Program information file

The file extension PIF ( Program Information File ) was introduced in IBM TopView and later in both Quarterdeck DESQview and in Microsoft Windows used to remember certain settings for running DOS programs (eg information on the parameters with which a program is about to start is to start that program, which memory settings should apply for the program, if the program as a pure DOS application (full view) or in the case of Microsoft Windows, whether it should be shown in a window under Windows and which font and to be size used in the window display ).

In Windows

PIF files are a relic from the MS -DOS time. They are similar to exe, com or bat files bootable, and are often listed among the executables. In the function (but not in its data structure ) they are similar to the link files ( shortcuts ). This property is, however, virus programmers misused to infect computers.