ESF File Extension

Total War Campaign Settings
- File Type esf
- Developer The Creative Assembly
- Popularity
- Application EditSF
- Category Game Files
- Format Binary
What is a ESF file?
The ESF extension is related to Total War Campaign Settings and is classified in the Game Files category, which contains 1265 files.
The Total War Campaign Settings (ESF) was developed by Creative Assembly, which created file format and 3 programs to work with them.
ESF files are supported by Windows, Mac OS and Linux. To open a ESF file, you can choose from 4 programs such as EditSF, Total War: ATTILA and Total War: Rome II.
Programs that support ESF files
How to open a ESF file?
If you cannot open a ESF file, it is most often due to missing software. Select a program from the list according to your operating system. Then go to the official website of the program developer, download it, and install it on your device.
EditSF, Total War: ATTILA and Total War: Rome II stand out as the preferred programs to manage ESF files effectively. To install the current version of EditSF, go directly to the official daniu website. The universal package for all operating systems is available there.
After successful installation, your operating system should seamlessly handle ESF files via EditSF.
Set EditSF as the default ESF program
Change Default Program on Mac
- Right click or Control + left click on the desired ESF file;
- Choose "Open in Application" and click "Other";
- Go to the lower section of the window, where you will find the "Enable" menu. By default, it is set to "Recommended Programs";
- Select "All Programs" from this menu and proceed to search for EditSF. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to set it as the default option.
Set default programs for Windows
- Start by right-clicking on your ESF file, then select the "Open with" option and choose "Choose another app" from the menu that appears;
- In the pop-up window, select the EditSF application;
- Check the "Always use this application" checkbox, and then click "OK" to apply the selected application as the default for opening ESF files.
Solve problems with ESF files
ESF files may present some challenges, but most can be easily addressed with minor software tweaks. See the troubleshooting tips below for guidance.
What are the ways to check if my ESF file is damaged?
ESF game files that have become corrupted may display one or more of the following symptoms:
- The file does not respond or shows errors when opening it;
- The file exhibits poor performance during editing operations in EditSF;
- The file stops responding or freezes in EditSF or other programs;
- Unexplained ESF file size inflation;
- Actions performed on the file result in the appearance of error notifications;
Why does EditSF crash or shut down frequently?
Insufficient updates for daniu products can cause EditSF to crash. Be sure to regularly install the latest software updates.
Restarting your computer will solve many common problems, which is why it’s the first thing you should do before changing any settings related to the software.
Is there any specific software or utility that can help repair a damaged ESF file?
Use a recovery program to open the damaged ESF file, and in the menu, click "Repair" to start the repair operation. Wait for the recovery process to finish, allowing automatic repair of damaged game files.
How to edit a ESF file?
To make changes to ESF files, you need specialized software that allows both opening and editing the game files. Online ESF editors offer fewer capabilities than applications optimized for Total War Campaign Settings.
Best ESF Editor Software in 2026
With the mentioned criteria in mind, we have assembled a selection of ESF editors.
| ESF Editor Software | Developer | Platforms | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| EditSF | daniu | Windows | 4.8 out of 5 (43 reviews) |







