Opening PCH Files

The PCH file type is primarily associated with Visual Studio.

PCH	File extension: PCH
	File type:	precompiled header file

What is a PCH file?

PCH files mostly belong to Visual Studio.

A PCH file is used mainly as a precompiled header in C++ projects. It is generated by compilers such as those in Visual Studio to store processed header code so that the compiler does not have to re-read common header information each time. This design cuts down the time for full project builds.

The same extension is also used in other areas:

Precompiled Headers: In C/C++ development, the file holds compiled header data for faster builds.

Simulation Output: Some engineering tools, like MSC Nastran, output PCH files that store simulation results. More details can be found at MSC Software.

Cheat Code Files: Certain emulators, such as MyBoy!, use PCH files to hold cheat codes (for example, for Pokemon games).

Backup Files: In some cases, backup utilities like Norton Ghost use the PCH extension to create disk image backups. See Norton for reference.

FilExt.com notes: This extension shows different uses depending on the tool or application. In development, a precompiled header is key to reducing compile times. In simulations or backups, the extension represents a specific data format tailored to that use.

How to open PCH files

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

Online PCH Text Viewer

Choose your .pch file to analyze

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

✈

Read our privacy guarantee in Filext’s terms and privacy policy

Please allow ads on our site

This helps us keep our servers running. Then re-upload your file to view it.

Click here to see how to disable the ad blocker for filext.com

Programs that open and convert PCH files:

Visual Studio
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. PCH files are often referred to as Visual Studio developers because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Clone.exe (Backup Index) by Spotmau, Inc
Directory and structure file for Spotmau 2009 and on for disk images or backups This file format is classified as Archive.
Patch File
Pixeur (Color History File) by Veign
With Pixeur you can view the color, RGB, Hex, and Long value of any color you see. Pixeur will also keep a history of all colors you have selected, so going back is as simple as choosing the color from the Color History list. This file format is classified as Graphic.
Visual C (PreCompiled Header) by Microsoft Corporation
The identifying characters used for this association are - Hex: 56 43 50 43 48 30, ASCII: VCPCH0.

PCH file format:

The file format, which is the arrangement and type of data in a file, determines which program can open the file. The file format can be deduced from the file extension and the signature. However, different programs can use the same file extension, and file extensions can be assigned incorrectly. So a detailed analysis of a file is vital in order to determine the format and the associated program. Our evaluation of the PCH files looks like this:

PCH is not a common file extension and covers different formats for different programs. However, the following two file formats are common:

25% of all PCH files are MS Visual C files. These files are binary files, so they do not contain text, but only cryptic characters. PCH files are between 240 KB and 31 MB in size. The keywords VCPCH0 are typical for these files.
15% of all PCH files start with the bytes $TITLE = , which are crucial for this file format. The contents of these files are easily readable with a text editor. The file size is in the range of 5 KB to 1 GB. The following keywords are characteristic: LABEL, $SUBTITLE= 2 and $TITLE = 1.

All other PCH files (60%) have no uniform format. These files are often connected to prefix. If you want to find out what your PCH file contains, drag and drop it onto this page.

Technical Data for PCH File Extension

File classification:

Developer

Identifier:

Hex: 56 43 50 43 48 30, ASCII: VCPCH0 (provided by TrID database)

Related files:

cpp, h, lib, out, pchtxt, phc, zip, pcg, idb, vcwin32, pdb, dbg, obj, dll, iso, img, bin, dat

Mime type:

text/x-patch

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: pchfile, FileType: Intermediate file

ProgramID: pchfile, FileType: Precompiled Header File

a pch precompiled header file is a special file format and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with PCH files

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