BMC File – What is .bmc file and how to open it?
BMC File Extension
Bitmap Cache File – file format by Microsoft
The BMC (Bitmap Cache File) file extension is an intermediary file used by Microsoft Windows to store copies of frequently used bitmaps. It allows faster access to the bitmaps, improving the performance of applications that heavily rely on graphical user interfaces.
BMC File Overview
A BMC file is a Bitmap Cache File utilized by Microsoft Windows to store cached bitmap images. It is created automatically by the system when a user opens or views an image for the first time. The purpose of a BMC file is to provide faster access to frequently used images by storing them in a compressed format within a temporary cache. This cached image can be quickly loaded and displayed instead of having to reload the original file, resulting in improved performance and responsiveness when opening and navigating through image-intensive applications or websites.
Technical Details
BMC files are stored in a proprietary binary format designed by Microsoft. They typically consist of a header section that contains information about the cached image, such as its size, color depth, and compression method. The remaining portion of the file contains the compressed image data. BMC files are usually compressed using a lossless compression algorithm, which preserves the image quality without introducing any degradation. This ensures that the cached image remains visually identical to the original file. BMC files are generally stored in a temporary cache directory on the local storage device and are deleted automatically when the system no longer requires them. However, the user may also manually delete BMC files if desired.
Opening BMC Files
A BMC file is a bitmap cache file that stores a compressed version of an image used by Microsoft Windows. To open a BMC file, you will need a program that is compatible with this file format. One such program is the Microsoft Windows Image Viewer, which is included with all versions of Windows.
Steps to Open a BMC File:
- Right-click on the BMC file and select “Open With.”
- If the Windows Image Viewer is not listed, click on “Choose another app.”
- Navigate to the Windows Image Viewer and select it.
- The BMC file will open in the Windows Image Viewer.
Alternative Programs
In addition to the Windows Image Viewer, there are several other programs that can open BMC files. Some popular options include:
- GIMP: A free and open-source image editing program.
- Paint.NET: A free and easy-to-use image editing program.
- IrfanView: A lightweight and fast image viewer.
BMC File Format
A BMC file is a bitmap cache file used by Windows to speed up the display of frequently accessed bitmaps. When a bitmap is first loaded, Windows creates a BMC file that stores a copy of the bitmap in memory. The next time the bitmap is needed, Windows can load it directly from the BMC file instead of having to load it from the original file. This can significantly improve performance, especially for bitmaps that are used repeatedly.
BMC files are typically stored in the %systemroot%\system32\cache folder. They are usually hidden from view, but you can make them visible by enabling the “Show hidden files and folders” option in Windows Explorer. BMC files are not intended to be opened or edited by users. If you delete a BMC file, Windows will automatically recreate it the next time the corresponding bitmap is loaded.