To extract an ARC file, drop it above or click Select File, then click Upload and extract. Your browser can't open ARC files, so ConvertKitty opens it on our server and gives you everything inside as one ZIP file, which every computer opens by itself. Your files are deleted 72 hours later.
What is an ARC file?
ARC – ARC archive. ARC is one of the first archive formats for DOS. It was replaced by ZIP in the late 1980s.
ARC Converter →How to extract an ARC file
- Click Select File, or drop your .arc file anywhere on this page.
- Click Upload and extract.
- Download the ZIP with everything inside when it's done.
ARC at a glance
| ARC | |
|---|---|
| Type | Archive |
| Holds | Many files and folders |
| Compression | LZW variants |
| Encryption | None |
| Created by | System Enhancement Associates, 1985 |
| Best for | Opening very old DOS archives |
Good to know
- ARC is an old format that today's computers rarely open by themselves.
- Symbolic links, hard links and special files (such as devices) are left out for safety.
Frequently asked questions
How do I open an ARC file?
Drop it on this page and click Upload and extract: you get everything inside as one ZIP file, which Windows, macOS and Linux open by themselves.
Can I save just one file from an ARC?
Not for ARC files: they are opened on our server, which gives you everything inside as one ZIP. You can then open the ZIP and take the files you need.
Are my ARC files uploaded anywhere?
Yes: your browser can't open ARC files, so they are sent over an encrypted connection, made into one ZIP, and deleted 72 hours later.
Is extracting ARC files free?
Yes. Opening archives in your browser and saving the files is free, with no account and no limit. Archives opened on our server use credits: everyone gets 25 free credits a day, and most archives cost a single one. Credits reset at midnight UTC.
How large can the ARC file be?
Up to 1 GB.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes. It works in any modern web browser, on a computer or a phone, and the files you save go to your downloads.
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Updated