File Extension Database

Open VCF File

File extension VCF is commonly associated to electronic business cards usually sent through emails. Also referred to as vCards or VersitCard, the form contains personal information (e.g. first name, photo, birth date, email, logo, title, and role) of a sender. Files written with this extension can be used on multi-platform such as Mac, Linux, and Windows.

The idea of vCard was coined in 1995 by Versit consortium. The consortium is composed of big names in the industry including Apple Computers, IBM, Siemens, and AT&T Technologies. vCard was later acquired by Internet Mail Consortium in 1996 and was developed to meet the standards of advance computing.

Information that needs not to be included in an email can be added as attachments by using VCF format. Sending electronic business cards is not only possible through the Internet. It can also be used through Bluetooth. By using vCard, storing, importing, and exporting of business cards are made easy and reliable.

As an entity full of information, VCF files are favorite resources for worms and viruses that spread through email. These maliciously coded programs seek VCF files along with other file types to harvest information on their next victim. Some well known worms and viruses that used files with this extension to exploit information include variants of the Sober virus which was first seen in October of 2003.

Though the first forms of the email worm, Sober, did not specifically target VCF files, succeeding forms of the worm did contain scripts to locate for files containing information that can possibly be used to spread the worm including VCF files. Hundreds of other worms and viruses perform similar task on Windows systems.

Files with this extension can be used on most email and address book managing applications. This includes applications Apple Address Book, Microsoft Entourage, Eudora Mail, Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, and several other email clients.

Typical VCF application file locations:

C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~2\Office12\OUTLOOK.EXE /v "%1"
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\OUTLOOK.EXE" /v "%1"

Typical VCF mime types:

text/x-vcard

Frequently used application names to open VCF files:

Microsoft Office - Office14

Frequently associated Windows objects:

Outlook.File.vcf
Outlook.File.vcf.14

How Can I Open VCF File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open VCF file is to find a VCF file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a VCF file is not opened in an application and you instead get a "Windows can't open a file" error message you should try looking for an application which can open the file in question.
If you know the application which can open VCF file then run it and see if there is a File->Open main menu option in the application.
If you don't know the application which function as VCF file opener then try to search online for "VCF viewer", "application to open VCF file" or "open VCF file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open VCF file

How Can I Open VCF File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a VCF file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a VCF file is not opened in a Mac OS application and you instead get a "There is no application set to open the file" error message you can click on "Search App Store" in the error dialog and Mac OS will show you applications compatible with VCF file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as VCF file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open VCF file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open VCF file then try to search for "VCF viewer", "application to open VCF file" or "read VCF file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read VCF file

How Can I Open VCF File on Android

If you downloaded a VCF file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

In the Android apps list on your Android device find "My Files" or "File manager" app and tap to start it.
Tap on "Downloads" folder inside the app.
You should see your downloaded VCF file in that folder.
Tap on the file. If Android device supports opening the file you downloaded it will open in the corresponding app.
If file does not open you can look for the corresponding app that can open the file by searching Android App Store for the "VCF".
If you cannot open the file with the apps from Android App Store it is possible that the file could only be opened on desktop platforms such as Windows or Mac OS. Try searching for "VCF viewer", "VCF file reader" online and see if any desktop applications can open it.
It is also possible that the file you downloaded is outdated and is no longer supported.

How to Open VCF File on iPhone or iPad

To open VCF File on iOS device follow steps below:

We advies to open Files app on your iPhone or iPad device. You can find it by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
Tap on the Downloads folder on the Files app home screen.
You will see all files that you recently downloaded. Tap on the VCF file to view it.
If you have the right app that can open it it will automatically launch and open your file.
If you don't have the app which can open it you need to serch Apple app store for "VCF". This way you can find apps which can open VCF files.
If this doesn't help it is possible that your file could be opened only by the desktop application. To find an app which can open it on desktop look for "VCF viewer" or "VCF file" online in your favorite search engine.

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