.CAT

Advanced Disk Catalog Database

📌 One more optional definition of the .CAT file standard conforms to an internal catalog of data from various media types including JAZ and ZIP discs, optical carriers (Blu-rays, DVDs, CDs, etc.), floppy disks, network drives, hard drives, etc. Particularly, the actual .CAT data extension assignment serves for opening up and keeping track of digital data stored and embedded within a collection of media.

Windows Catalog File

📌 This certain .CAT file principle is reserved by the Windows operating system for internal purposes. Precisely, the following .CAT approach informs and recognizes whether a designated group of file entries were received and retrieved from a verifiable and trusted source. Particularly, the following .CAT format specification is applied for security purposes and includes an effective date, the catalog revision, and embedded digital signature for verification of the content validity and correctness. Quite frequently, the noted .CAT file format approach is utilized for opening up and verifying new, fresh software update resources. As a rule, the Windows catalog entries assist to suppress multiple trust dialog popups for new or recent download of fresh software components. As long as .CAT file methodology can identify a trusted, reliable source for data retrieval and transfer, the user may choose the “Always trust content” option from the software distributor to conveniently operate with the obtained data. After that, all of the consequent downloads from the software distributor that rely on the .CAT file format logic are verified as trusted and would not require a trust popup form for any miscellaneous decision-making.

How to open an .CAT file?

📌 The .CAT data items can be opened, explored, monitored, and sustained internally by Microsoft Windows shell. This sub-branch of .CAT object samples is applied for security purposes and includes a digital signature for content verification. Besides, it is possible that pinpoint .CAT file elements and nodes are extracted and retrieved by Elcomsoft Advanced Disk Catalog utility, which suggests availability of .CAT covered catalog with diverse data from various media types including storage disks, optical devices, floppies, network media, etc. The latter clause of file catalog utilization is employed for tracking of information stored within a precise collection of media.