NSF or Notes Storage Facility is a database supported by both HCL Notes and HCL Domino server NSF file stores data in document unit which is termed as Notes. It comprises of crucial information of a Notes account like emails, contacts, user data, design information, appointments and so on.

NSF files are generally hosted by the HCL Domino server, and can be effortlessly downloaded by the Notes clients for using the fully functional database in offline mode. If Notes user modify, edit, or perform any reflecting changes in database then it is automatically synchronized by Domino server in the master database.

Life Span of Notes and Domino

• 1989: Lotus Notes was first released to the public by Lotus Development Corporation.
• 1995: IBM acquired Lotus Development Corporation, bringing Lotus Notes and Domino under the IBM umbrella.
• 2019: IBM sold Notes and Domino to HCL Technologies. This acquisition was finalized on July 1, 2019.

NSF file comes under the category of Database Files.

• IBM Notes
• IBM Domino

• application/x-lotus-notes
• application/vnd.lotus-notes

On–disk structure signatures are used by the NSF file format for the marking of start and size of data structures.

• BSIG (Byte Signature)
• It is of 2 bytes in size and comprises of the following:

• Offset	Size	Value	Description
  0	1		Signature
  1	1		Size of Structure

• WSIG (Word Signature)
• It is 4 bytes in size and includes the following:

• Offset	Size	Value	Description
  0	1		Signature
  1	1	0xff	Marker Value
  2	2		Size of Structure

• LSIG (Long Signature)
• Its size is 4 bytes and is comprised of the following:

• Offset	Size	Value	Description
  0	1		Signature
  1	1	0x00	Marker Value
  2	4		Size of Structure

To save the .nsf file extension from unauthorized beneficiaries, it can be encrypted in following ways:

• Database Encryption
• Document Encryption
• Field Encryption
• Mail Encryption
• Port Encryption

Windows: - C:\Programs Files\IBM\Lotus\Notes\Data

Windows XP: - \Documents and Settings\Username\Local Settings\Application Data\Lotus\Notes\Data

Windows Vista: - \Users\AppData\Local\Lotus\Notes\Data

Windows 7: - \Users\Username\AppData\Local\Lotus\Notes\Data

Windows 8: - \Users\Username\AppData\Local\Lotus\Notes\Data

Mac OS: - ~/Library/Application Support/Lotus Notes Data

Linux: - / {$HOME}/Lotus/Notes/Data

NSF file is created and opened by IBM Lotus Notes application. To open NSF file user can follow two methods:

• Open Notes Storage Facility using Lotus Notes
• Open using Free Applications mentioned below