Opening a PCV File

The PCV file type is primarily associated with Thunderbird.

PCV	File extension: PCV
	File type:	backup archive file

What is a PCV file?

PCV files mostly belong to Thunderbird by Mozilla. The PCV extension is used by files compressed using the ZIP compressing format.

Usage: PCV files are archives created by a program called MozBackup. This application is used to backup and restore user profiles for Mozilla Thunderbird, Firefox, Mozilla Suite and Netscape Navigator. The profiles are stored in compressed ZIP formats and contain data such as email, messages, contacts, bookmarks etc. Another program PCV files are associated with is Spearit Software's Move Me. This is a migration utility for computers that run Microsoft Windows. Move Me helps transfer various programs and files from one device to the other.
Compression: The ZIP compressing format gives PCV files the ability to compress big amounts of data with no loss of information involved. This way the data inside is safe and secure from getting lost and is the main reason why they're used to save and restore profiles. This compressing format also supports data encryption to protect data.
Adoption: PCV files are supported by Windows and Linux-based systems only.

How to open PCV files

You need a suitable software like Thunderbird to open a PCV file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your PCV file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a PCV file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online PCV Text Viewer

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Programs that open and convert PCV files:

Thunderbird by Mozilla
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. PCV files are often referred to as Thunderbird backups because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Move Me (backup archive file) by Spearit
Move Me is a software used to migrate user profiles and data from one computer to another. The product has been discontinued. PCV is the file that stores the data being tranferred. This file format is classified as Backup. Related links: Move Me Review
MozBackup (backup archive file) by Pavel Cvrcek
MozBackup is a utility for backing profiles of Mozilla applications such as Thunderbird. The backups are saved as PCV files. They are regular ZIP files and store information such as contacts, mail, and history. This file format is classified as Backup. Related links: MozBackup Manual, PCV File, MozBackup Guide, MozBackup Repository, How to Import PCV to Thunderbird
PC Upgrade Commander (backup archive file) by V Communications
PC Upgarde Commander is a utility used for migrating files and registery setting from one computer to another. The product has been discontinued. PCV is the file that stores the data being tranferred. This file format is classified as Backup. Related links: PC Upgrade Commander Review, Article on PC Upgrade Commander
PCmover (backup archive file) by Laplink
Pcmover is a software from Laplink that transfers files, applications, settings, and user profiles from one computer to another. A PCV (Pcmover moving van) file stores the data that is being transferred. This file is imported into the target computer. This file format is classified as Backup. Related links: PCmover on Wikipedia, Microsoft Page for Pcmover, PCmover User Guide, PCmover Tutorial

PCV format details:

Each file has a definite file format, that is, how the stored data is arranged in the file. Often, the file format can be deduced from the file extension or the initial bytes (called the signature). Nonetheless, different programs can utilize the same file extension to represent distinct file formats. Double-clicking on the file often results in an error when opening. When there is a problem with a file, the first step to solving it is to determine the file format. Our examination of the PCV files comes to the following conclusion:

The PCV file extension predominantly uses a uniform format. The two most common formats are as follows:

70% of all PCV files are based on the zip format, so several files are compressed and saved in one PCV file. PCV files contain from 47 to 180 compressed files. Customary file names are AlternateServices.txt, SecurityPreloadState.txt, SiteSecurityServiceState.txt, Telemetry.ShutdownTime.txt, abook.mab, addons.json, blist.sqlite, cert1.db, directoryTree.json, indexfile.txt, saved-telemetry-pings, \Mail\, \crashes\ and \datareporting\. If you want to see the included files and images, simply rename the file extension to .zip and double-click it. PCV files are between 4 MB and 3 GB in size. The following keywords are characteristic: prefs.js. A common filename is Thunderbird - 2020-06-01.pcv. Files like these have the following tags: firefox.
25% of all PCV files have the same signature naVM. These files are binary files, so they do not contain text, but only cryptic characters. Most of these files are 370 MB to 140 GB in size. Several words can almost always be found in the files, e.g. DESKTOP and PRPCMPB. The file name 20180601.pcv is characteristic of these files. These files are attributed to computer, progress and desktop.

All the rest of the PCV files (5%) have different formats. Often described as backup. Just click the "Choose your .pcv file to analyze" button on this page to find out what your PCV file is.

Technical Data for PCV File Extension

File classification:

Backup

Related files:

pvc, pcvl alfaco, pcvl bairan, pcvl balirong, pcvl south pob, msf, zip, exe, mbox, sbd

Mime type:

application/octet-stream

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: MoveMe.Van
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Spearit\Move Me\MoveMe.exe /dde

ProgramID: PCmover.Van
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Laplink\PCmover\PCmover.exe

a pcv backup archive file is a special file format by Mozilla and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with PCV files

Associate the PCV file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open backup archive files. Because only the current version supports the latest PCV file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Mozilla manufacturer website after an available Thunderbird update.
To make sure that your PCV file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .PCV file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.