What is a ARJ file?
ARJ — MS-DOS archive
Use the format ARJ
A concrete example
Create a ZIP from an ARJ archive to facilitate its consultation.
Useful checks
Check multiple volumes and file names. Keep all parts before conversion.
Choose a conversion
Keep the original and open the result in the software or on the device that will need to use it.
Your questions about this format
Why did I receive a TAR.GZ file?
Gzip compresses a stream, while TAR groups the files of a folder. The engine therefore combines the two to preserve the contents of a multi-part archive. Open the TAR.GZ with compatible software, then check the extracted files.
Does converting an archive change the documents inside?
The goal is to change their container, not to convert each document. A PDF in an archive remains a PDF. To change its format, extract it and then use the Documents theme.
Will a ZIP archive necessarily be smaller?
No. JPEG photos, videos, or already compressed archives may shrink very little. Compare the size and prioritize especially the format that your recipient knows how to open.
What to do with a protected or damaged archive?
The form does not ask for a password. Unlock your archive locally if you are allowed to, then try again with a copy. If it is damaged, first check that your local software can extract the files; paying does not repair an unreadable archive.
What is it?
ARJ is an archive format from the MS-DOS era, built for a world where files traveled on 1.44 MB floppy disks.
Its most widely used feature was automatic multi-volume splitting: a 10 MB archive would spread itself across seven floppy disks without any manual intervention.
History & origin
Robert Jung released ARJ in 1991 — the name comes from his initials — as a rival to the then-emerging ZIP format.
It saw heavy use on file servers and in file-sharing circles of the time, before fading away along with DOS itself.
Why it is useful
A solid compression ratio for its era, paired with reliable multi-volume splitting.
It already supported recovery of damaged archives.
Limits & drawbacks
Thoroughly obsolete: no modern system opens it natively, and software still able to read it is becoming scarce.
It inherits DOS's limitations, starting with short file names.
Practical tips
If you dig up old ARJ files, convert them to ZIP right away — it's the only way to preserve their contents.
Check the result after conversion: file names truncated by DOS can come out garbled.
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Convert a ARJ