The.vpk is your map file that you will want to drag to your personal addon folder. Note: As a reminder, maps from the addons folder are not loaded using the normal map command, they are loaded using addontoolsmap mapname. A VPK file is an application package used to install third-party apps on a Sony PlayStation Vita gaming console. It contains multiple folders and files that make up a game, which may include.BIN.XML, and.PNG files, that are compressed with Zip compression.

Files with vpk extension are mainly related Steam NCF Valve Pak archive file format used to distribute customizations for Left 4 Dead, Half-Life and other games.

There are 3 other file types using
the VPK file extension!

.vpk - EverQuest II game archive

.vpk - Verge pack

.vpk - Titanfall game archive

Software that open vpk file

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VPK file extension- Steam NCF Valve Pak archive

What is vpk file? How to open vpk files?

File type specification:

vpk file icon:

File extension vpk is used for Valve's PAK format. It's a file-format that contain all the information of the maps custom created by the players for Left 4 Dead, Half-Life, DotA and other games used Steam technology...(Map, custom skin, custom models, custom textures, custom sounds, etc...)

VPK ('Valve Pak') files are uncompressed archives used to package content (never code). They are the successors to GCFs, and when passed to the addon installer tool are also used to distribute add-ons like custom campaigns.

The vpk.exe command line tool that allows users to create Valve Paks is distributed with Valve games. It is available in BIN sub-folder, which can be found in Source engine based video games and Source SDK folder.

For example:

C:Program Files (x86)SteamSteamAppscommonSource SDK Base 2013<Singleplayer or Multiplayer>bin

In Linux-based operating system the Valve Pak command line tool is called vpk_linux32.

Some Source based games, also use customised Source SDK (known as Authoring Tools) for their modding.

Updated: July 9, 2021

The default software associated to open vpk file:

Company or developer:
Valve Corporation

Source SDK is free development environment used to create mods and content for the Source 2006, Source 2007 and Source 2009 engine branches and related video games, like Half-Life 2, Dota 2, Team Fortress 2, Left 4 Dead, Portal, etc.

Company or developer:
Valve Corporation

Half-Life 2 is successor of legendary 3D first person shooter computer game Half-Life. Player takes role of scientist Gordon Freeman that have traveled to City 17 in the Eastern Europe. Freeman is forced to fight against increasingly unfavorable odds in order to survive. In his struggle, he is joined by various allies, including former Black Mesa colleagues, oppressed citizens of City 17, and the Vortigaunts. The game uses the Source game engine, which includes a heavily modified version of the Havok physics engine.

Company or developer:
Valve Corporation

GCFScape a tool that can open and extract from GCF and VPK files that are utilized by Steam for game content storage.

Help how to open:

Use GCFScape to open *.vpk files.

How to convert:

These games files cannot be converted to anything else. However, sometimes modding.

Related links:

List of software applications associated to the .vpk file extension

Recommended software programs are sorted by OS platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android etc.)
and possible program actions that can be done with the file: like open vpk file, edit vpk file, convert vpk file, view vpk file, play vpk file etc. (if exist software for corresponding action in File-Extensions.org's database).

Hint:
Click on the tab below to simply browse between the application actions, to quickly get a list of recommended software, which is able to perform the specified software action, such as opening, editing or converting vpk files.

Software that open vpk file - Steam NCF Valve Pak archive

Programs supporting the exension vpk on the main platforms Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile. Click on the link to get more information about listed programs for open vpk file action.

Microsoft Windows:

Vpk File Opener Free

Main software associated with vpk file by default:
Source SDK
GCFScape

To open VPK file you need to find an application which works with that kind of file. VPK file extension is used by operating systems to recognize files with content of type VPK. Here is some information which will get you started.

How to Open VPK file

• To see if you have an application which supports VPK file format you need to double click on the file.
• This will either open it with matching application or Windows operating system will suggest you to look for an application for file extension VPK either on web or on local computer.
• If there is no application on your computer which can open VPK files you need to search on the internet which application can open VPK files.

Vpk File Opener Windows 10

What is VPK File?

File extensions help computers locate correct application for specific files. Operating systems will not look into the content of the files to be opened, but instead, it will immediately locate the file extension of the file and locate for associated application that can open VPK files. This helps the computer to organize its functions and work much faster. Most operating systems (Windows) require the use of file extensions, but others do not (Unix).

Vpk File Opener Software

These file extensions are also beneficial for us. By simply looking at the filename, we can determine what type of information is stored to that and what applications can open these files. Have you noticed that when your computer acquires an unknown file, it will ask your permission to look for associated program to open it or look for these programs over the Internet? Yes! These file extensions make the work of the computer easy. Once there is no application associated with the file, then the computer will immediately ask the users assistance to help look for the source files.

VPK File Applications

Vpk File Opener Mac

If you know which application opens file extension VPK and it is not mentioned on our site please e-mail us via contact form.

Vpk File Reader

For more information on how to open VPK files read other articles on this website.