An archive file is a file that is composed of one or more files along with metadata that can include source volume and medium information, file directory structure, error detection and recovery information, file comments, and usually employs some form of lossless compression. Archive files may also be encrypted in part or as a whole. Archive files are used to collect multiple data files together into a single file for easier portability and storage (Retrieved May 21, 2008, from Archive file - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archive_file)

To Make It Short it’s something similar to a folder that contains files only this time you will need another application to access those files.

These are the extension of common archive files. If you bumped in to one and can’t open it go to the links I provided and download the application for that file type

7z –7zip at http://www.7-zip.org (free, Can also be opened using Winrar and IZArc)

Zip, Z01, RAR, and R01 – Common Compressed Files and Split Compressed Files

Winzip -http://www.winzip.com/index.htm (Version 11.2 -> $29.95 basic, $49.95 pro)

Winrar -http://www.rarlab.com (Version 3.71 -> $29 single license)

IZarc -http://www.izarc.org (free –Recommended)

Note on Z01 and R01 file extensions – files with these extensions are called Split Compressed Archives; these files usually come with other files such as a .ZIP, .Z02, .Z03 for split ZIP files and .RAR, .R02, .R03, for split RAR files. To extract the content of these files, you need to place all the split parts into a single folder, if one archive is missing the archiving software will most likely produce a message telling you that a certain file is not found.

CBR (Comic Book RAR Archive) – Cdisplay at http://www.cdisplay.net (free)

Note: A CBR file is just another compressed filed that got its extension changed so it can be opened using Winzip, Winrar or Izarc.

UHA (UHarc Compressed Archive) – Winuha at http://www.klaimsoft.com/winuha (free)