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PCV (.pcv)

.pcv file signature | application/octet-stream

PCV is a proprietary legacy file format maintained by its original software vendor for storing structured application data. It is typically used by specific desktop or industrial programs to preserve project settings, configuration records, or other program-specific assets. Because support is limited and the format is rarely documented, files should be opened only in trusted software; the format itself is generally low risk, but compatibility may be poor.

Safe

Magic Bytes

Offset 0
55 55 AA AA

Sources: Wikipedia

Extension

.pcv

MIME Type

application/octet-stream

Byte Offset

0

Risk Level

Safe

Validation Code

How to validate .pcv files in Python

Python 
def is_pcv(file_path: str) -> bool:
    """Check if file is a valid PCV by magic bytes."""
    signature = bytes([0x55, 0x55, 0xAA, 0xAA])
    with open(file_path, "rb") as f:
        return f.read(4) == signature

How to validate .pcv files in Node.js

Node.js 
function isPCV(buffer: Buffer): boolean {
  const signature = Buffer.from([0x55, 0x55, 0xAA, 0xAA]);
  return buffer.subarray(0, 4).equals(signature);
}

How to validate .pcv files in Go

Go 
func IsPCV(data []byte) bool {
    signature := []byte{0x55, 0x55, 0xAA, 0xAA}
    if len(data) < 4 {
        return false
    }
    return bytes.Equal(data[:4], signature)
}

API Endpoint

GET /api/v1/pcv
curl https://filesignature.org/api/v1/pcv

See the full API documentation for all endpoints and parameters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a .pcv file?

A .pcv file is identified by the magic bytes 55 55 AA AA at byte offset 0. PCV is a proprietary legacy file format maintained by its original software vendor for storing structured application data. It is typically used by specific desktop or industrial programs to preserve project settings, configuration records, or other program-specific assets. Because support is limited and the format is rarely documented, files should be opened only in trusted software; the format itself is generally low risk, but compatibility may be poor.

What are the magic bytes for .pcv files?

The magic bytes for PCV files are 55 55 AA AA at byte offset 0. These bytes uniquely identify the file format regardless of the file extension.

How do I validate a .pcv file?

To validate a .pcv file, read the first bytes of the file and compare them against the known magic bytes (55 55 AA AA) at offset 0. This is more reliable than checking the file extension alone, as extensions can be renamed.

What is the MIME type for .pcv files?

There is no officially registered MIME type for .pcv files. Systems typically use application/octet-stream as a generic fallback when handling this format.

Is it safe to open .pcv files?

PCV (.pcv) files are generally safe to open. They are classified as low risk because they primarily contain data rather than executable code. However, always ensure files come from a trusted source.