PCX File Extension
Paintbrush Bitmap Image Format
- File Type pcx
- Developer ZSoft
- Popularity
- Application Adobe Photoshop
- Category Dangerous Files, Raster Image Files
- Format Binary
What is a PCX file?
Paintbrush Bitmap Image Format files, recognized by the PCX extension, fall into the Dangerous Files and Raster Image Files categories, amounting to 661 files.
PCX file support extends to various operating systems, including Windows, Linux and Mac OS. If you need to view a PCX file, you can use one of 13 programs, such as FastStone Image Viewer, XnView and ACDSee Photo Manager.
MIME types
- application/x-pcx
- image/x-pcx
- image/pcx
- image/x-pc-paintbrush
- zz-application/zz-winassoc-pcx
- application/pcx
Programs that support PCX files
How to open a PCX file?
If you’re having difficulty opening a PCX file, it is often due to not having the correct software. To solve the problem, choose a compatible program from the list. Then follow the link to the official developer site, download the software, and install it on your device.
When it comes to opening and working with PCX files, FastStone Image Viewer, XnView and ACDSee Photo Manager are the top choices for users. If you need the newest version of Adobe Photoshop, just access the Adobe website. From there you can download the installer compatible with all systems.
Following installation, PCX files should be automatically opened with Adobe Photoshop.
Set Adobe Photoshop as the default PCX program
Changing Default Programs in Windows
- Right-click your PCX file, then navigate to the "Open With" option and click "Choose Another Application" to continue;
- In the pop-up window, select the Adobe Photoshop application;
- Check the "Always use this application" checkbox, and then click "OK" to apply the selected application as the default for opening PCX files.
Change Default Program on Mac
- Right click or Control + left click on the desired PCX file;
- Select "Open in application" and click "Other";
- Look at the bottom of the window, where you will see the "Enable" menu. "Recommended Programs" will be selected as the default option;
- Within this menu select "All Programs" and navigate to Adobe Photoshop. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make sure it’s the default option.
Solve problems with PCX files
When issues arise with PCX files, they can generally be fixed with small software tweaks. Use the troubleshooting tips below to help resolve them.
What can lead to sudden Adobe Photoshop crashes?
Adobe Photoshop crashes can occur due to outdated software versions. To mitigate this, install the latest updates for Adobe products.
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.
What is the recommended approach to repair a damaged PCX file?
Open the damaged PCX file with a recovery program, and then select the "Repair" menu item to start the repair process. Allow the recovery process to complete, which will automatically repair the damaged dangerous files.
What are the telltale signs of a corrupt PCX file?
Common indications of damaged PCX dangerous files are:
- Unexpected expansion of the total size of the PCX file;
- Opening the file in Adobe Photoshop or other programs causes them to hang or crash;
- Opening the file results in an error or a failed attempt;
- While working with the file, error messages appear;
- Editing the archive in Adobe Photoshop results in slow or unresponsive behavior;
How to edit a PCX file?
To edit PCX files, it is essential to install software that supports not only viewing but also editing the dangerous files. Online PCX editors provide limited functionality compared to full-featured software for Paintbrush Bitmap Image Format.
List of Top PCX editors 2026
Taking into account the provided details, we have prepared a list of PCX editors that match your needs.
| PCX Editor Software | Developer | Platforms | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| FastStone Image Viewer | FastStone Soft | Windows | 4.8 out of 5 (40 reviews) |
| Ability Photopaint | Ability Plus | Windows | 4.3 out of 5 (43 reviews) |
| Artweaver | Boris Eyrich | Windows | 4.3 out of 5 (41 review) |
| Adobe Photoshop | Adobe | Windows, Mac OS | 4.2 out of 5 (50 reviews) |
| PhotoFiltre Studio | Antonio Da Cruz | Windows | 4.2 out of 5 (47 reviews) |
Convert to and from PCX
If handling a PCX file is problematic, consider converting it to alternative formats such as JPG, JPEG, PDF, BMP, EMZ or other supported types.
Keep in mind that converting a PCX file may introduce some limitations, but the original format can often be restored.
Using offline applications such as Adobe Photoshop, FastStone Image Viewer and Picture Resize Genius, you can convert PCX files to various formats without losing data quality.