Miscellaneous File Formats

About miscellaneous files

The formats that don't fit anywhere else — calendar events, contact cards, GPS tracks, geographic data, and the ghosts of technologies past. Small category, but these are the files that make your phone do specific things when you tap them.

ICS files add events to your calendar. VCF files add contacts to your address book. GPX files record where you ran, cycled, or hiked. KML files display geographic data in Google Earth. These are quiet, useful formats that solve specific problems without any drama.

Then there are the legacy formats. SWF (Flash) was once everywhere and is now nowhere — modern browsers refuse to play Flash content. Torrent files are just metadata that coordinates peer-to-peer downloads. Both are reminders that the internet's format landscape is always shifting, and today's essential format is tomorrow's legacy curiosity.

All miscellaneous formats

.bak A generic backup copy — could be literally anything. .crx A packaged Chrome browser extension — enhanced browsing or p... .desktop A launcher file for Linux applications — the penguin's answe... .fit Binary fitness data from your Garmin — GPS, heart rate, powe... .gpx GPX is an XML format for GPS data — tracks, routes, and wayp... .ics ICS is a universal calendar format — shareable events and sc... .kml KML is an XML format for geographic visualisation — placemar... .kmz A zipped KML file — geographic data with embedded images and... .lnk A Windows shortcut — points to a file, folder, or program on... .lock A file saying "occupied" — prevents concurrent access or pin... .ost A local cache of your Exchange mailbox — lets you work offli... .pst Microsoft Outlook's local mailbox — all your emails, contact... .shp The GIS industry's workhorse — geographic vector data in a m... .swf SWF is Adobe Flash's compiled format — animations and intera... .tmp A scratch file created during processing — safe to delete wh... .torrent Torrent is a metadata file for BitTorrent — containing file ... .url A tiny text file that stores a URL — Windows' idea of a book... .vcf VCF is a universal contact format — name, phone, email, and ... .webloc Apple's bookmark file — drag a link to your desktop and this... .xpi A packaged Firefox browser extension — same concept as CRX, ...

Safety notes

.crx Use caution

Chrome extensions can access browsing data, modify web pages, and intercept network traffic. Only install from the Chrome Web Store and review permissions carefully.

.lnk Use caution

LNK files can execute programs, run scripts, or trigger PowerShell commands. Only open shortcuts from trusted sources.

.swf Use caution

Flash had a long history of security vulnerabilities. SWF files from untrusted sources should not be opened.

.torrent Use caution

Torrent files themselves are safe, but the content they reference may be pirated or contain malware. Use reputable sources.

.xpi Use caution

Firefox extensions can access browsing data and modify web pages. Install from addons.mozilla.org and review permissions before installing.

FAQ

How do I open an ICS file?

Double-click it — your default calendar app (Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook) will offer to add the event. You can also drag ICS files into most calendar applications. ICS is a universal standard supported by every calendar app.

What is a torrent file?

A torrent file contains metadata (file names, sizes, checksums) and tracker URLs — it doesn't contain the actual content. You need a BitTorrent client (qBittorrent, Transmission) to download the files it references. Torrents are legal technology; what you download with them may not be.

Can I still view Flash (SWF) content?

Not in any modern browser. Ruffle (ruffle.rs) is an open-source Flash emulator written in Rust that can play many SWF files. The Internet Archive uses Ruffle to preserve Flash games and animations.

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