SquashFS bootable file
File type: Archive and compressed file
A file with the sqfs file extension is a SquashFS filesystem image used by Linux bootable systems.
It contains a compressed, read-only filesystem that Linux can use as a root filesystem or as part of bootable media.
File type category:
Archive and compressed file
Date updated: October 9, 2026
SquashFS is a compressed, read-only filesystem for Linux and other Unix-like systems. A sqfs file stores a filesystem tree, including files, directories and filesystem metadata, in a compact image.
Bootable Linux systems can use the image as a read-only root filesystem or as a component of live and embedded systems. SquashFS is also suitable for general read-only storage and software distribution where low storage or memory overhead is useful.
The format remains in use on Linux. The image is normally created with the SquashFS mksquashfs tool and extracted with unsquashfs; Linux kernel support allows it to be mounted when the required support is available.
A sqfs file is not normally opened as a document. On Linux or another Unix-like system, use unsquashfs to extract its contents, or mount it as a read-only filesystem with loop-device support and SquashFS support enabled.
To use it as a bootable image, the bootloader and the operating system's boot configuration must support the particular image. Opening or booting the file directly is therefore normally part of a Linux distribution or embedded-system setup.
SquashFS images do not have a usual document-style conversion format. Their contents can be extracted with unsquashfs and copied into another filesystem or archive.
To make a new SquashFS image after changing the contents, use mksquashfs. The resulting image may need additional boot configuration to remain usable as bootable media.
Software applications that can open sqfs files:
Linux/Unix
Software apps that create sqfs files:
Linux/Unix
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