Windows Installer Patch (.msp)
.msp file signature | application/octet-stream
High Risk Format
This file type can contain executable code. Always validate source and scan with antivirus before opening.
Magic Bytes
Offset: 0
CF FA ED FE
Windows Installer Patch
Sources: Gary Kessler
All Known Signatures
2 signature variants are documented for .msp files across multiple sources.
| Hex Signature | Offset | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| CF FA ED FE | 0 | Gary Kessler |
| D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1 | 0 | Gary Kessler |
Validation Code
How to validate .msp files in Python
def is_msp(file_path: str) -> bool:
"""Check if file is a valid MSP by magic bytes."""
signature = bytes([0xCF, 0xFA, 0xED, 0xFE])
with open(file_path, "rb") as f:
return f.read(4) == signatureHow to validate .msp files in Node.js
function isMSP(buffer: Buffer): boolean {
const signature = Buffer.from([0xCF, 0xFA, 0xED, 0xFE]);
return buffer.subarray(0, 4).equals(signature);
}How to validate .msp files in Go
func IsMSP(data []byte) bool {
signature := []byte{0xCF, 0xFA, 0xED, 0xFE}
if len(data) < 4 {
return false
}
return bytes.Equal(data[:4], signature)
}API Endpoint
/api/v1/msp
curl https://filesignature.org/api/v1/msp
See the full API documentation for all endpoints and parameters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a .msp file?
A .msp file is a Windows Installer Patch file. Windows Installer Patch
What are the magic bytes for .msp files?
The magic bytes for Windows Installer Patch files are CF FA ED FE at byte offset 0. These bytes uniquely identify the file format regardless of the file extension.
How do I validate a .msp file?
To validate a .msp file, read the first bytes of the file and compare them against the known magic bytes (CF FA ED FE) at offset 0. This is more reliable than checking the file extension alone, as extensions can be renamed.
What is the MIME type for .msp files?
There is no officially registered MIME type for .msp files. Systems typically use application/octet-stream as a generic fallback when handling this format.
Is it safe to open .msp files?
Windows Installer Patch (.msp) files are high risk because they can contain executable code. Never open .msp files from untrusted sources. Always scan with antivirus software, verify the source, and consider running in a sandboxed environment.