What is the NBF file format?
.nbf is a file archive that contains a data backup copy created with the NTI Backup NOW! tool (later rebranded as Backup Now EZ). An .nbf archive stores all files and folders selected for backup. NTI Backup NOW! is a proprietary Windows backup management tool developed by NTI Corporation (NewTech Infosystems), and the .nbf format is proprietary to NTI.
Large backups are typically split across multiple sequenced volumes named backup.001.nbf, backup.002.nbf, and so on; all volumes in a set must be kept together to restore successfully. Restoring is performed from within the NTI application's Restore panel - individual .nbf files cannot be browsed like ZIP archives from Windows Explorer.
Backup copy
Regular backups of vital data are one of the basic data protection methods. The simplest backup procedure is manually copying selected files to external storage devices. More advanced methods are offered by dedicated backup management tools, many of which are available both free and paid. Most offer functions such as:
- Backup copy scheduler
- Archiving copies to external storage devices
- Cloud synchronization (online backups)
- File versioning
- Backup copy templates
- System/disk backup
Users should choose a backup solution appropriate for their needs and operating system. It is also advisable to keep backup copies on an external device accessible from a different machine, in case the source system is unavailable.
Security & safety
RISK: MEDIUMThe data risk is loss, not malware: if any numbered volume in a split .nbf set is missing or corrupted, or you no longer have the exact NTI Backup Now version, the backup may be unrecoverable - keep the whole set and note which app and version created it. Avoid 'NBF recovery/opener' tools advertised on dubious sites; many are paid data-recovery upsells or PUPs. Use the original NTI software.
Format details
in a nutshell- Nokia Phone Backup File - Older Nokia PC Suite / phone tools also created .nbf backups of contacts and phone data - a separate, unrelated format.
- TurboTax backup file - Some Intuit TurboTax versions used .nbf for backup copies of tax returns.
Programs that open NBF files
Windows1 app
NTI Backup Now / Backup Now EZ
Paid Install NTI Backup Now, open it, go to the View/Restore panel and point it at the .nbf set to restore your files. Technical details
deep spec| Container | Proprietary NTI backup archive (binary, undocumented format) |
| Platform | Windows only |
| Compression | Proprietary; compression level selectable in NTI Backup NOW! settings |
| Encryption | Optional password-based encryption, configured when the backup job is created |
| Multi-volume support | Large backups split into numbered volumes (e.g., backup.001.nbf, backup.002.nbf); all volumes required for restore |
| Restore method | Via NTI application Restore panel; volumes cannot be opened or extracted directly |
| Typical size | Tens of MB to many GB per volume |
| Internal catalog | Embedded index of backed-up files and folder structure |
| Backup types | Full, incremental, and differential backups supported by NTI Backup NOW! |
| Byte order | Little-endian |
| Checksum/integrity | Internal verify pass offered by NTI software; no public checksum specification |
| Developer | NTI Corporation (NewTech Infosystems); Windows-only utility |
| Released | Early 2000s (NTI Backup NOW! / Backup Now EZ) |
| Latest version | NTI Backup Now EZ generation |
NBF conversions
Community Q&A
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