Opening a PAE File

The PAE file type is primarily associated with PowerArchiver.

PAE	File extension: PAE
	File type:	multi-purpose container

What is a PAE file?

PAE files mostly belong to PowerArchiver. PAE files are not a single format but a group of files used for different purposes.
In many cases, these files are known as PowerArchiver encrypted files. They store data in an encrypted archive and require PowerArchiver software to be accessed.
Other PAE files belong to game data formats. Some contain particle effects or game patch executables used by Black Desert Online. For example, one type holds Windows executable data used by the Black Desert patcher. You can learn more about this at Black Desert Online Particle Effects or Black Desert Online Patch Details.
There are also PAE files that serve as PlayStation audio or animation data containers, often used by emulators and related animation software.
Usage summary:

PowerArchiver encryption: Protects archive data and needs PowerArchiver to open.

Game data: Contains game patches and visual effects for Black Desert Online.

Audio/Animation: Holds data for game emulation and animation effects.

FilExt.com tip: Always verify the file source and use the correct software, as the same extension can mean very different types of content.

How can I open a PAE file?

You need a suitable software like PowerArchiver to open a PAE 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 PAE file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a PAE file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online PAE Text Viewer

Choose your .pae file to analyze

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Programs that open and convert PAE files:

PowerArchiver
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. PAE files are often referred to as PowerArchiver compresseds because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
PowerArchiver (Encrypted Archive) by ConeXware, Inc.
PowerArchiver is a global archiving utility. The identifying characters used for this association are - Hex: 52 69 6A 6E 64 61 65 6C 20 45 6E 63 72 79 70 74 65 64 20 46 69 6C 65 20 28 50 6F 77 65 72 41 72 63 68 69 76 65 72 20, ASCII: Rijndael Encrypted File (PowerArchiver . This file format is classified as Archive.
Projet Personal AVI Editor

PAE file format:

A file format defines how the data in the file is structured. The file format can be deduced from the file extension and the signature. File extension, signature and file format must match; otherwise errors will occur when the file is opened. When there is a problem with a file, the first step to solving it is to determine the file format. Our evaluation of the PAE files looks like this:

PAE is not a common file extension and covers different formats for different programs. However, the following two file formats are common:

60% of all PAE files are associated with PowerArchiver Encrypted. These files contain neither text nor words, but only data. PAE files can be up to 74 MB in size, but are often around 12 KB - 11 MB. The keywords SHA-1 and Rijndael Encrypted File (PowerArchiver 2011: www.powerarchiver.com) are typical for these files.
15% of all PAE files have the same signature PAR . The contents of these files cannot be read by a human; only a computer program can interpret the data. The average file size is 19 KB with most files being between 9 KB and 23 KB in size. The following keywords are characteristic: PAR.

All the rest of the PAE files (25%) have different formats, such as EXE. Tagged as patcher, desert or black. Just click the "Choose your .pae file to analyze" button on this page to find out what your PAE file is.

Technical Data for PAE File Extension

File classification:

Compressed

Identifier:

Hex: 52 69 6A 6E 64 61 65 6C 20 45 6E 63 72 79 70 74 65 64 20 46 69 6C 65 20 28 50 6F 77 65 72 41 72 63 68 69 76 65 72 20, ASCII: Rijndael Encrypted File (PowerArchiver (provided by TrID database)

Related files:

pae2, rar, pahd, uti, a2r, exe, zip, 7z, tar

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: PACRY, FileType: PowerArchiver Encrypted File, AppName: PowerArchiver 2003
EXEFile: POWERARC.EXE

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

ProgramID: PAEFile
EXEFile: C:\PAEDITOR\pae.exe %1

ProgramID: PACRY
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Accessories\PowerArchiver\POWERARC.EXE

ProgramID: PACRY
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PowerArchiver\RegFiles.Exe

ProgramID: ArchiCAD.paeFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Graphisoft\ArchiCAD 9-S\ArchiCAD.exe

ProgramID: ArchiCAD.paeFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ArchiCAD 6.5\ArchiCAD.exe

ProgramID: ArchiCAD.paeFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Graphisoft\ArchiCAD 10\ArchiCAD.exe

Show all 8 listings To Top

a pae multi-purpose container is a special file format and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with PAE files

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