ARC files: what are they and how do I open them?
Are you facing difficulties opening unknown files on your computer, or wondering exactly what this file is?
We've got the information and best software solutions for opening these files effortlessly.
.arc file type #1: ARC compressed archives
Archives compressed using the ARC lossless data compression method, originally developed by SAE, are typically found as files with an arc file extension.
Further details:
ARC is a file format that supports lossless data compression and archiving. It was developed by System Enhancement Associates (SEA) in the mid-1980s and was widely used before the ZIP format became popular.
The ARC format combines several files into one archive file, or a "library", for easier transportation or storage. It also compresses the files to save space. The files can then be extracted and restored to their original form. The ARC format was eventually replaced by the ZIP format, which offers better compression ratios and more features. However, some old software and games may still use the ARC format.
Open file with:
IZArc
A freeware archive utility that supports many archive formats
.arc file type #2: Accelrys/MSI Biosym/Insight II CAR chemistry data
Files with arc file extension might also be found as molecular files in CAR Accelrys/MSI Biosym/Insight II format. Molecular format.
Further details:
The arc file extension is also related to a special chemistry format used in Accelrys/MSI Biosym/Insight II. It is described as CAR format, but uses both car and arc file extensions.
Open file with:
Open Babel
An open chemistry toolkit
.arc file type #3: Avalanche Studios game archive
An arc file extension is associated with Avalanche Engine, a video gaming engine used by games from Avalanche Software. An arc file stores game data.
Further details:
The arc file extension is related to Just Cause, Mad Max and other computer games for various platforms based on Avalanche video gaming engine developed by Avalanche Studios.
The arc file stores archive with various game data, like graphics, sounds, models, textures etc.
Avalanche Engine games contains several *.arc archives, which are called game0.arc, game1.arc, game2.arc, etc. and they are about 822 MB size.
Avalanche Studios games:
- Just Cause
- The Hunter
- Just Cause 2
- Renegade Ops
- The Hunter: Primal
- Rumble City
- Mad Max
- Just Cause 3
- Final Fantasy XV
Open file with:
ArchiveViewer
Avalanche Engine .arc/.tab files viewer
Just Cause 3
Open world action adventure from Avalanche Studios
Just Cause 2
Action adventure computer game
Mad Max
A post apocalyptic action adventure computer game
.arc file type #4: Cabela's African Safari game data
Files with arc file extension can also be found as game data files from Cabela's African Safari.
Further details:
The arc file extension is also used for game data files from the Cabela's African Safari video game.
Shares some extensions as ARC compressed archive, but it is not the same format and cannot be extracted by standard file archivers.
Open file with:
Cabela's African Safari
A hunting simulation video game
.arc file type #5: FreeArc compressed archive
Files with arc file extension can also be found as compressed archives from FreeArc utility by Bulat Ziganshin. Different from the original ARC format.
Further details:
The arc file extension is also used by FreeArc, a file archiver made by Bulat Ziganshin.
The program uses the same extension for its default archive as the old ARC format, however it is completely different format.
Open file with:
FreeArc
A multi-platform archiving application
.arc file type #6: I-DEAS archive
Files with arc file extension may also be found as some sort of export archives produced by Siemens I-DEAS software.
Further details:
The arc file extension is also reported to be used in I-DEAS, a CAD software, originally by UGS now owned by Siemens.
This type of .arc files seems to be some sort of export archive used to transfer parts or assemblies from one system to another.
Open file with:
I-DEAS
An older CAD software
.arc file type #7: Nintendo archive
Files with arc file extension can also be found as game data files found on some Nintendo game cartridges. Contains game data.
Further details:
The arc file extension is also used by by some Nintendo gaming consoles (GameCube and Wii) to store data on ROM game cartridges. Usually for music and other game data.
This format is unrelated to the original ARC format and cannot be decompressed using standard file archives.
We are sorry, there is currently no specific software link to open this kind of file.
.arc file type #8: Nokia backup archive
Files with arc file extension can be found as backups produced by certain Nokia phones based on Symbian OS. Can be recovered using Nokia PC Suite.
Further details:
The arc file extension is also related to special backup format used in the past on Nokia Symbian OS devices.
This type of .arc files contains backup of various stuff found on the phone, including messages, calendars and other data.
Example: backup.arc
Open file with:
Nokia Suite
A set of applications used to manage older Nokia mobile phones
.arc file type #9: Norton backup archive
Files with arc file extension may also be found as computer backups created using Symantec Norton 360 software.
Further details:
The arc file extension is also used for backup files generated by Symantec Norton 360 backup software.
This type of .arc file can contain all kind of data backup, usually individual folders or whole drives. Often such .arc file is pretty large in size and can take up many TB of space.
Open file with:
Norton 360
A PC protection suite