Home : Extensions : .arc files

.arc File Extension

File Type 1Norton Backup Archive

Developer Symantec
Category Backup files
File Format Binary

.ARC Type 1

An ARC file is a backup file created by Norton software products, such as Norton 360 and Norton Online Backup. It contains a backup of computer files created automatically by the software, which may include personal user files as well as system files.

More Information

ARC files are used for storing and recovering files in the event of accidental deletion or system failure. They may be backed up to an off-site location using Norton Online Backup.

NOTE: Since ARC files can include all personal and system files, they may be very large in size.

Programs that open ARC files

File Type 2Compressed File Archive

Developer System Enhancement Associates
Category Compressed files
File Format Binary

.ARC Type 2

An ARC file is a compressed file archive created either as a Macintosh Hierarchical File System (HFS) archive or an MS-DOS archive using standard MS-DOS compression. It contains a collection of compressed files, each being compressed potentially with a different compression technique.

More Information

ARC files were commonly used in the late 1980s and early 1990s. However, they are rarely used now and have been replaced by newer, more efficient compression algorithms.

NOTE: While ARC files were used primarily for MS-DOS and older versions of Macintosh computers, several current programs can still open them, such as StuffIt and WinZip.

Programs that open ARC files
Windows
7-Zip
PeaZip
Smith Micro StuffIt Deluxe for Windows
Adobe Acrobat
ESTsoft ALZip
ConeXware PowerArchiver
Acubix PicoZip
E-merge WinAce
Smith Micro StuffIt Deluxe
Linux
PeaZip
Adobe Acrobat
FreeArc
Macintosh
Smith Micro Stuffit Deluxe Mac
The Unarchiver
Adobe Acrobat

File Type 3African Safari Data File

Developer Activision
Category Game files
File Format N/A

.ARC Type 3

Contains music, images, and other data used by Cabela's African Safari; named "data.arc" and is located in the /PSP_GAME/USRDIR/ directory on Sony PSP discs; Cabela's African Safari is available for Windows PC, Xbox, Playstation 2, and PSP.

More Information

The DATA.ARC file is referenced by the African Safari game and should not be manually opened by the user.

Programs that open ARC files
Windows
Activision Cabela's African Safari

File Type 4Symbian OS Backup File

Developer Nokia
Category Backup files
File Format Binary

.ARC Type 4

Backup file created for mobile devices that use the Symbian open source operating system; contains both personal and system backup data from the mobile device; used for restoring data in the event it is lost.

More Information

Example ARC files include backup.arc, Messages.arc, Calendars.arc, and Bookmarks.arc.

Programs that open ARC files

File Type 5Nintendo Archive File

Developer Nintendo
Category Data files
File Format Binary

.ARC Type 5

Archive file used by Nintendo games; contains game properties, such as images, textures, objects, and levels; typically stored within ROMs; can be edited to customize gameplay.

Programs that open ARC files
Windows
BrawlBox
SZS Modifier
Reggie! Level Editor

About ARC Files

Our goal is to explain what .arc file is used for for and how to open it.

File Nintendo Archive File usage cases for Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS software listed on this page have been individually researched and verified using the FilesWiki team. We strive for 100% accuracy and only publish information about file formats that we have tested and verified.