How to Recover Corrupt Archive Files?

An archive file is composed of one or more files along with metadata that are stored in a compress format. Archive files collects multiple data files together into a single file for easier transportability and storage, or you can that it simply compresses numerous files to use less storage space. Compressing files enables you to save your spaces by reducing the size of the file. Once the file is compressed you can easily transfer these compressed or archive files over the network as an attachment in the email.

There are different file format in which your file can be compressed. The list of different compressed archives is too long, approximately 250 known archive formats, but the number may go higher since many programs use their own compressed files. The ones I explained here are the most commonly used archive files you will find.

Some of them are ZIP, 7-Z, TAR, TAR-GZ and RAR. Each file format has its own pros and cons. For you need a compression utility to collect and compress files. WinRar and WinZip are the utilities which helps you to archive your files.

ZIP

The most common and widely used archive format is ZIP. ZIP files are very versatile and handy. It can either use as only archiving files that group all the files together in one file without compressing them, or compress multiple files into single ZIP file. ZIP compression always ensure that each file type is compressed in the best possible manner.

Pros

It provides highest compression speed

It can compress numerous files.

It is supportable OS X, Linux & Unix

Cons

It provides very low compression rates

RAR

When it comes to popularity, RAR is the most popular archive format. This another wide-spread archive format have the better compression rate. Though this file format is not licensed under open source licensed but provides easy compression and decompression

Pros

It provides high compression speed

It smartly compresses multiple files.

It can be used on OS X, Linux & Android

Cons

It provides moderate compression rate

TAR

TAR file format is a full archiving format popular on Unix and Unix-like systems.

It provide only archiving and delegating functions as compression, parity/integrity check, encryption etc

Pros

It Provides highest compression speed

It easily compresses multiple files

It is an Open Source Format

It is used on OS X, Linux & Unix

Cons

It provides low compression rates.

7 Z

7Z archive file format is one of the most versatile and handy archive files. It "future proof" since it is compatible with new compression software as well as with the old It is basically associated with the 7-Zip compression program.

Pros

It provides highest compression rate

It has the ability to split one archive into further smaller chunks

It easily compress multiple files

It Is an Open Source Format

It is used on Windows, OS X & Linux

Cons

It provides moderate compression speed

IS ARCHIVE FILES PRONE TO CORRUPRPTION?

The answer to these question is yes. Archive files are often get corrupted or damaged. There are multiple of reasons which can make your archive files inaccessible. Sometimes important files or documents might be lost from your system due to your accidental deletion or formatting. Often a slow download of a compressed file like a ZIP or RAR file format can end up being corrupt and make it impossible for you to access the files.

Some of the possible errors when archive files get corrupted are

• The file or directory is corrupt and non-readable".
• Unexpected end of archive".
• Invalid data into a Zip file".
• ZIP file is corrupt".
• The archive is corrupt".
• CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) error" appears on the monitor screen.
• Cannot open file: it does not appear to be a valid archive"
• Expected ZIP file header not found."
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How to deal with t.he damaged RAR file, ZIP file, 7z file, TAR file, TAR.GZ file and other archives?

I want my readers to refer to only output-oriented and cost- effective solution. That's why i am recommending you Archive Recovery Tool and experience its heart winning features of this software.

A Technical Blogger @EasyTechTools EasyTechTools and a freelance Software & IT Analyst with an experience of more that 5+years