Opening PFC Files

The PFC file type is primarily associated with AOL Desktop.

PFC	File extension: PFC
	File type:	personal filing cabinet file

What is a PFC file?

PFC files mostly belong to AOL Desktop by America Online. PFC is a proprietary database file that stores data from the AOL Desktop software application to a local user-defined location for offline use.

Data: Stored data in PFC files can include stored email messages from AOL Mail (but not attachments to email), favorites or bookmarks, "AFK" messages, newsgroup postings, and preferences (eg. user language and configuration data). Email attachments can't be opened by the user, as they aren't stored together with the message, but as a 64-bit encoding instead.
Usage: Each username or AOL account has its own PFC file in a folder usually named "Organize". Because these files are stored locally on the computer and are linked to the username, they aren't accessible when using a different computer, logging in to a different account, or logging in as a guest. AOL version 9 introduced the option to save email to AOL servers instead of the local machine which would provide access when logging in from another computer or as a guest. But, users often export their PFC data out of AOL anyway, to improve accessibility and usability.

How to open PFC files

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

Online PFC Text Viewer

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Programs that open and convert PFC files:

AOL Desktop by America Online
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. PFC files are often referred to as AOL Desktop data files because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Pegasus Mail (message cache file) by David Harris
Pegasus Mail is a free internet e-mail client for personal computers, developed by David Harris. The PFC file stores messages cache - temporary data used for internal purposes of this software. Since this file type is a text-based and data file type - it can be opened using text editing tools. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: FAQ, Support, Pegasus_Mail on Wikipedia
Presto PageManager (data and settings file) by NewSoft
Presto PageManager, developed by NewSoft, is software for creating, editing, converting, and managing documents stored on the computer - and embedding them into PDF. It can split multiple-page PDF files into separate files or merge several PDF files into one. The PFC file contains text, images, settings, and other components used for managing and sharing digital documents. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: User Guide, Support
WordPerfect (perfect fit filter file) by Corel
Corel WordPerfect word processing software is a part of the Word Perfect Office suite, developed for creating documents, letters, brochures, resumes, etc. This software uses a PFC file for storing perfect fit filters. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: Handbook, Support, WordPerfect on Wikipedia

PFC file format:

If you can determine the file format, the associated program can also be determined. Each file format has a unique extension and almost always a unique signature. For example, Microsoft Word documents have the extension .docx and the signature (usually the first 3 characters in this file) PK. Frequently, however, one file extension is used by different programs for different file formats, and one file format for different file extensions. Exact knowledge of the format is therefore important in order to solve problems occurring in files. Our evaluation of the PFC files looks like this:

The PFC file extension is rarely used and includes different formats for the applicable programs. The two most popular formats are as follows:

65% of all PFC files are AOL Preferences/Personal Filing Cabinet files. If you open these files in a text editor, you will see only illegible characters. The files are often between 15 KB and 16 MB in size. This file type was primarily in use more than 20 years ago. The following keywords are characteristic: AOLVM100. A common filename is Favorite Places.pfc. These files can be linked to mail, places, favorite, favourite, eingang, email, renaissance, markierte, services, fairs and sent.
10% of all PFC files use the same file format, which have the signature PSD. They consist of unreadable binary data. The average file size is 660 KB with most files being between 32 KB and 2 MB in size.

All the rest of the PFC files (25%) have different formats. Just click the "Choose your .pfc file to analyze" button on this page to find out what your PFC file is.

Technical Data for PFC File Extension

File classification:

Data

Related files:

brainbuilder, wbk, pdf, jpg, fpc, zip, arl, bag, 40

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: PFComponent, AppName: PFREG
EXEFile: PFREG.EXE

ProgramID: PFComponent, FileType: PerfectFit Component

ProgramID: PFComponent
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Corel\Suite 8\Programs\PFREG.EXE %1

ProgramID: PFComponent
EXEFile: C:\Corel\Suite8\Programs\PFREG.EXE %1

ProgramID: PFComponent
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\IMSI\Flow!\PROGRAMS\SPELLING\PFREG.EXE %1

ProgramID: pfcfile
EXEFile: C:\PFC\PFCLOAD.EXE -s

ProgramID: PFComponent
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\NewSoft\PRESTO~1\PMVIEWER.EXE

ProgramID: PFComponent
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\NewSoft\PAGEMA~1\PMVIEWER.EXE

Show all 8 listings To Top

a pfc personal filing cabinet file is a special file format by America Online and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with PFC files

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