DAT file (.dat)
Also known as: .dat file, data file, generic dat
A DAT file (.dat) is a generic data file with no single fixed format — its meaning depends entirely on the app that created it. A .dat might hold app data, saved game state, mail attachments, or configuration, so what to do with one depends on its source.
- A generic data file with no fixed format
- Meaning depends entirely on the app that made it
- Risk to delete varies — app data versus stray temp file
Why .dat is ambiguous
Unlike .jpg or .pdf, the .dat extension does not describe the content — it just means "data." Each program decides what to store in its own .dat files, which is why one .dat opens fine in its app and another looks like meaningless characters in a text editor.
Common examples include app support files, game saves, and the `winmail.dat` attachment some email systems send. The only reliable way to know what a .dat is for is the app or folder it came from.
Should you delete it?
Be cautious. Because a .dat can be anything from disposable cache to important saved data, deleting one tied to an active app may corrupt that app’s data or lose progress. If it sits inside an app’s support folder, leave it alone.
A stray .dat in a temp or downloads folder is more likely to be safe to remove. When in doubt, move it aside rather than deleting it outright.