PSP File Extension

PSP file icon

Paint Shop Pro Image Format

What is a PSP file?

Paint Shop Pro Image Format, identified by the PSP extension, is a Raster Image Files type and includes 575 files.

The Paint Shop Pro Image Format (PSP) was developed by Corel, which created file format and 27 programs to work with them.

PSP file support extends to various operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS and Linux. To view a PSP file, you can choose from 7 programs such as XnView, Canvas and ACDSee Photo Manager.

How to open a PSP file?

If you cannot open a PSP 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.

When it comes to opening and working with PSP files, XnView, Canvas and ACDSee Photo Manager are the top choices for users. If you want the most recent release of PaintShop Pro, head over to the Corel site and download the version designed to run on all platforms.

After installation, your operating system should automatically open PSP files with PaintShop Pro.

Setting PaintShop Pro as default PSP viewer

Changing Default Programs in Windows

  1. Right click on your PSP file, then select "Open with" and click "Choose another application";
  2. Choose PaintShop Pro from the available applications listed in the pop-up window to set it as the default application to open your PSP file;
  3. Be sure to check the "Always use this app" checkbox, and then click "OK" to confirm your selection.

Change the default app for a file type in Mac

  1. Initiate a right click or use Control + left click on the desired PSP file to open a menu where you can select various actions;
  2. Select "Open in application" and click "Other";
  3. Next, at the bottom of the window, you will see the "Enable" menu, in which "Recommended Programs" is selected by default;
  4. In this menu, select "All Programs", then find PaintShop Pro and check the box next to "Always open in the application."

Tips and tricks to solve problems with PSP files

There are some common issues with PSP files that can be resolved easily by making minor adjustments to your software. Below, you’ll find these issues along with practical troubleshooting tips.

What Causes PaintShop Pro to Crash Frequently?

The likely cause of PaintShop Pro crashing is lack of software updates. Install the latest updates available for Corel products.

Restarting your computer is an essential troubleshooting step that can resolve many common problems. It is recommended to restart your computer before making any changes to the software settings.

How can I restore a damaged PSP file?

Open the corrupted PSP file in a recovery program and select the "Repair" menu item. Wait for the recovery process to finish, as it will automatically repair damaged raster image files.

How do I know if my PSP file is corrupted?

Common indications of damaged PSP raster image files are:

  • The file shows errors when trying to open it or does not open completely;
  • Editing the archive in PaintShop Pro results in slow or unresponsive behavior;
  • Opening or processing the file in PaintShop Pro or other programs causes instability or crashes in the program;
  • Unexpected expansion of the total size of the PSP file;
  • Error messages appear while working with the file;

How to edit a PSP file?

To edit PSP files, it is essential to install software that supports not only viewing but also editing the raster image files. Online PSP editors provide limited functionality compared to full-featured software for Paint Shop Pro Image Format.

List of Top PSP editors 2026

Based on these criteria, we have prepared a list of available PSP editors.

PSP Editor SoftwareDeveloperPlatformsOverall Rating
PaintShop ProCorelWindows4.6 out of 5 (41 review)
PhotoPlusSerif EuropeWindows4.5 out of 5 (34 reviews)
PhotoFiltre StudioAntonio Da CruzWindows4.3 out of 5 (44 reviews)
CorelDraw Graphics SuiteCorelWindows4.1 out of 5 (33 reviews)

Convert to and from PSP

If working with a PSP file is challenging, one solution is to convert it to formats like JPG, JPEG, PDF, PSPIMAGE or other supported formats.

Keep in mind that converting a PSP file may introduce some limitations, but the original format can often be restored.

Convert PSP to other file formats

Converting Files to PSP Format