### LoTW Files and Icons

LoTW uses four kinds of files, distinguished by Filename Extension.

- on Windows, Windows Explorer displays these files with an Icon and Type:

  Filename Extension | Icon | File Type | Created By | Usage
  .tq5 |  | Callsign Certificate Request | TQSL | Callsign Certificate Request File submitted to ARRL
  .tq6 |  | Callsign Certificate | ARRL | Callsign Certificate File referenced and managed by TQSL (cannot be backed-up, recovered, or moved to another PC)
  .tq8 |  | Digitally Signed Log | TQSL or logging application | Digitally Signed Log File submitted to LoTW
  .p12 |  | Personal Information Exchange | TQSL | Certificate Container File managed by TQSL; can be backed-up, recovered, or moved to another PC
  .tbk |  | TQSL Backup | TQSL | Backup File created by TQSL that contains all certificates, station locations, and preferences in a form that can be backed-up, recovered, or moved to another PC