What is the DPF file format?
A .dpf file is a plain-text policy configuration file used by F-Secure (rebranded as WithSecure for its corporate division in 2022) endpoint security products and the F-Secure Policy Manager centralized management platform. Each installed product component - antivirus engine, firewall module, patch management agent - installs its own .dpf file containing factory-default values for all configurable parameters.
The file uses an INI-style key=value format, with entries grouped by product component. Settings include update intervals, event logging verbosity, scan schedules, and user access restrictions. The .dpf file occupies the lowest tier in the F-Secure policy layering hierarchy:
- Default Policy (
.dpf) - factory defaults, lowest precedence - Incremental Policy (
.ipf) - delta overrides above defaults - Base Policy (
.bpf) - centrally pushed settings, highest precedence
When Policy Manager applies settings to a managed endpoint, effective values are resolved by layering these files in order. Administrators interact exclusively through the Policy Manager console or WithSecure Elements portal; direct editing of .dpf files is not recommended and changes may be overwritten by product updates or reinstallations.
.dpf files are generated automatically by the product installer and are internal system files - end users never create or directly interact with them.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWPlain text configuration file; not executable. Modifying .dpf files directly can cause unexpected security product behavior, but the file itself poses no risk to open.
Format details
in a nutshell- Delphi Project File (older Borland Delphi) - Some older Borland/Inprise Delphi versions used .dpf for deployment project files; rarely encountered today.
- DigiDesign (Avid) Pro Tools DPF - Some Pro Tools versions produced .dpf display preference files; unrelated to F-Secure.
Programs that open DPF files
Windows3 apps
Windows Notepad
Built-in Right-click the .dpf file → Open with → Notepad to read the plain-text key=value contents. 
Notepad
Open-source Open file directly for syntax-highlighted viewing; use Find to locate specific parameters. 
F-Secure Internet Security / WithSecure Elements
Paid The security product reads .dpf files automatically as part of policy enforcement - no manual opening needed. Administration is via the Policy Manager web console. Technical details
deep spec| Format | INI-style key=value plain text |
| Policy tier | Lowest precedence - factory defaults; overridden by .ipf (Incremental) then .bpf (Base Policy) |
| Companion files | .ipf (Incremental Policy File) and .bpf (Base Policy File) form the complete policy stack |
| Encoding | ANSI/Latin-1 or UTF-8 (varies by product version) |
| Authoring | Auto-generated by F-Secure/WithSecure product installer; never created manually |
| Scope | One .dpf per installed product component (AV engine, firewall, patch management, etc.) |
| Management platform | F-Secure Policy Manager / WithSecure Elements console (only recommended editing interface) |
| Direct editing | Not recommended - overwritten by product updates and reinstallations |
| Platform | Windows |
| Rebranding note | F-Secure Corporate rebranded as WithSecure in 2022; policy file mechanism unchanged |
| Typical size | 1 KB - 100 KB |
| Magic bytes | None - plain text; may begin with a comment header or directly with key=value pairs |
| Released | early 2000s (F-Secure Policy Manager era) |
| Latest version | current F-Secure/WithSecure Policy Manager (version 13+ as of 2024) |
| Specification | help.f-secure.com |
DPF conversions
Community Q&A
asked by usersNo questions yet - be the first to ask about DPF files.
