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!

empty icon.vpk - EverQuest II game archive

empty icon.vpk - Verge pack

empty icon.vpk - Titanfall game archive

Detailed description

Software that open vpk file

Add comment

VPK file extension - Steam NCF Valve Pak archive

What is vpk file? How to open vpk files?

File type specification:

Game file type icon Game file type

vpk file icon: vpk filetype 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)\​SteamApps\​common\​game\​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: November 30, 2023

The default software associated to open vpk file:

Source SDK icon

Valve Corporation logoSource SDK  Microsoft Windows software

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.

Half-Life 2 icon

Valve Corporation logoHalf-Life 2  Microsoft Windows software

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.

GCFScape picture or screenshot

Valve Corporation logoGCFScape  Microsoft Windows software

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:

VPK file format

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:

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

Apple macOS / Mac OS X:

Previous file extension
VPCACHE file extension

File-Extensions.org > Game file types

Next file extension
file extension VPK

 

Enter any file extension without dot (e.g. pdf)
Search for file extension details and associated application(s)

RSS feed