How do I open a .bkp file?

Use the app that created it and choose Restore or Import backup. A .bkp is meant to be imported, not double-clicked.

Is it safe to delete a .bkp file?

Yes if you have a newer backup or the live data is intact. Check the date and contents first — it may be your only recovery copy.

What is a .bkp file used for?

It stores a backup snapshot of data — documents, a database, or app settings — so you can restore after a crash or mistake.

Can I open a .bkp in Notepad?

You can peek to see if it is text, but most .bkp files are app-specific and must be restored through their program.

What Is a .BKP File?

A .bkp file appeared and you are not sure what it holds. It is a backup copy — of a document, database, or app settings. Here is how to use or clear it.

What a .bkp file is

A .bkp file is a backup, short for "backup." Accounting apps, password managers, database software, and firmware tools all save .bkp copies so you can restore data after a mistake, crash, or upgrade.

Why you have one

Either the app made it automatically on a schedule, or you clicked an "export backup" option. It is a snapshot of your data at that moment.

How to open a .bkp file

A .bkp is only useful to the program that created it, so open or import it there — look for a Restore or Import backup menu rather than double-clicking. If you do not know the source app, open the file in a text editor: readable text hints at the format, while binary content means it is app-specific. Do not rely on renaming alone unless the app documents it.

Is it safe to delete?

Yes, if you have a newer backup or the live data is fine. But a .bkp can be your only recovery copy — check its date and what it contains before removing it.

How to handle a .bkp file by OS

Windows: keep it out of temporary folders that get cleaned; move important .bkp files to a safe location or cloud. macOS/Linux: same idea — a backup you might need should not sit in a temp directory.

Common problems

If a program will not import a .bkp, make sure you are using the same app and a compatible version that wrote it; older or newer versions sometimes change the backup format.