All about PRF Files

The PRF file type is primarily associated with Outlook.

PRF	File extension: PRF
	File type:	Outlook profile

What is a PRF file?

PRF files mostly belong to Outlook by Microsoft. The PRF file format is mainly associated with the Outlook software developed by Microsoft.

Main Use: PRF stands for Outlook Profile file. Microsoft Outlook is the email managing and calendar organizing application. It is a part of the Microsoft Office software suite that runs on Windows PCs. PRF files are commonly used in configuring Outlook software. PRF profile files store several kinds of information such as Microsoft Outlook settings, MAPI (Messaging Application Programming Interface) services, mail account data, and other preferences. PRF files can be generated and modified using the Office Customization Tool (OCT). The contents of a PRF file can also be viewed using standard text editors as the data is stored in a plain-text format.
Other Uses: Within the C++-based programming framework Qt, PRF files are used to indicate features files that contain various definitions and implementations of customized functions present in a Qt project. These PRF feature files can be modified using basic text editors or an IDE. PRF files also store program settings data related to the Adobe Director application. PRF files are also associated with the page layout and publishing software, QuarkXpress. QuarkXPress uses PRF files to store preferences related to workspace settings, import and export options. Monarch, a business intelligence program owned by Datawatch, also uses PRF files as Portable Report Format files. Monarch uses these PRF files for exporting reports in a ZIP-compressed format.

How can I open a PRF file?

You need a suitable software like Outlook to open a PRF 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 PRF file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a PRF file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online PRF File Viewer

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How to convert PRF files to JPG, PDF, HTML, DOC, ...

If you want to convert or edit a PRF file, you can use our free Online PRF File Converter (powered by Convert.Guru):

To do so, click the "Choose your .prf file to view this image" button above.
Your PRF file will then be displayed in the browser.
Now click on "Save as..." at the top of the page.
Then click the file format (e.g. PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
Download the converted file.

Programs that open and convert PRF files:

Outlook by Microsoft
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. PRF files are often referred to as Outlook settings because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
AntiVirus Plus (VirusScan profile) by McAfee
AntiVirus Plus is an antivirus software from McAfee. A PRF file may contain a VirusScan profile. VirusScan is a component of AntiVirus Plus. Related links: VirusScan on Wikipedia, McAfee AntiVirus Plus Review
AppleWorks (preferences file) by Apple
AppleWorks is a discontinued productivity suite from Apple that includes a word processor, database, and spreadsheet. The PRF file stores preferences for the software. AppleWorks was previously named ClarisWorks. This file format is classified as Settings. Related links: AppleWorks on Wikipedia, ClarisWorks History, ClarisWorks Video, Download ClarisWorks from the Internet Archive, ClarisWorks on WinWorld
CheckIt (data file) by TouchStone
CheckIt is a diagnostics tool for identifying problems with a system's hardware. It was developed by TouchStone and is now discontinued. A PRF file stores data for CheckIt. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: CheckIt Demo on the Internet Archive, CheckIt on WinWorld, CheckIt in PC Mag
dBase (print form) by dBase
dBase is a database management system that was initially developed in 1979 under the name Vulcan. It has own programming language. The PRF file format is associated with a print form file in dBase. The file is used to store printer settings. This file format is classified as Settings. Related links: dBase on Wikipedia, dBase FAQs, PRF Files Mentioned in dBase Guide, PRF Files Mentioned in dBase Help, PRF Files Mentioned in Wikipedia Article
Director (preferences file) by Adobe
Director is a discontinued multimedia application authoring software from Adobe. The PRF file stores preferences for the application. This file format is classified as Settings. Related links: Director on Wikipedia, Director User Manual, Director FAQs, PRF File Mentioned in Article About Director, Director Introduction Video
FileNet eForms (preferences file) by IBM
FileNet eForms is an electronic form management software that is a part of FileNet P8, an enterprise content management system. A PRF file stores preferences for FileNet eForms. This file format is classified as Settings. Related links: FileNet eForms Overview, FileNet eForms Documentation
Monarch (portable report file) by Altair
Monarch is a data preparation software from Altair that was previously developed by Datawatch (now acquired by Altair). The PRF extension is associated with a portable report file in Monarch. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: Monarch on Wikipedia, Monarch Guide, Archived Monarch Product Page from Datawatch's Website, Community Discussion Mentioning PRF Files, Monarch Overview Video
QuarkXPress (preferences file) by Quark
QuarkXPress is a page layout and graphic design software from Quark. The PRF file stores preferences for the application. This file format is classified as Settings. Related links: QuarkXPress on Wikipedia, QuarkXPress Getting Started Guide, QuarkXPress User Guide, Support Article About Missing PRF Files, Support Article About PRF File Error
TNTmips (print file) by MicroImages
TNTmips is a software from MicroImages for viewing, creating, editing, analyzing, and publishing geospatial data. The PRF format stores a print file in TNTmips and in other TNT software that are developed by MicroImages. The print file stores information required by the printer to print a layout created using the TNT software. It is accompanied by one or more files that have the extensions P1, P2, and so on. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: TNTmips on Wikipedia, PRF Files Mentioned in TNTmips Printing Tutorial, PRF File Description on MicroImages Website, PRF Files Mentioned in MicroImages Quick Guide
Windows (Windows system file) by Microsoft
Windows is an operating system from Microsoft. PRF files are system files in Windows. They may store preferences or settings. This file format is classified as System. Related links: Windows on Wikipedia, PRF Files Mentioned on Microsoft Docs

PRF file extension format:

To find out what program is needed to open PRF files, you need to determine the file format. A file format is determined by the file extension and signature, so JPEG images have the extension .jpg and the first bytes in the file are ÿØÿ. If the file extension does not match the file format, double-clicking on the file will cause an error upon opening. If there are problems opening a file, you must first determine the file format used. Our analysis of the PRF files produces the following result:

Files with the PRF extension are quite widely used. This file type is used by many programs, each with its own file format. But the following two file formats are common:

15% of all PRF files store the data in the 7z file format. 7z is a compressed archive file format that supports several different data compression, encryption and pre-processing algorithms. These files contain neither text nor words, but only data. The files are 800 KB to 9 MB in size, with a median of 2 MB. It is a modern file type.
9% of all PRF files start with the magic bytes 01 00, which are always the first bytes of this file format. If you open these files in a text editor, you will see only illegible characters. A typical file size is 13 KB. The keywords KORF are typical for these files. A common filename is BANK01.PRF or BANK02.PRF. Such files are related to user.

All other PRF files (76%) have no consistent format, frequently e.g. Corsair Utility Engine Profile, Polychrome Recursive Format bitmap, config, PDF, dlin, lfrPrylP, PRFL, AQD and THS. These files sometimes refer to plane, profile, proof, player, build or data. If you want to find out what your PRF file contains, drag and drop it onto this page.

Technical Data for PRF File Extension

File classification:

Settings

Related files:

pics, zip, pcg, pcsav, sty, rsk, prfpset, rpf, 7z, pdf, rules, pap, xpl, exe, crdownload, check, ini, gbl, txt, lpl, pst, ost, oab

Mime type:

application/pics-rules, application/octet-stream, text/xml

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: prffile, FileType: Microsoft Office Outlook Profile Settings, AppName: Microsoft Office Outlook

ProgramID: prffile, FileType: Microsoft Outlook Profile Settings, AppName: Microsoft Outlook

ProgramID: prffile, FileType: msrating.dll,-3001, AppName: Internet Ratings and Local User Management DLL
EXEFile: msrating.dll

ProgramID: prffile, FileType: msrating.dll,-3001, AppName: Microsoft Outlook
EXEFile: OUTLOOK.EXE

ProgramID: prffile, FileType: PICSRules File, AppName: Internet Ratings and Local User Management DLL

ProgramID: prffile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office10\OUTLOOK.EXE /ImportPRF

ProgramID: prffile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office10\OUTLOOK.EXE /ImportPRF %1

ProgramID: prffile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\OUTLOOK.EXE

ProgramID: prffile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\OUTLOOK.EXE /PromptImportPRF %1

ProgramID: prffile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office_XP\Office10\OUTLOOK.EXE

ProgramID: prffile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Outlook\OFFICE11\OUTLOOK.EXE /PromptImportPRF %1

ProgramID: prffile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\OfficeXP\Office10\OUTLOOK.EXE /ImportPRF %1

ProgramID: prffile
EXEFile: rundll32.exe msrating.dll,ClickedOnPRF %1

ProgramID: prffile
EXEFile: W:\OfficeXP\FILES\PFILES\MSOFFICE\OFFICE10\OUTLOOK.EXE /ImportPRF

ProgramID: prffile
EXEFile: rundll32.exe %SystemRoot%\ServicePackFiles\i386\msrating.dll,ClickedOnPRF %1

ProgramID: XnView.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\XnView\xnview.exe %1

ProgramID: prffile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%r\Microsoft Office\Office10\OUTLOOK.EXE /ImportPRF %1

ProgramID: prffile
EXEFile: rundll32.exe msrating.dll,ClickOnPRF %1

ProgramID: prffile
EXEFile: rundll32.exe msrating.dll,ClickedOnPRF %1

ProgramID: DeviceCentral.prf
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Adobe Device Central CS4\DeviceCentral.exe

ProgramID: prffile
EXEFile: %SystemRoot%\system32\rundll32.exe %SystemRoot%\system32\msrating.dll,ClickedOnPRF

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a prf Outlook profile is a special file format by Microsoft and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with PRF files

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