, to view the contents of a BAK document, use the file command line utility. It opens the firmware and unpacks the desired file;
Surely each of you noticed that when working on a project in AutoCAD, after saving the *.dwg drawing file, another file appears in the same folder, which has the *.bak extension.
Let's take a closer look, what are bak files in AutoCAD, and when they can come in handy.
In AutoCAD, a bak file is a backup of a drawing, and if this extension is manually changed to *.dwg, then the file will open without problems in AutoCAD and will contain a drawing with all objects. These files are created by default because in "Settings" there is a checkmark next to "Create backup copies" (see fig.).
How to set up autosave in AutoCAD?
Information is not entered into the backup copy immediately, but when the main file is resaved. Therefore, in order to organize work in the AutoCAD program as efficiently as possible, adhere to the following algorithm:
1. Starting work on a new drawing, immediately save it to your computer ("File" - "Save").
2. In the command line, write "SETTINGS", press Enter and in the dialog box that opens, go to the "Open / Save" tab. Make sure that the checkbox next to "Create backup copies" is checked, and autosave is also performed in AutoCAD.
3. Set up AutoCAD autosave. The optimal time is 15-20 minutes.
4. Remember that Therefore, never neglect point #1.
I also advise you to select "Save as" - AutoCAD 2004 or 2007 in the "Save files" section, so that in the future you or someone who needs this drawing can open the file in an earlier version.
Well, now you know how to open bak in AutoCAD and understand how useful this file can be, because. avoids data loss due to unforeseen situations. In AutoCAD autosave where and the main drawing file.
This page explains how you can easily convert a .bak file to PDF using the free and easy to use PDF24 Creator. The described conversion method is free and simple. PDF24 Creator installs a PDF printer and you can print your .bak file on this printer to convert the file to PDF.
What is needed to convert a BAK file to a PDF file or how to create a PDF version of your BAK file
BAK files or .bak files can be easily converted to PDF using a PDF printer.
The PDF Printer is a virtual printer that can be used just like any other printer. The difference from a regular printer is that a PDF printer creates PDF files. You are not printing on a physical piece of paper. The PDF printer prints the contents of the original file into a PDF file.
Thus, you can create a PDF version of any file that can be printed. Simply open the file with a reader, click the print button, select a virtual PDF printer, and click the "Print" button. If you have a reader for the BAK file, and if the reader can print the file, then you can convert the file to a PDF.
The free and easy to use PDF printer from PDF24 can be downloaded from this page. Just click on the download button to the right of this article to download the PDF24 Creator. Install this software. Once installed, you will have a new printing device registered with Windows that you can use to create PDF files from your .bak file or convert any other printable file to PDF.
Here's how it works:
- Install PDF24 Creator
- Open the .bak file with a reader that can open the file.
- Print the file on the virtual PDF24 PDF printer.
- The PDF24 helper opens a window where you can save the new file as a PDF, email it, fax it, or edit it.
An alternative way to convert BAK file to PDF file
PDF24 provides several online tools that can be used to generate PDF files. Supported file types are added on a rolling basis, and it is possible that the BAK file format is also already supported. The conversion service has various interfaces. Two of them are as follows:
Online PDF Converter by PDF24 supports many files that can be converted to PDF. Simply select the BAK file you'd like to get a PDF version of, click the "convert" button, and you'll get a PDF version of the file.
There is also a PDF24 E-Mail PDF Converter that can also be used to convert files to PDF. Just send an email to the E-Mail PDF Converter service, attach the BAK file to the email, and you'll get your PDF back in a few seconds.
How to open bak file?
What data does the Bak format store?
The bak format stores automatically created backup copies of documents. Basically, such formats are encountered by users working in programs such as Autodesk AutoCAD. These programs automatically create backup copies of documents in bak format. But, not only these programs create files of this type - Windows itself can create them for System.ini and Win.ini.
If in the second case it is impractical to open files with the bak format, then in the first case it becomes necessary.
In order to open bak file you need to know what program it was created in. After that, it remains just to replace the bak extension with the extension in which it was created. If you do not know the extension and the program in which the file was created, remove the part of the name in the name that includes the name of the extension. That is, if you have a file "myrabota1.doc.bak" rename it to "myrabota1.doc" .
Many programs save backup copies of original documents in bak format before closing. But it is not recommended to "trust" these files - many cleaners simply delete these files, considering them unnecessary. Backups can help if your computer crashes - you can get your document back in its original form or after the last save. Sometimes this does not even require changing the file extension - just go to the program in which you worked and it will open it automatically.
Programs that will help open files with the bak extension:
1. BSL. The program is an interactive package with which you can manipulate graphical data types. A wide range of options allows you to open the files themselves, as well as their backups created in the bak format. Any user will be able to understand the program, thanks to its convenient and understandable interface.
2. Firefox by Mozilla
Saving backups of Firefox bookmarks have the bak extension. Sometimes files of this type appear in the place of damaged files, which are replaced by new ones. Firefox automatically generates these files in the C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles folder.
3.ACT
Opens backups that were in CRM format. Creates backups in case the original data might be lost. They are mainly created when the program is updated.
This article introduced you to the bak data type. Now you can open this type of data both in the program in which they were created, and with the help of any other special program.
