What is the SQM file format?
.sqm files are XML-based telemetry data files generated automatically by the Windows SQM Client - the Software Quality Metrics component of Microsoft's Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP). Each file aggregates usage counts, error codes, and performance counters collected from a running Windows session or application.
.sqm files allow Microsoft to trace application behavior and address system performance issues. They are generated by various Microsoft applications - Microsoft Office, Windows Live Messenger, and Internet Explorer, for example. By default, .sqm files are saved on the system drive inside C:\ProgramData\ or a temporary folder, before being transmitted to Microsoft's telemetry servers. Data acquired from monitored clients can be used to identify crashes, speed up applications, and prioritize fixes.
The files are plain XML text and contain no personal data - only anonymous usage statistics, timing measurements, and error identifiers.
On modern Windows 10 and 11, the SQM mechanism has been superseded by the DiagTrack service. Encountering .sqm files today typically indicates residual artifacts from Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8-era installations.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWSQM files are passive XML text files with no executable content. They cannot run code. Microsoft states they contain no personal data - only anonymous usage statistics. They can be safely deleted. Privacy concern is minimal: data was already transmitted to Microsoft if CEIP was active; residual .sqm files are queued/archived copies. No known malware uses the .sqm extension as a vector.
Format details
in a nutshell- Arma 3 / Bohemia Interactive Mission Scenario file - Bohemia Interactive uses .sqm for Arma 3 and Operation Flashpoint mission definition files - a text-based game scenario format entirely unrelated to Microsoft telemetry.
Programs that open SQM files
Windows2 apps
Microsoft Windows (Notepad / any text editor)
Built-in Right-click the .sqm file > Open with > Notepad. The XML content is human-readable but contains technical telemetry data, not useful to end users.
Microsoft Office (context)
Paid Office generates .sqm files as telemetry; it does not open them. The association in db is misleading - Office creates them, not reads them. Technical details
deep spec| Format type | XML text (plain-text telemetry data) |
| MIME type | text/xml |
| Text encoding | UTF-8 or UTF-16 LE (Windows XML convention) |
| Compression | None (uncompressed XML) |
| Encryption | None; transmission to Microsoft servers uses HTTPS |
| Typical file size | 1 KB - 500 KB |
| File identifier | XML declaration (<?xml) or root element at byte offset 0; no proprietary magic bytes |
| Protocol specification | MS-SQMCS (Microsoft Open Specifications) |
| Default storage path | C:\ProgramData\ subdirectories or system %TEMP% folders |
| Transmission endpoint | sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com (HTTPS) |
| Generating applications | Windows SQM Client, Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Windows Live Messenger |
| Supported Windows versions | Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, and early Windows 10 builds |
| Content type | Anonymous product usage counts, error/crash codes, performance timing; no personal data |
| Superseded by | Windows Diagnostic Data via DiagTrack (Connected User Experiences and Telemetry) service in Windows 10/11 |
| Released | circa Windows Vista/Office 2007 era (mid-2000s); protocol documented as MS-SQMCS |
| Latest version | Legacy - SQM was replaced by Windows Diagnostic Data/CEIP telemetry pipeline; .sqm files are no longer actively generated on modern Windows 10/11 builds |
| Specification | learn.microsoft.com |
SQM conversions
Community Q&A
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