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The GCF/NCF Files tab lists the available GCF/NCF files existing in the GCF/NCF storage folder. It also allows to manage these files using the contextual menu.


The list can be ordered by :

  • File name
  • Size
  • Version
  • Completion
  • Information
  • Current operation

The GCF/NCF files

What are the listed files


The Steam network Games/Media/Files are saved on the user's computer using Cache Files. Two kinds of Cache Files currently exist:

  • GCF files - Game Cache Files : A virtual file system container.
  • NCF files - New Cache Files : A physical file system descriptor combined with a so called "common" folder.

These files are described in the CDR which tells what the latest version of each file is. To be up to date, a file must have the same version as the one from the CDR. Files with an anterior version number are called outdated and must be updated using the download features or patches.

If an existing file in the GCF/NCF storage folder is not listed, it could be for different reasons :

  • The GCF/NCF file has been updated outside of CF Toolbox, or with a patch, and its version number is now superior to the one from the stored CDR. This means that it is important to update the CDR using the Preferences tab.
  • The GCF/NCF file name is different from the expected one described in the CDR. It may then be needed to update the CDR.
  • The GCF/NCF file headers are corrupted, or the file format is not supported.

For each GCF/NCF file, the following information is available:

  • The GCF/NCF file name. NCF files' content is stored in a common subfolder of the GCF/NCF storage folder.
  • The GCF/NCF file size, including the common folder files for NCF files.
  • The local The GCF/NCF file version.
  • The GCF/NCF file completion. An up to date GCF/NCF file is listed as 100.00%. If a GCF/NCF file's completion is less than 100%, it means that its content is not entirely downloaded. If a local GCF/NCF file's version is anterior to the CDR version, it is displayed as outdated.
  • The information field gives the result of the latest executed task. For some operations such as the validation, more details can be found in the Logs tab.
  • The current operation performed on the GCF/NCF file.

Detailed information concerning the GCF/NCF files is available using the Properties function of the contextual menu.

All the operations described below are accessible from the contextual menu, by selecting one or more GCF/NCF files to be processed.

Only one operation can be executed at a time on a GCF/NCF file. If needed, the currently running operation can be interrupted using the stop task function of the contextual menu.

A specific function can be associated to the double-click on a GCF/NCF file in the Preferences tab.

A GCF/NCF file (including NCF files common folder) can be deleted using the Delete function of the contextual menu. Be aware that a GCF/NCF file can be used by more than one Game/Media/Tool.

GCF/NCF files properties

Detailed information about the GCF/NCF files.




The GCF/NCF file properties popup gives detailed information about a GCF/NCF file, such as:

  • The GCF/NCF file access pass.
  • The GCF/NCF file description.
  • The common folder name for NCF files.
  • The GCF/NCF file format and format specifications version.
  • The GCF/NCF file size, including the common folder size for NCF files.
  • The GCF/NCF file internal ID.
  • The GCF/NCF file version, and CDR latest version if the file is outdated.
  • The GCF/NCF file completion and data block usage for GCF files.
  • The count of contained folders and files.
  • The GCF/NCF file decryption key if available.

Open the GCF/NCF file

Opening the GCF/NCF file using an external tool.


The Open function of the contextual menu allows to open the GCF/NCF file using the system files types association. An external GCF/NCF tool is required.

GCF/NCF files batch processing

Execute a command on the selected GCF/NCF files.


To execute a batch command line on the selected files, select the Run batch function of the contextual menu. The command line is configured in the Preferences tab.

Copy the GCF/NCF files list

Keeping a trace of the current GCF/NCF files list.


To copy the GCF/NCF files list and description to the clipboard, select the wanted GCF/NCF files and use the Copy function of the contextual menu.
(or press Ctrl+C).

Validating the GCF/NCF files

Ensure the quality of the local GCF/NCF files.


GCF/NCF files can be validated in order to ensure that their structure and contained files are not corrupted. Two operations are possible :

  • Validate : checks the GCF/NCF files validity
  • Correct : checks the GCF/NCF files validity and correct the corrupted ones. The corrected contained files are removed from the GCF/NCF files and must be reacquired.

Mini GCF

Creating a mini gcf.


For various reasons, it may be interesting to create a mini GCF. A mini GCF is a GCF file where all the content is replaced by empty data. It can then be compressed with a very high compression ratio, but the content may have to be reacquired. Two modes are possible for the creation of mini GCF files as configured in the Preferences tab :

  • Keeping the content completion status, so the mini GCF file looks like an up to date but corrupted GCF file.
  • Setting the content as incomplete, so the mini GCF file looks like a 0% downloaded GCF file.

In order to create a mini GCF, select the MiniGCF function of the contextual menu. The mini GCF will be created in the output folder as configured in the Preferences tab


Updating GCF/NCF files

Keeping the GCF/NCF files up to date using the Steam network.


If a GCF/NCF file is outdated or not 100% complete, it may be possible to update it from the Steam network. This operation requires a valid Steam account owning the GCF/NCF file to be updated. This account must be properly configured in the Preferences tab. Please read the Security warnings concerning accounts.

In order to download a GCF/NCF file from the Steam network, it must first be associated with a pre-configured account. It is possible to change this association using the Download / Account ... function of the contextual menu.

To resume a GCF/NCF file download, use the Download / Resume function of the contextual menu.
In case of a pre-load, the GCF/NCF file will be decrypted on the release date.
In case of error, you may find more details in the Logs tab.

To pause a download, use either the Download / Pause or the Stop task function of the contextual menu.

The GCF/NCF files download can be monitored from the Bandwidth monitor tab

Updating GCF/NCF files using patches

Keeping the GCF/NCF files up to date using patches.


If a GCF/NCF file is outdated or not 100% complete, it is possible to update it using patches.

The update workflow is the following:

  • Create a so called archive file from your local outdated or incomplete GCF/NCF file, using the Patches / Make archive function of the contextual menu.
    The archive is a small file with a description of the GCF/NCF file such as the version, contained files, completion,...
  • Create an update file from the archive file and a more recent/complete version of the corresponding GCF/NCF file, using the Patches / Make Update function of the contextual menu.
    The update file contains the updated description and content.
  • Apply the update file on the original GCF/NCF file, using the Patches / Apply update function of the contextual menu. The local GCF/NCF file with then be updated, and the available content from the update will be added. In case of a pre-load, the GCF/NCF file will be decrypted if the update file has been created from a released version.

The archive and update files will be created in the output folder as configured in the Preferences tab

Plugins

Extending CF Toolbox functionnalities.


If plugins are installed for processing GCF/NCF files, a Plugins section will be added to the contextual menu. More information about plugins can be found on this page.