How to Recover .PAF Files After Software Crashes

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .PAF file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2025.

How to Recover .PAF Files After Software Crashes
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .PAF file?

Installer for a portable application stored on a USB flash drive; can be installed and run on any Windows computer from the USB drive; includes software such as Firefox Portable, OpenOffice.org Portable, 7-Zip Portable, as well as many other games, programs, and utilities.

What Are Common Causes of ".PAF" Files Lost or Failure?

There can be several common causes for ".PAF" (Personal Ancestral File) files lost or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete the ".PAF" files while organizing or cleaning up their computer's storage.
  2. File corruption: A ".PAF" file can get corrupted due to various reasons such as improper shutdown, power failure, hardware issues, or software errors. This can lead to the file becoming inaccessible or unusable.
  3. Virus or malware infection: If a computer gets infected with viruses or malware, it can cause damage or deletion of files including ".PAF" files.
  4. Software conflicts: Incompatibility or conflicts with other software installed on the computer can result in the loss or failure of ".PAF" files.
  5. Storage media issues: Problems with the storage media where the ".PAF" files are saved, such as hard drive failure, bad sectors, or physical damage, can lead to data loss.
  6. Operating system issues: Errors or issues with the operating system can cause ".PAF" files to become lost or corrupted.
  7. Human error: Mistakes made by users, such as accidental formatting of storage devices or improper handling of files, can result in the loss of ".PAF" files.

To prevent the loss or failure of ".PAF" files, it is recommended to regularly backup the files to external storage devices or cloud storage, use reliable antivirus software, and avoid actions that may lead to file corruption or deletion.

How to recover lost ".PAF" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".PAF" file may be deleted.

Go to view
🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".PAF" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".PAF" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".PAF" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 5.0
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software

  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".PAF" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type

  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored

  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan

  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery

  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".PAF" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo portable Application Installer File image file file?

Programs that open ".PAF" files

Windows
HEX Editor HEX Editor

Additional Information

  • File type: Portable Application Installer File

  • File extension: .PAF

  • Developer: N/A

  • Category: Executable Files

  • Format: N/A

  • Mime-type: application/octet-stream

  • HEX: 35 30 30 00 35 30 30 00 50 41 46

  • ASCII: 500500PAF

  • File types that use the extension .PAF:

    • Portable Application Installer File

    • Personal Ancestral File

    • PARIS Audio File

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 12:22 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .PAF files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What does the file extension .PAF stand for, and what type of file is it?

    The file extension .PAF stands for Personal Ancestral File. It is a file format used for genealogy software. Personal Ancestral File is a family history and genealogy management software developed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The .PAF file contains data and information about individuals, families, and their relationships within a genealogical database.

  • How can I open a .PAF file on my computer? Are there any specific programs or software required?

    To open a .PAF file on your computer, you will need a specific program called Personal Ancestral File (PAF) Viewer. PAF Viewer is a free software developed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for viewing and editing genealogy data.

    To open a .PAF file, follow these steps:

    1. Download and install PAF Viewer: Visit the official PAF Viewer website (https://www.familysearch.org/products) and download the software suitable for your operating system (Windows or Mac).
    2. Install PAF Viewer: Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install the software on your computer.
    3. Open the .PAF file: After the installation, locate the .PAF file you want to open. Right-click on the file and select "Open with" from the context menu. Choose PAF Viewer from the list of programs, or if it is not listed, click "Choose another app" and browse for the PAF Viewer executable file.
    4. View and edit the genealogy data: Once the .PAF file is opened in PAF Viewer, you can explore the genealogy data, view family trees, and make edits if necessary.

    It's worth noting that PAF Viewer is no longer actively supported or updated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, it can still be used to open and view .PAF files.

  • Are there any potential risks or precautions I should be aware of when opening a .PAF file, such as the possibility of malware or compatibility issues?

    Yes, there are potential risks and precautions to consider when opening a .PAF file:

    1. Malware: Like any other file type, there is a risk of malware infection when opening a .PAF file. It is important to ensure that the file is from a trusted source and to have a reliable antivirus software installed on your device to scan the file before opening it.
    2. Compatibility: .PAF files are typically associated with Personal Ancestral File (PAF) software, which is no longer supported by its developer. If you are trying to open a .PAF file with a newer genealogy software, compatibility issues may arise. It is recommended to check the compatibility of the software you are using before attempting to open the file.
    3. Data Loss: Opening a .PAF file may overwrite or modify existing data in the software you are using. It is advisable to create backups of your existing data before opening the file to avoid any potential data loss.
    4. Privacy Concerns: .PAF files may contain personal or sensitive information about individuals and families. Ensure that you are aware of the content of the file and take necessary precautions to protect the privacy of the data.

    To mitigate these risks, it is crucial to exercise caution, maintain up-to-date security software, and verify the source of the .PAF file before opening it.
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