What is the DLC file format?
A .dlc file is an encrypted container used to store a list of download links for use with download managers. The DLC (Download Link Container) format was developed by AppWork GmbH as part of the JDownloader project, a platform-independent application written in Java. .dlc files contain an encrypted list of download URLs to be queued and downloaded by the application.
A single .dlc can store many links to files that can be downloaded from file-hosting services. Sharing links using .dlc containers is easy and very convenient - a single container can list thousands of URLs across multiple download packages.
Internally, a .dlc file is a Base64-encoded block of text wrapping an AES-encrypted XML payload. The payload organizes links into <package> and <file> nodes. Unlike simpler link containers such as .ccf or .rsdf, .dlc uses a server-assisted key exchange: the AES key is appended to the file in encrypted form and must be recrypted by the DLC web service before JDownloader can decrypt the URLs. In order to access a .dlc container, the application must contact the DLC key server online. Encryption prevents unauthorized access to DLC data, but it also means that if the key server goes offline, older .dlc files can become permanently undecryptable.
Security & safety
RISK: MEDIUMThe .dlc file itself is just encrypted URLs and runs no code, so the container is not directly dangerous. The real risk is what it links to: DLC containers circulated on warez/filehosting sites frequently point at pirated content, adware-laden hosters, or malware downloads. Decryption also leaks information - importing a .dlc contacts the DLC key service and then the linked hosts. Treat unknown .dlc files with the same caution as any unsolicited download list; scan whatever they fetch, and be aware much DLC-shared content is copyright-infringing.
Format details
in a nutshell- Game downloadable content (DLC) packages - Many games name add-on content packs .dlc in their own proprietary layout; opened only by that game, not by JDownloader.
- 3ds Max animation controller (.dlc) - Legacy Autodesk 3D Studio Max saved animation controller data as .dlc - the obsolete meaning the database recorded.
- Delphi / dev tooling component libraries - A few development tools wrote .dlc component-library files unrelated to downloads.
Programs that open DLC files
Windows2 apps
pyLoad
Open-source Add the .dlc via the web UI; pyLoad's DLC plugin decrypts via the service and queues the links.
JDownloader 2
Free Copy the .dlc to the clipboard or use File > Load DLC Container; JDownloader decrypts it online and adds the links to LinkGrabber. Free (Java). 
macOS1 app
JDownloader 2
Free Load the .dlc (File > Load DLC Container) or paste it; runs on the Java runtime. Free. 
Linux2 apps
Technical details
deep spec| File encoding | Base64 ASCII wrapping an AES-encrypted XML payload |
| Internal XML structure | <dlc> root with <package> and <file><url> child nodes |
| Encryption algorithm | AES with a per-file key appended in encrypted form |
| Key exchange mechanism | Server-assisted - encrypted AES key is recrypted by the DLC web service; decryption requires an online connection |
| MIME type | application/octet-stream |
| Typical file size | 1 KB - 50 KB (stores only URLs and metadata, not actual file data) |
| File signature (magic bytes) | None - body is printable Base64 ASCII; no fixed binary header |
| URL capacity | No fixed limit; a single .dlc can reference thousands of download URLs |
| Platform support | Windows, macOS, Linux (wherever JDownloader runs on Java) |
| Developer | AppWork GmbH (JDownloader project) |
| Primary application | JDownloader 2; also supported by pyLoad |
| Related formats | .ccf, .rsdf, .crawljob (alternative download link container formats) |
| Key server dependency | Files become permanently undecryptable if the DLC key server is offline |
| Content stored | Download URLs and package metadata only - not the referenced files themselves |
| Released | circa 2009 (JDownloader / linkcrypt era) |
| Latest version | DLC online decryption service (server-side key recryption) |
| Specification | jdownloader.org |
DLC conversions
Community Q&A
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