.bad file extension

.bad

1. A generic file extension used to indicate a bad or corrupt file. Often (but not always) this is a file of a different type which has had the file extension renamed to .bad or had a .bad file extension appended.

2. A non-delivered email. A .bad file is an email file that the Windows SMTP server has been unable to deliver.

Whilst each virtual SMTP server generates .bad message in its own separate Badmail folder, these .bad files are typically located in:

C:\Program Files\Exchsrvr\Mailroot\vsi 1\BadMail

On systems running Microsoft Exchange server.

C:\Inetpub\mailroot\Badmail

On Windows systems not running Exchange server.

For each .bad file in the Badmail folder there will be a corresponding .bdp and .bdr file. The .bad, .bdp and .bdr files can be deleted (but this will obviously lose the information they contain).

The .bad file is a renamed .eml file, and its content may be viewed by renaming to to .eml and then opening it using a suitable email client.

For more information see:

• http://support.microsoft.com/?id=867642 - Article from Microsoft on how to automatically delete messages in the Badmail folder in Exchange 2000 and 2003, using BadMailAdmin.exe.

Can you add to this? Do you know of any applications not already listed which will work with .bad files, view .bad files or open .bad files? Are you able to contribute any additional reference information or file format information about .bad files or have you spotted any errors or omissions? If so please let us know by emailing us at feedback@cryer.co.uk - Thank you.