What is the DAT File Extension?

Reporter:   |   Amended: December 05, 2018

Microsoft Silver

DAT File Summary

There are thirteen file types associated with the DAT File Extension, with the most widely-observed being the Game Data format. According to our database, eighteen distinct software programs (conventionally, Dragon UnPACKer developed by Open Source) will enable you to view these files. The DAT File Extension are listed predominantly as Game Files, while in other circumstances they can be Data Files or Video Files.

File Extension DAT files have been identified on both desktop and mobile devices. They are fully or partially supported by Windows, Mac, and iOS. These files have a Popularity Rating of "Low", meaning they are not very commonly observed on your average hard disk.

Please see the detailed information below to learn more about DAT files and the programs that can open them. In addition, we provide simple troubleshooting information to help you open your DAT file.

Low
Universality
26
File Rank

/ 11690

Active

State

5

December

2018

Page Last Updated

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Varieties of DAT Files

  13 known file types use this extension

Chief DAT Description

.DAT
File Format:.dat
Type:Game Data

This file extension is associated with and used for data resource files in various computer games. Sometimes, although less frequently, this file extension is used for saved game positions.

Organization: Unknown Developer
Kind:Game Files
Key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.dat

Software Programs That Open The Game Data:


Dragon UnPACKer by Open Source

Windows

Other DAT File Associations

.DAT
File Format:.dat
Type:Program Data

Traditionally, the DAT file extension is used by many applications or programs for their resource or data files. No specific program is responsible for creating or using every type of DAT file., meaning they don't have an obvious program that opens them.

Organization: Unknown Developer
Kind:Data Files

Software Programs That Open Program Data Files:


FileAlyzer by Safer Networking Ltd.

Compatible with:

Windows
.DAT
File Format:.dat
Type:Video CD MPEG Movie MPEG1

The DAT file extension is associated with Video MPEG movie file format stored on VCD optical disks. VCDs are playable in most DVD and Blu-Ray players as well as most computer multimedia players.

Organization: Unknown Developer
Kind:Video Files

Software Programs That Open Video CD MPEG Movie MPEG1 Files:


VLC Media Player by VideoLAN

Compatible with:

Windows
Windows Phone
Mac
iOS
Android
Linux
Chrome OS
Solaris
Unix
FreeBSD
NetBSD
OpenBSD

CyberLink PowerDVD by CyberLink

Compatible with:

Windows

MPlayer by The MPlayer Team

Compatible with:

Windows
Mac
Linux

Eltima Elmedia Player by Open Source

Compatible with:

Mac
.DAT
File Format:.dat
Type:Microsoft Internet Explorer Cache

The DAT file extension associated with Microsoft Internet Explorer cache contains cached browsing data. Each time you open a web page in IE, the browser creates cache file of the page's graphics and text.

Organization: Microsoft Corporation
Kind:Uncommon Files

Software Programs That Open Microsoft Internet Explorer Cache Files:


Internet Explorer by Microsoft Corporation

Compatible with:

Windows
Mac
.DAT
File Format:.dat
Type:SPOT Image Format

The DAT file extension is also used for the SPOT image format.

Organization: SPOT Image
Kind:Raster Image Files

Software Programs That Open SPOT Image Format Files:


SPOT Images by SPOT Image

Compatible with:

Windows
.DAT
File Format:.dat
Type:Nero BackItUp Drive Image File

A DAT file extension is also used as a drive image file by the Nero BackitUp backup solution. This DAT file extension contains drive image created by the program.

Organization: Nero AG
Kind:Disk Image Files

Software Programs That Open Nero BackItUp Drive Image File Files:


Nero Backitup by Nero AG

Compatible with:

Windows
Android
.DAT
File Format:.dat
Type:Shareaza Thumbnail

The Shareaza software uses the DAT file extension for its thumbnails. Thumbnails are images that are reduced in size for easier scanning and recognition.

Organization: Unknown Developer
Kind:Data Files

Software Programs That Open Shareaza Thumbnail Files:


Shareaza by Open Source

Compatible with:

Windows
.DAT
File Format:.dat
Type:SWAT Database File

This DAT file extension is used by the SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) for its database files. It includes data about pesticides, fertilizers, lands, tillage, septic, and urban.

Organization: Grassland, Soil and Water Research Laboratory
Kind:Database Files

Software Programs That Open SWAT Database File Files:


SWAT by Grassland, Soil and Water Research Laboratory

Compatible with:

Windows
.DAT
File Format:.dat
Type:Tecplot ASCII Data File

The DAT file extension associated with Tecplot contains text or ASCII data from which the program can generate 3D data.

Organization: Tecplot, Inc
Kind:3D Image Files

Software Programs That Open Tecplot ASCII Data File Files:


Tecplot 360 by Tecplot, Inc

Compatible with:

Mac
Linux
.DAT
File Format:.dat
Type:Barudan Embroidery Format

This DAT file extension is used for one of the embroidery file formats made use by the sewing and stitching machines of Barudan.

Organization: Barudan
Kind:Vector Image Files

Software Programs That Open Barudan Embroidery Format Files:


Embroidermodder 2 by Open Source

Compatible with:

Windows
Mac
Linux

Embird Embroidery Software by BALARAD

Compatible with:

Windows
.DAT
File Format:.dat
Type:Bitcoin Wallet

The Bitcoin P2P payment service uses the DAT file extension for information such as keypairs for addresses, user preferences, default key, accounts, key pool, and others.

Organization: Satoshi Nakamoto
Kind:Data Files

Software Programs That Open Bitcoin Wallet Files:


Bitcoin Core by Open Source

Compatible with:

Windows
Mac
Linux
.DAT
File Format:.dat
Type:Prince Of Persia Game Data

The game Prince of Persia uses the DAT file extension for its various game data like models, animations, and dungeon maps.

Organization: Broderbund
Kind:Game Files

Software Programs That Open Prince Of Persia Game Data Files:


Prince of Persia by Broderbund

Compatible with:

Apple II
.DAT
File Format:.dat
Type:Unreal Tournament Data File

The DAT file extension is associated with the Unreal Engine such as Unreal Tournament, Unreal, Bioshock and many more. It is used as a data file for the internal purposes of Unreal.

Organization: Epic Games
Kind:Game Files

Software Programs That Open Unreal Tournament Data File Files:


Unreal Tournament by Epic Games

Compatible with:

Windows
Mac
Linux

Unreal Development Kit by Epic Games

Compatible with:

Windows

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DAT Popularity


Primary OS Ranking

Windows (97.14%)
Macintosh (2.06%)
Linux (0.73%)
Chrome (0.05%)
Other (0.01%)

Primary Browsers

Chrome (58.80%)
Firefox (11.05%)
Internet Explorer (9.04%)
Edge (8.46%)
Safari (3.87%)


DAT File Complications


Typical DAT Opening Challenges

Dragon UnPACKer Disappeared

When you double-click your DAT file, you may see a dialog box from your operating system stating that it "Cannot Open This File Type". Customarily, this means that Dragon UnPACKer is not installed on %%os%%. This will prevent you from double-clicking to open the DAT file because the OS doesn’t know how to handle it.


Tip: When another DAT application is installed, you can choose to open it by selecting "Show Apps" and using that program.


Obsolete Version of Dragon UnPACKer

Occasionally, you might have an outdated version of Dragon UnPACKer installed that's incompatible with your Game Data type. If you've got the wrong version of Dragon UnPACKer installed, you'll need to install the correct version. This issue mainly occurs when your Game Data file was created by a newer version of Dragon UnPACKer than you have on your PC.


Tip: Investigate your DAT file by right-clicking and selecting "Properties" to find clues on what version you need.


Conclusion: The majority of DAT file opening issues are due to not having the correct Dragon UnPACKer version installed.


More Causes of Problems Opening DATs

You can still experience errors opening DAT files even with the latest version of Dragon UnPACKer installed on your PC. If you are still having problems opening DAT files, there may be other issues that are preventing you from opening these files. Problems unrelated to software:

  • Corrupt Windows Registry file path references for DAT
  • Corruption of the DAT file description inside the Registry
  • Dragon UnPACKer or another DAT application experienced a flawed installation
  • The DAT itself is corrupted
  • Your DAT is infected with malware
  • Hardware associated with DAT has outdated drivers
  • Windows has inadequate resources to open your Game Data file

Quiz: Which file extension is the most widely used on the World Wide Web?







Poll: How many different computer files (eg. documents, videos, audio) do you typically view or edit on a daily basis?








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