What is a FBC file?
An .FBC file is most commonly a backup file created by Family Tree Maker. These files contain compressed copies of family history data, including names, dates, and media. Historically, this format includes the Family Tree Maker for DOS Backup File, which was originally connected to Ancestry.com.
However, the .FBC extension is not strictly limited to genealogy software. It can also represent a system backup file for Fronius welding systems, which relies on standard GZIP compression, or an RCU data file. Because there are multiple possible meanings, it is important to verify the file origin before trying to open it.
How to open FBC files?
If your .FBC file is a family tree backup, you must use the restore function inside Family Tree Maker to open the database. For Fronius welding backups, you can often extract the contents using standard archive utilities like 7-Zip since the file uses GZIP compression. You can also deploy command-line tools like `gzip -d` or `tar` to inspect these specific archives.
Inspecting FBC files online
Because an .FBC file has multiple possible meanings, it is not always obvious which software you need. We recommend using viewer.online/fbc to analyze .FBC files to identify the exact format and creator software, inspect the file structure, extract readable text, and check whether an online preview is available. This helps you figure out if you are dealing with a genealogy backup or an industrial system file.
Summary
In summary, viewer.online/fbc is useful for identifying, inspecting, and understanding .FBC files without installing software or dealing with compatibility problems.