How to Access BAK Files

BAK files are backup files. In most cases they are created automatically by a program or operating system. This occurs most commonly with programs that have an autosave component. In Firefox (Web Browser), when bookmarks are backed up, the resulting file has a BAK extension. It's important to know first how to find your BAK files, then how to use the BAK file to create a new primary file.

Things You'll Need

• Computer

Instructions

How to Access BAK Files

1. To find BAK files, the easiest way is to search your computer. This is a necessity if the file was not specifically created and its location is unknown. For Mac users, open Finder and type BAK in the search bar. In the finder there will be a list of BAK files on the computer. For PC users, go to the start menu and click on "search." Then click, "all files and folders." Then enter BAK in the search bar and click "search."

2. Because BAK files are generated by different programs, the procedure for opening this type of file is not standardized by a specific program. First, determine what program generated the backup file: PDF from Adobe Acrobat? Word document? Web browser bookmark?

3. After you know the program that created the back-up file, rename the file without the BAK extension. Right click the file and click "rename." Then delete the BAK portion of the file name. For example, a Microsoft Word-generated filed named "homework.bak" should be renamed "homework." Once the file has been renamed, open the file with the program corresponding to the file.

Tips & Warnings

• Although these files are created in most cases to avoid losing work, they may not represent the latest version of the original file. Nevertheless, recovering a BAK file will prevent a complete loss of your data and may result in only some work needing to be replicated.