arh

.arh — Arc archive file

Robert Jung · 1991

Developer

Robert Jung

Key Features

High compression ratios, often superior to contemporary formats.
Support for multi-volume archives, allowing large archives to be split.
Solid compression mode for potentially better efficiency.
Error detection and recovery mechanisms.

Best For

Achieving maximum compression ratios for data archiving.
Splitting large archives into smaller, manageable parts.
Storing and transferring multiple files efficiently.

Less Ideal For

Users needing broad compatibility with modern unarchiving tools.
Situations requiring strong, modern encryption standards.
Everyday file sharing where ZIP or 7z are more universally supported.

Common Use Cases

Distributing software or large collections of files.
Archiving data to save disk space.
Sharing files online via email or download links.
Backing up important data.

How to Open It

Download and install a compatible unarchiving utility that supports ARJ.
Most common modern archivers like 7-Zip or WinRAR can extract ARJ files.
Right-click on the .arh file and select 'Extract Here' or 'Extract to folder...' if your unarchiver is associated with the file type.

What is a .arh file?

An ARH file is a compressed archive created by the ARJ compression program. It's designed to store multiple files within a single archive, reducing their combined size for easier storage and transfer. ARJ was known for its high compression ratios, often outperforming other popular archive formats of its time. These archives can be split into multiple parts, which was particularly useful for floppy disk distribution.

Programs That Open .arh Files

Platform	Program
Windows	7-Zip	Free
	WinRAR	Paid
	ARJ	Free	Official
macOS	The Unarchiver	Free
	p7zip	Free
Linux	p7zip	Free
	unar	Free
Android	RAR	Paid
	ZArchiver	Free
iOS	iZip	Free
	Unzip Tool	Free

How to Convert .arh Files

Format	Method
.ZIP	7-Zip, WinRAR, Online Converters
.RAR	WinRAR, 7-Zip, Online Converters

Common Problems with .arh Files

⚠️ Cannot open ARJ file on modern operating system.

Ensure you have a modern unarchiving tool installed that supports the ARJ format, such as 7-Zip or WinRAR.

⚠️ Archive is corrupted or incomplete.

Re-download the archive if obtained from a source. Some unarchivers have built-in repair functionality, but success is not guaranteed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ARJ still actively developed?▼

The original ARJ development has largely ceased, with newer archive formats like 7z and RAR offering more features and broader support.

How does ARJ compare to ZIP?▼

ARJ generally offered better compression ratios than the original ZIP format, but ZIP has evolved and is much more widely supported today.

Can I convert ARJ files to other formats?▼

Yes, you can extract the contents of an ARJ file using compatible software and then re-archive them into a different format like ZIP or 7z.

Technical Details

ARJ archives utilize a proprietary compression algorithm, offering good compression ratios. The file format supports features like multi-volume archives, solid compression (compressing files as a single block), and robust error checking. The header signature for ARJ files typically starts with the bytes '61 72 6A 24'.

Did You Know?

ARJ was one of the first widely popular compression utilities on MS-DOS, known for its speed and efficiency.

The name ARJ is an acronym for 'Archiving by Robert Jung'.

Security Information

As an older archive format, ARJ does not inherently support modern encryption standards. If security is a concern, extract the contents and re-archive them using a format like 7z or ZIP with AES encryption.