Opening AR Files

The AR file type is primarily associated with ar.

AR	File extension: AR
	File type:	compressed archive file

What is an AR file?

AR files mostly belong to ar by Bell Labs. AR is an archive file format associated with the Unix file archiving utility ar. Like other similar compressed archives, AR files are a single file created from a group of files. The archives are generally used for creating and updating static library files used by the link editor. They are also used for creating .deb packages for Debian. The file extensions .a and .lib are related to AR and these are also generated by the ar utility.
Other Uses: AR is also the extension for add-ons created for Midtown Madness, a simulation driving video game for the Microsoft Windows platform. These add-ons are used to add new vehicles to the game. The AR files are archives that contain a 3D model and the texture files for the model.

How to open AR files

You need a suitable software like ar to open an AR file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your AR file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a AR file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online AR File Viewer

Choose your .ar file to view

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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How to extract texts from AR files or capture a screenshot to PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...

You can extract texts from AR file or capture a preview screenshot using our online AR file viewer:

Just click the "Choose your .ar file to view" button on this page.
After your file is opened in browser,
click "Save as..." in the menu.
Then choose the file format (e.g. JPG, PDF, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
Your file will be converted and downloaded.

Programs that open and convert AR files:

ar by Bell Labs
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. AR files are often referred to as ar compresseds because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
AIX (small indexed archive) by IBM
AIX is a Unix operating system developed by IBM. Static library files associated with AIX have the extension AR. AR files are created by the ar archiving utility for Unix-based systems. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: AIX on Wikipedia, AR File Format, ar Utility Documentation
Java Runtime Environment (data library file) by Oracle
AR is the extension for a library associated with the Java Runtime Environment from Oracle. The Java Runtime Environment is a programming environment used to develop Java applications. This file format is classified as Developer.
Midtown Madness (game add-on file) by Microsoft
Midtown Madness is a car racing video game from Microsoft. The game allows enthisuasts to create and include add-on vehicles. The file format for these add-on 3D models is AR. It is an archive format and contains the model and texture files. The files can be decompressed using common file archivers such as WinZip and WinRar. This file format is classified as Game. Related links: Midtown Madness on Wikipedia
WinRAR (compressed archive file) by WinRar
WinRAR is a file archiving program that compresses files and groups them into one single archive. It supports all popular compression formats and encrypts archives with 256 bit of password encryption. WinRAR is able to compress executable, multimedia and library files with efficiency. WinRAR can decompress files with the AR extension. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: WinRAR Wikipedia Page

AR file format details:

To find out what program is needed to open AR files, you need to determine the file format. Each file format has a unique extension and almost always a unique signature. For example, Microsoft Word documents have the extension .docx and the signature (usually the first 3 characters in this file) PK. However, different programs can use the same file extension. Furthermore, a file extension can be renamed incorrectly and double-clicking on it will then display an error when it is opened. So you need a detailed analysis of a file to find out the format and the associated program. Our examination of the AR files comes to the following conclusion:

Files with the AR extension are quite widely used. This file type is used by a few programs, each with its own file format. The two most popular formats are as follows:

20% of all AR files are associated with Big Mutha Truckers 2 game data Archive. They consist of illegible, cryptic characters. The average file size is 650 MB with most files being between 19 MB and 1 GB in size. The file type was used 20 years ago. The files contain the following words: ARCC. The file name archive.ar or archive0.ar is characteristic of these files. Such AR files store data about audio and core.
15% of all AR files use ZIP compression, so multiple files are compressed and stored together in one AR file. 2 to 210 compressed files are common. Customary file names are resources.arsc. A little tip: If you rename the file extension to .zip and then double-click, you will see the included files and images. AR files are between 8 KB and 87 MB in size. The file name UserProtocols.ar or SAOIF_JAP_167.ar is typical for these files. Files like these are about pubg, protocols, user, saoif and irtpanoznos.

All other AR files (65%) have different formats, the following 13 formats exist: ar archive, Midtown Madness 2 game data archive, ACCAreader document, Midtown Madness game data archive, DOC, 7z, RAR and tate. These files sometimes refer to settings, cubepro, backup, master, data or security. If you want to find out what your AR file contains, drag and drop it onto this page.

Technical Data for AR File Extension

File classification:

Compressed

Related files:

a, flag, rar, ar3, reality, _ar, ar0, ar4, zip, arch, 00, usdz, appcenter, simo_simo_gildas_rochinel, real, air, png, jpeg, pdf, glb

Mime type:

application/x-archive, application/x-unix-archive

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: AquaRealFile, FileType: Aqua Real File, AppName: Program

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Report.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office10\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenReport %1,2]

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Report.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenReport %1,2]

ProgramID: Access.Shortcut.Report.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP /SHELLSYSTEM [OpenReport %1,2]

ProgramID: AquaRealFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Formosoft\Aqua Real DEMO version 1.3\AquaReal.scr %1

ProgramID: jarfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Java\bin\javaw.exe -jar %1

ProgramID: jarfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Java\j2re1.4.2_03\bin\javaw.exe -jar %1 %*

ProgramID: jarfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Java\j2re1.4.2_05\bin\javaw.exe -jar %1 %*

ProgramID: jarfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Java\j2re1.4.2_06\bin\javaw.exe -jar %1 %*

ProgramID: jarfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\javasoft\jre1.4\1.4.1\bin\javaw.exe -jar %1

ProgramID: jarfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\JavaSoft\JRE\1.3.1\bin\javaw.exe -jar %1

ProgramID: jarfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\JavaSoft\JRE\1.3.1_03\bin\javaw.exe -jar %1

ProgramID: Nokia.ApplicationInstaller
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Nokia\Nokia PC Suite 6\ApplicationInstaller.exe %1

ProgramID: PARAR
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PowerArchiver\POWERARC.EXE %1

ProgramID: PATAR
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PowerArchiver\POWERARC.EXE %1

ProgramID: PAZIP
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PowerArchiver\POWERARC.EXE %1

ProgramID: QuickTime.kar
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\QUICKT~1\QuickTimePlayer.exe %1

ProgramID: RealJukebox.lar.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Real\RealOne Player\RealPlay.exe %1

ProgramID: RealJukebox.lar.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Real\RealPlayer\RealPlay.exe %1

ProgramID: Winamp.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Winamp\winamp.exe %1

ProgramID: WinRAR
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\WinRAR\WinRAR.exe %1

ProgramID: WinZip
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\WINZIP\winzip32.exe %1

ProgramID: AquaRealFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Formosoft\Aqua Real DEMO version 1.3.2\AquaReal.scr

ProgramID: AquaRealFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Formosoft\PC Aquarium Deluxe 3.0\AquaReal.scr

Show all 24 listings To Top

an ar compressed archive file is a special file format by Bell Labs and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with AR files

Associate the AR file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open compressed archive files. Because only the current version supports the latest AR file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Bell Labs manufacturer website after an available ar update.
To make sure that your AR file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .AR file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.