.arz — ARZ Compressed Archive
Robert Jung · 1991
ARZ files are compressed archives created by the ARJ archiving utility, similar to ZIP files but often offering better compression.
Key Features
- Efficient file compression ratios.
- Support for multi-volume (split) archives.
- Features like solid compression for improved efficiency.
- Can store multiple files and directory structures.
Best For
- Compressing large numbers of files efficiently.
- Creating archives that can be split across multiple disks or volumes.
- Situations where maximum compression is prioritized over compatibility.
- Handling older software archives.
Less Ideal For
- Sharing files with users who may not have ARJ software installed.
- Modern cross-platform compatibility needs.
- Situations requiring strong encryption beyond basic archiving.
- Archiving single, very small files where compression benefits are minimal.
Common Use Cases
- Distributing software or data files before the widespread adoption of ZIP.
- Archiving large collections of files to save storage space.
- Creating multi-part archives for transfer across limited-capacity media or networks.
- Backing up important data sets.
How to Open It
- Download and install a compatible ARJ extraction utility like 7-Zip or WinRAR.
- Open the ARJ software and navigate to the 'Open' or 'Extract' function.
- Select your .arz file and choose a destination folder to extract its contents.
- Alternatively, on some systems, you can right-click the .arz file and select an 'Extract' option provided by your installed archiving software.
What is a .arz file?
The .arz file extension is associated with the ARJ archive format, a popular file compression and archiving utility developed by Robert Jung. ARJ was known for its efficient compression ratios and support for features like split archives and long filenames, making it a strong competitor to formats like ZIP in its heyday. While less common today, ARJ archives are still encountered, especially for older software distributions or data backups. These archives can contain one or more files compressed into a single package for easier storage and transfer.
Programs That Open .arz Files
| Platform | Program | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | 7-Zip | Free | |
| WinRAR | Paid | ||
| Peazip | Free | ||
| macOS | The Unarchiver | Free | |
| Keka | Paid | ||
| Linux | unarj | Free | Official |
| 7-Zip | Free | ||
| Android | RAR | Paid | |
| ZArchiver | Free | ||
| iOS | iZip | Free | |
| Documents by Readdle | Free |
How to Convert .arz Files
| Format | Method |
|---|---|
| .ZIP | 7-Zip, WinRAR, Online converters |
| .7Z | 7-Zip, Online converters |
Common Problems with .arz Files
Frequently Asked Questions
No, ARJ is largely considered a legacy format. ZIP, RAR, and 7z are much more common for general archiving and compression tasks today due to better support and features.
Yes, you can extract the contents of an ARJ file using a compatible archiver (like 7-Zip) and then re-compress them into a ZIP format using the same software or another archiving tool.
ARJ was developed to offer superior compression ratios and features like multi-volume archives compared to early ZIP implementations. However, ZIP has evolved and remains more widely supported.
Technical Details
ARJ archives are binary files that store compressed data. They can employ various compression algorithms, including LZSS and its variations, to reduce file size. The format supports features like multi-volume archives (split archives), solid compression (compressing multiple files as a single block for better efficiency), and error recovery information.