.VBK file extension
To open .VBK files on Windows, install and open Veeam Backup & Replication or Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows (whichever created the backup).
To open a .vbk file, use Veeam software (most commonly Veeam Backup & Replication or Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows) and perform a restore or import from within the Veeam console. A .vbk is not meant to be opened with a general-purpose viewer; it’s a backup container used for recovery.
Last updated: October 13, 2026
Open on your device
Choose your operating system for a dedicated step-by-step opening guide.
How to open .VBK files
Use these platform-specific instructions to open .VBK files safely.
Windows
- Install and open Veeam Backup & Replication or Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows (whichever created the backup).
- In the Veeam console, use the appropriate restore workflow (or import/rescan existing backups) and point it at the folder containing the .vbk and its related backup chain files.
Mac
- There is no common macOS-native way to open a Veeam .vbk directly; move the .vbk (and associated chain files) to a Windows machine running Veeam software.
- Run the restore/import from within the Veeam application on Windows, pointing to the backup folder.
Linux
- There is no common Linux-native way to open a Veeam .vbk directly; access the backup from a Windows system running Veeam software.
- Use Veeam’s restore/import workflow on the Windows Veeam system and select the backup repository/folder containing the .vbk and related files.
iOS
- iOS apps generally do not open .vbk backups; access the file from a desktop system with Veeam software to perform a restore.
Android
- Android apps generally do not open .vbk backups; transfer the file to a desktop system with Veeam software to perform a restore.
Security notes
- .vbk files can contain complete system or VM data (potentially including credentials, personal data, or proprietary information). Treat them as highly sensitive assets and limit access accordingly.
- Because Veeam describes the VBK format as proprietary and community discussions indicate no public format documentation, avoid untrusted third-party “VBK readers” or converters; prefer official Veeam restore tools.
- When copying or relocating backups, keep the entire chain together as documented by Veeam; partial or mismatched chains can lead to failed restores and can complicate verifying what data is actually recoverable.
Can't open this file?
These are the most common causes and fixes when .VBK files fail to open.
Common reasons
- Restore fails because backup chain files were moved or copied incompletely
- Windows opens the file with the wrong application (or prompts to choose an app)
- Confusion with other “VBK” meanings (MIME type vs. Veeam backups)
Fix steps
- Verify that the .vbk is stored together with the related Veeam backup files from the same chain (including metadata and incrementals).
- If you relocated backups, move/copy the entire set of backup files together, keeping the same folder structure.
- After the files are placed together, rescan/import the backups from within the Veeam console.
OS-specific troubleshooting
What is a .VBK file?
A VBK file is the “full backup” file type used by Veeam products, storing a copy of the entire protected workload (for example, a full VM image). In Veeam Backup & Replication, VBK files are part of a backup chain alongside other Veeam files (for example, incremental files and metadata). The VBK format is proprietary, and there is no public specification intended for third-party parsers.
Background
Veeam uses .vbk as the on-disk representation of a full backup in its backup chains. In practical terms, a VBK is the baseline snapshot of protected data that later incremental backup files build upon, and it is managed by Veeam’s backup infrastructure.
In Veeam Backup & Replication, the user guides describe VBK as a full backup file containing copies of full VM images, written in Veeam proprietary format. Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows also produces VBK as the full backup file type.
Because the format is proprietary and designed for Veeam’s restore workflows, users typically interact with VBK files through Veeam’s UI (restore wizards, importing existing backups, or moving backup chains). When relocating or copying backups, Veeam emphasizes keeping the related chain files together (such as full backup, incrementals, and metadata), since a standalone VBK may not be sufficient for the restore scenario you need.
Other meanings of .VBK
The extension .VBK is used by several programs. Besides the file type described on this page, it can also stand for:
- VitalSource eBook
Further reading
Authoritative resources for more details on the .VBK format.
- Veeam Backup & Replication User Guide: Backup chain and backup files
- Veeam Backup & Replication Quick Start Guide: VM backup (VBK full backup is Veeam proprietary format)
- Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows User Guide: Types of backup files (VBK full backup)
- Veeam KB1729: How to Relocate Veeam Backup & Replication Backup Files (move VBK/VIB/VRB/VBM together)
- IANA Media Types Registry (includes audio/vnd.nortel.vbk)
- Veeam R&D Forums: VBK file format discussion (proprietary, no public format documentation)
Common .VBK issues
Restore fails because backup chain files were moved or copied incompletely
Veeam backups commonly consist of multiple files in a chain (for example, full backup, incrementals, and metadata). Moving only the .vbk can break the chain needed for restores or proper backup discovery.
- Verify that the .vbk is stored together with the related Veeam backup files from the same chain (including metadata and incrementals).
- If you relocated backups, move/copy the entire set of backup files together, keeping the same folder structure.
- After the files are placed together, rescan/import the backups from within the Veeam console.
Windows opens the file with the wrong application (or prompts to choose an app)
A .vbk is not a general-purpose document/media file, so file associations in Windows may be missing or incorrect.
- Do not try to open .vbk by double-clicking it as if it were a document.
- Open the relevant Veeam application and start a restore/import workflow, selecting the backup location that contains the .vbk.
Confusion with other “VBK” meanings (MIME type vs. Veeam backups)
IANA lists a media type containing “vbk” (audio/vnd.nortel.vbk), which can mislead users into thinking .vbk is an audio format. In most real-world desktop/server usage, .vbk commonly refers to Veeam full backups, not audio.
- Check where the file came from: if it came from Veeam Backup & Replication or Veeam Agent, treat it as a Veeam backup file.
- If you expected audio content, confirm the producing application/device; do not assume all .vbk files are interchangeable.
FAQ
Is a .vbk a full backup or an incremental backup?
In Veeam products, .vbk is the full backup file. Incremental backups are stored in other Veeam file types in the chain (depending on the backup method/configuration).
Can I extract files from a .vbk with a ZIP/RAR tool?
No. Veeam documentation describes VBK as being written in Veeam proprietary format and intended to be handled by Veeam restore workflows rather than general-purpose archive tools.
If I copy only the .vbk, is that enough to restore everything?
Not always. Veeam backup chains can include metadata and incremental files. Veeam’s guidance for relocating backup files emphasizes moving the full set of related files together (full backup, incrementals, and metadata).
Is there an official, public specification for the .vbk format?
Veeam documentation describes how VBK is used, but community discussion indicates the VBK format is proprietary and does not have public format documentation for third-party implementations.
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