Windows
Compatible applications
Quick Facts
Basic information about this file format
Extension
.MPQ
File Type
MoPaQ Archive
Category
Archive
Best first step
Use compatible software
Quick Summary
A practical overview of the .mpq file format
The MPQ (MoPaQ) file format is a proprietary archive format developed by Mike O'Brien, a co-founder of ArenaNet and a former developer at Blizzard Entertainment. It was primarily used by Blizzard Entertainment for their major game titles, including Diablo, StarCraft, Warcraft III, and World of Warc…
File extension
.MPQ
File type
MoPaQ Archive
Category
Archive
Recommended action
Open with a trusted compatible app
How to open a .mpq file
Start with a trusted app that supports this format
- Check the file extension carefully and confirm that the file name really ends with .mpq.
- Use software that supports this file type. If one app does not work, try another compatible program for the same platform.
- Update the application if the file was created by a newer version of the software.
- Scan files from unknown sources before opening them, especially documents, archives, scripts, installers, and executable files.
What is a .mpq file?
File extension details and usage information
The MPQ (MoPaQ) file format is a proprietary archive format developed by Mike O'Brien, a co-founder of ArenaNet and a former developer at Blizzard Entertainment. It was primarily used by Blizzard Entertainment for their major game titles, including Diablo, StarCraft, Warcraft III, and World of Warcraft, until it was eventually succeeded by the CASC format. MPQ files are designed to store game assets such as graphics, sounds, music, and level data in a compressed and indexed manner. The format supports various advanced features like multiple data compression algorithms (including PKWARE, zlib, bzip2, and LZMA), encryption, and digital signatures to ensure data integrity and security. Because these archives often contain thousands of individual files, the format utilizes a sophisticated hash table system for fast file lookups, which is crucial for maintaining game performance during real-time asset loading. The modding community has extensively documented and created specialized tools for the MPQ format to extract assets or create custom game content. Its architecture also allows for efficient patching by appending data to the end of the file, making it highly suitable for the large-scale game updates common in the early 2000s.
Software Compatibility
Programs that may open or work with .mpq files
macOS
Compatible applications
Linux
Compatible applications
Mobile
Mobile applications
No specific software is listed for this platform yet. Try checking the file source, identifying the original application, or using a trusted universal file viewer when appropriate.
Can .mpq files be converted?
Options for saving or exporting this file to another format
In many cases, a .mpq file can be converted by opening it in compatible software and using an option such as Save As, Export, or Convert. The available output formats depend on the file type and the application used.
- Use the original software that created the file when possible.
- Check whether the application supports exporting to common formats.
- Be careful with online converters when working with private, business, or sensitive files.
- If conversion fails, the file may be corrupted, incomplete, encrypted, or not actually a .mpq file.
Why can't I open a .mpq file?
Common reasons this file type may not open correctly
Wrong software
The file may require a specific program that supports the .mpq format.
Incorrect extension
The file extension may have been renamed manually, even though the actual file format is different.
Corrupted file
The file may be incomplete, damaged during download, or transferred incorrectly.
Outdated app
Your software may need to be updated before it can open newer versions of this file format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about .mpq files
To open a .mpq file, use software that supports this file format.
- MPQEditor
- WinMPQ
- StormLib
- Ladera
- MPQExtractor
Open the file in compatible software and look for options such as Save As, Export, or Convert. If no export option is available, the file may require a specialized converter or the original application that created it.
- Verify that the file extension is correct.
- Install or update compatible software.
- Try another application that supports this format.
- Check whether the file is corrupted, incomplete, or encrypted.
A file extension alone does not guarantee whether a file is safe or unsafe. Only open files from trusted sources, scan unknown files before opening them, and be especially careful with executable, script, archive, and document files.
File safety tips
Use caution with unknown files
Only open files from trusted sources. Before opening a .mpq file, scan it with antivirus software, verify that the file extension is expected, and avoid running unknown executable, installer, macro-enabled document, or script files.