File Extension Database

Open ARCHIVE File

An ARCHIVE file extension is a versatile format that can represent a variety of different file types, often used to bundle or compress multiple files into a single package. Popular formats include ZIP, RAR, and 7Z. These formats are commonly used to save storage space, make files smaller for faster transfer, or to package multiple files together for easier distribution. In this article, we will explore the various formats of ARCHIVE files, ways to open and use them, and important information relevant to their use.

Possible Formats of ARCHIVE Files

There are numerous formats for ARCHIVE files, but here we will discuss the most popular and widely used ones:

ZIP - The most widely used format for ARCHIVE files, created by Phil Katz in 1989. It supports lossless data compression and is compatible with most operating systems and software.
RAR - Another popular format for ARCHIVE files, created by Eugene Roshal in 1993. It is known for its high compression ratio and is supported on Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms with the help of third-party software like WinRAR or UnRAR.
7Z - A more recent format, created in 1999 by Igor Pavlov. It uses LZMA and LZMA2 compression algorithms for high compression ratios. 7Z is open-source and available for multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, using free software like 7-Zip or PeaZip.
TAR - A widely used format for Linux and Unix systems, created for the purpose of maintaining file structures and organization. Unlike other formats, TAR does not provide compression capability by itself, but it can be combined with other compression tools such as gzip or bzip2.
GZIP - Not exactly an ARCHIVE file format, but it is commonly used for compressing files, especially on Unix-based systems. While it can compress only a single file, it is often used in conjunction with TAR files to create compressed archives.

Opening and Using ARCHIVE Files

Different software and tools can be used to open and extract ARCHIVE files, depending on the format used:

ZIP - Native support is available in Windows and macOS, so any archive in ZIP format can be opened using built-in tools. For additional features, users can employ third-party tools such as WinZip, 7-Zip, or PeaZip.
RAR - Although not natively supported in all operating systems, RAR files can be opened using popular tools, such as WinRAR or UnRAR, which allows extraction and compression of RAR files on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
7Z - 7Z files can be opened on any platform using the open-source program 7-Zip, which supports various other ARCHIVE formats as well. Other software like PeaZip and WinZip can also be used to open and extract 7Z files.
TAR and GZIP - Both TAR and GZIP files can be opened using built-in tools in Linux and Unix-based systems. For Windows users, tools like 7-Zip and PeaZip can be used. For macOS users, built-in support is available for GZIP, but TAR files can be easily managed with third-party software like The Unarchiver or Keka.

ARCHIVE File Important Information

When using ARCHIVE files, it's vital to choose the appropriate format based on your needs and requirements. Keep in mind that some formats offer higher compression ratios (such as RAR and 7Z), while others offer better compatibility (such as ZIP).

Always remember to use reliable and trusted software to open and extract ARCHIVE files. Using less known or unverified tools may pose a risk to your data and expose it to potential corruption or malware infections.

Lastly, ensure to have backups of your important data before compressing it into ARCHIVE files. In case of ARCHIVE file corruption or loss, it's crucial to have a backup to recover your valuable data.

How Can I Open ARCHIVE File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open ARCHIVE file is to find a ARCHIVE file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a ARCHIVE file is not opened in an application and you instead get a "Windows can't open a file" error message you should try looking for an application which can open the file in question.
If you know the application which can open ARCHIVE file then run it and see if there is a File->Open main menu option in the application.
If you don't know the application which function as ARCHIVE file opener then try to search online for "ARCHIVE viewer", "application to open ARCHIVE file" or "open ARCHIVE file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open ARCHIVE file

How Can I Open ARCHIVE File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a ARCHIVE file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a ARCHIVE file is not opened in a Mac OS application and you instead get a "There is no application set to open the file" error message you can click on "Search App Store" in the error dialog and Mac OS will show you applications compatible with ARCHIVE file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as ARCHIVE file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open ARCHIVE file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open ARCHIVE file then try to search for "ARCHIVE viewer", "application to open ARCHIVE file" or "read ARCHIVE file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read ARCHIVE file

How Can I Open ARCHIVE File on Android

If you downloaded a ARCHIVE file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

In the Android apps list on your Android device find "My Files" or "File manager" app and tap to start it.
Tap on "Downloads" folder inside the app.
You should see your downloaded ARCHIVE file in that folder.
Tap on the file. If Android device supports opening the file you downloaded it will open in the corresponding app.
If file does not open you can look for the corresponding app that can open the file by searching Android App Store for the "ARCHIVE".
If you cannot open the file with the apps from Android App Store it is possible that the file could only be opened on desktop platforms such as Windows or Mac OS. Try searching for "ARCHIVE viewer", "ARCHIVE file reader" online and see if any desktop applications can open it.
It is also possible that the file you downloaded is outdated and is no longer supported.

How to Open ARCHIVE File on iPhone or iPad

To open ARCHIVE File on iOS device follow steps below:

We advies to open Files app on your iPhone or iPad device. You can find it by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
Tap on the Downloads folder on the Files app home screen.
You will see all files that you recently downloaded. Tap on the ARCHIVE file to view it.
If you have the right app that can open it it will automatically launch and open your file.
If you don't have the app which can open it you need to serch Apple app store for "ARCHIVE". This way you can find apps which can open ARCHIVE files.
If this doesn't help it is possible that your file could be opened only by the desktop application. To find an app which can open it on desktop look for "ARCHIVE viewer" or "ARCHIVE file" online in your favorite search engine.

Populating this website with information and maintaining it is an ongoing process. We always welcome feedback and questions that can be submitted by visiting Contact Us page. However since there are many users visiting this website and because our team is quite small we may not be able to follow up personally on every request. Thank you for your understanding.