All about PAK Files

The PAK file type is primarily associated with WinZip.

PAK	File extension: PAK
	File type:	game archive file

What is a PAK file?

PAK files mostly belong to WinZip by Corel. PAK is an extension that compresses a number of files into a single archive that is smaller in size than the combined size of each individual file. These files are usually read-only.

Main usage: PAK files often get used by various video games. Games such as Quake Crysis, Far Cry and EXient XGS are some that use PAK files. PAK files may contain graphics, textures, sounds, objects and other data that is compressed into a single file, using an encoding algorithm. A PAK file acts like a ZIP archive and contains many different files within the archive. PAK files are generally accessible via the game the are associated with. Other than video games, ePAK files are also used by applications such as the Google Chrome web browser.
Ambiguous format: Depending on the video game or application that contains it, the format used in PAK files differs from one another. This makes opening these types of files a bit harder than usual, because users need to try a number of programs to find the right one that'll open your specific PAK file. They can only be read and opened on Windows-based systems with a various of utilities like Pak Explorer, Sprite Explorer and Wally.

How to open a PAK file

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

Online PAK File Viewer

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

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

Just click the "Choose your .pak 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.
Download the converted file.

Programs that open and convert PAK files:

WinZip by Corel
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. PAK files are often referred to as WinZip compresseds because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
ALZip (game archive file) by ESTsoft
ALZip is a utility for file compression and archiving from ESTsoft. It supports several archive formats, including PAK. A PAK file is a compressed archive that packs together multiple game files such as assets and data. It is commonly used to distribute custom content and mods for games. PAK files are usually compressed using the Zlib compression algorithm. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: ALZip on Wikipedia, Download ALZip
Crazy Talk (SFX file) by Reallusion
CrazyTalk is a 2D facial animation software that can transform photos into animated characters. PAK is the format of the special effects (SFX) files used by the software. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: CrazyTalk on Wikipedia, SFX on Wikipedia, CrazyTalk User Manual
Daikatana (game archive file) by Square Enix
Daikatana is a first-person shooter video game that uses the PAK extension. A PAK file is a compressed archive that packs together multiple game files such as assets and data. It is commonly used to distribute custom content and mods for games. PAK files are usually compressed using the Zlib compression algorithm. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: Daikatana on Wikipedia, Ion Storm (Developer) on Wikipedia, Archived Daikatana Webpage
DePacker (game archive file) by Giles Williams
DePacker is a tool for extracting files from a Quake mod's PAK file. A PAK file is a compressed archive that packs together multiple game files such as assets and data. It is commonly used to distribute custom content and mods for games. PAK files are usually compressed using the Zlib compression algorithm. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: DePacker Source Code
Dragon UnPACKer (game archive file) by Alexandre Devilliers
Dragon UnPACKer is an open-source tool for viewing and unpacking game archives. It supports several archive formats, including PAK. A PAK file is a compressed archive that packs together multiple game files such as assets and data. It is commonly used to distribute custom content and mods for games. PAK files are usually compressed using the Zlib compression algorithm. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: Dragon UnPACKer Repository, Dragon UnPACKer Review
Dune (game archive file) by Virgin Interactive
Dune is an adventure strategy video game that uses the PAK extension. A PAK file is a compressed archive that packs together multiple game files such as assets and data. It is commonly used to distribute custom content and mods for games. PAK files are usually compressed using the Zlib compression algorithm. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: Dune on Wikipedia, The Novel that the Game is Based On, Dune on MobyGames
Final Fantasy (game archive file) by Square Enix
Final Fantasy is a series of sci-fi video games that use the PAK extension. A PAK file is a compressed archive that packs together multiple game files such as assets and data. It is commonly used to distribute custom content and mods for games. PAK files are usually compressed using the Zlib compression algorithm. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: Final Fantasy on Wikipedia
GCFScape (game archive file) by Ryan Gregg
GCFScape is a tool for viewing and unpacking game files. It supports several archive formats, including PAK. A PAK file is a compressed archive that packs together multiple game files such as assets and data. It is commonly used to distribute custom content and mods for games. PAK files are usually compressed using the Zlib compression algorithm. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: About GCFScape, GCFScape Introduction with PAK Reference
Half-Life (game archive file) by Valve
Half-Life is a series of first-person shooter games that use the PAK extension. A PAK file is a compressed archive that packs together multiple game files such as assets and data. It is commonly used to distribute custom content and mods for games. PAK files are usually compressed using the Zlib compression algorithm. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: Half-Life on Wikipedia, Half-Life on MobyGames
Hand of Fate (game archive file) by Defiant Development
Hand of Fate is a first-person shooter video game that uses the PAK extension. A PAK file is a compressed archive that packs together multiple game files such as assets and data. It is commonly used to distribute custom content and mods for games. PAK files are usually compressed using the Zlib compression algorithm. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: Hand of Fate on Wikipedia, Defiant Development on Wikipedia
Heretic (game archive file) by id Software
Heretic is a series of action video games that use the PAK extension. A PAK file is a compressed archive that packs together multiple game files such as assets and data. It is commonly used to distribute custom content and mods for games. PAK files are usually compressed using the Zlib compression algorithm. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: Heretic on Wikipedia, Heretic II on Wikipedia
Hexen (game archive file) by id Software
Hexen is a series of dark fantasy first-person shooter games that use the PAK extension. A PAK file is a compressed archive that packs together multiple game files such as assets and data. It is commonly used to distribute custom content and mods for games. PAK files are usually compressed using the Zlib compression algorithm. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: Hexen: Beyond Heretic on Wikipedia, Hexen II on Wikipedia
Infonie File
Lands of Lore (game archive file) by Virgin Interactive
Lands of Lore is a role-play video game that uses the PAK extension. A PAK file is a compressed archive that packs together multiple game files such as assets and data. It is commonly used to distribute custom content and mods for games. PAK files are usually compressed using the Zlib compression algorithm. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: Lands of Lore on Wikipedia, Play Online or Download Lands of Lore
PowerDesk (game archive file) by Avanquest
PowerDesk is a file management application from Avanquest with archiving and compression capability. It supports several archive formats, including PAK. A PAK file is a compressed archive that packs together multiple game files such as assets and data. It is commonly used to distribute custom content and mods for games. PAK files are usually compressed using the Zlib compression algorithm. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: PowerDesk on Wikipedia, PowerDesk User's Guide
Quake (game archive file) by id Software
Quake is a series of first-person shooter games that use the PAK extension. A PAK file is a compressed archive that packs together multiple game files such as assets and data. It is commonly used to distribute custom content and mods for games. PAK files are usually compressed using the Zlib compression algorithm. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: Quake on Wikipedia, id Software on Wikipedia, Quake Wiki
QuArk (game archive file) by Daniel Pharos
QuArk is a game editor for Quake and several other games. It can edit and create PAK files. A PAK file is a compressed archive that packs together multiple game files such as assets and data. It is commonly used to distribute custom content and mods for games. PAK files are usually compressed using the Zlib compression algorithm. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: QuArk Source Code, QuArk Information Base
Simutrans (game data file) by Simutrans Community
Simutrans is an open-source transportation simulation game. The game uses packages of PAK files called Paksets. Each PAK file is made of image and data files that control the objects in the simulation. Simutrans has its own command-line tool, Makeobj, to create PAK files. This file format is classified as Game. Related links: Simutrans on Wikipedia, Simutrans Wiki, Paksets for Simutrans, Simutrans Repository, Makeobj Tutorial
StuffIt (game archive file) by Smith Micro
StuffIt is a file compression and archiving application from Smith Micro. It supports several archive formats, including PAK. A PAK file is a compressed archive that packs together multiple game files such as assets and data. It is commonly used to distribute custom content and mods for games. PAK files are usually compressed using the Zlib compression algorithm. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: StuffIt on Wikipedia, StuffIt History
Trickstyle (game archive file) by Acclaim Entertainment
Trickstyle is an extreme sports and racing simulation video game that uses the PAK extension. A PAK file is a compressed archive that packs together multiple game files such as assets and data. It is commonly used to distribute custom content and mods for games. PAK files are usually compressed using the Zlib compression algorithm. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: Trickstyle on Wikipedia, Acclaim Entertainment on Wikipedia
WinRAR (game archive file) by RARLAB
WinRAR is a file compression and archiving program from RARLAB. It supports several archive formats, including PAK. A PAK file is a compressed archive that packs together multiple game files such as assets and data. It is commonly used to distribute custom content and mods for games. PAK files are usually compressed using the Zlib compression algorithm. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: WinRAR on Wikipedia, How to Extract Files with WinRAR

PAK file format:

If you can determine the file format, the associated program can also be determined. Often, the file format can be deduced from the file extension or the initial bytes (called the signature). If the file extension or signature does not match the file format, errors will occur when opening or editing the file. When there is a problem with a file, the first step to solving it is to determine the file format. Below is our analysis of the PAK files:

The PAK extension is very commonly found and covers different formats for different programs. The file formats most commonly found in PAK files are:

20% of all PAK files start with the bytes 00 00 00 00, which are crucial for this file format. These are binary files, so they do not contain words or text. The file size is in the range of 120 KB to 7 GB. It is a modern file type. The keywords None are typical for these files. The following filename is common: pakchunk0-WindowsNoEditor.pak. These files can be linked to client, android, astc, mods, audio and game.
15% of all PAK files start with the magic bytes Ú9£î^kK 2U¿ï, which are always the first bytes of this file format. They consist of illegible, cryptic characters. PAK files are between 5 KB and 8 MB in size. The following keywords are characteristic: y-we. The file name game_patch_1.2020-06-01336.pak or game_patch_1.2020-06-01337.pak is typical for these files. Files like these are about patch, core, notbasicin, tempmini, base and damage.

The remaining 65% of all PAK files are files with no common format, such as HBuilder language package, Quake archive, Starbound game data archive, No Man's Sky game data, Gothic 3 game data archive, Sygic map, ZIP, zlib, UnityFS, JPG, RIFF, PNG, GZIP, tHLP, KPKA and jfY. Often described as percent, mini, chrome, devtools, chunk, bundle or asset. If you want to find out what your PAK file contains, drag and drop it onto this page.

Technical Data for PAK File Extension

File classification:

Compressed

Related files:

zip, obb, pack, sav, ucas, rar, ini, utoc, sig, dll, exe, 7z, flist, apk, so, info, asar, pac, dat, res, z02, z01

Mime type:

application/octet-stream

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: File.Pak, FileType: ZipGenius Pak File, AppName: zipgenius

ProgramID: File.Pak, FileType: ZipGenius Pak File, AppName: ZipGenius 1.4 Service Release 3

ProgramID: Filzip, FileType: Filzip file, AppName: Filzip
EXEFile: Filzip.exe

ProgramID: PowerDesk Archive, FileType: PowerDesk Archive, AppName: PowerDesk

ProgramID: PowerDesk.Archive, FileType: PowerDesk.Archive, AppName: PowerDesk
EXEFile: PDExplo.exe

ProgramID: PowerDesk.Archive, FileType: PowerDesk.Archive, AppName: PowerDesk Pro

ProgramID: StuffIt.Compressed.File.Expand, FileType: StuffIt Compressed File, AppName: StuffIt for Windows 8.0
EXEFile: stuffit.exe

ProgramID: StuffItArchive, AppName: Aladdin Expander

ProgramID: StuffItArchive, FileType: Aladdin StuffIt Archive

ProgramID: ZipItFast!, FileType: ZipItFast! File, AppName: ZipItFast!
EXEFile: ZIPITF~1.EXE

ProgramID: ZipMagic PAK

ProgramID: File.Pak
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ZipGenius 5\zipgenius.exe -open %1

ProgramID: ForeSight DXM Project Archive
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\TDS\ForeSight DXM\ForeSightDXM.exe %1

ProgramID: PowerDesk.Archive
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Ontrack\PowerDesk\PDExplo.exe %1

ProgramID: PowerDesk.Archive
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\VCOM\PowerDesk\PDExplo.exe %1

ProgramID: PowerDesk.Archive
EXEFile: Y:\Ontrack\PowerDesk\PDExplo.exe %1

ProgramID: StuffIt.Compressed.File.Expand
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Aladdin Systems\StuffIt Standard\stuffit.exe -expand %1 -from_shell

ProgramID: StuffIt.Compressed.File.Expand
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\StuffIt Standard\stuffit.exe -expand %1 -from_shell

ProgramID: ZipZag.pak
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ZipZag\zipzag.exe %1

ProgramID: StuffItArchive
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Aladdin Systems\StuffIt 7.0\Expander\Expander.exe %1

ProgramID: File.Pak
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\!Ute\ZipGenius 5\zipgenius.exe -open %1

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

ProgramID: IZArc
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\IZARC\IZARC.EXE %1

ProgramID: QPed.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\QPed\QPed.exe %1

ProgramID: ALZip.Pak
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ALZip\ALZip.exe %1

ProgramID: SokobanPPLevel
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Sokoban++\Sokoban.exe %1

ProgramID: QZ4..pak
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\QuickZip4\QuickZip.exe %1

ProgramID: Qzip.pak
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\QuickZip\Quickzip.exe %1

ProgramID: StuffIt.Compressed.File.Expand
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Aladdin Systems\StuffIt 7.5\stuffit.exe -expand %1 -from_shell

ProgramID: UltimateZip
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ULTIMA~1\uzip.exe %1

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

ProgramID: DUP5.Files
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Dragon UnPACKer 5\drgunpack5.exe

ProgramID: IZArcPAK
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\IZArc\IZArc.exe

ProgramID: uzip
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ULTIMA~1\uzip.exe

ProgramID: PowerDesk.Archive
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PowerDesk\PDExplo.exe

ProgramID: CuteZip.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\GLOBAL~1\CuteZIP\CuteZip.exe

ProgramID: UltimateZip
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\UTILIT~1\ULTIMA~1.7\uzip.exe

ProgramID: ALZip.pak
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ESTsoft\ALZip\ALZip.exe

ProgramID: BraZipPak
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\BraZip\BraZip.exe

ProgramID: File.Pak
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ZipGenius 6\zipgenius.exe -open

ProgramID: UltimateZip
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\UltimateZip 2.7\uzip.exe

ProgramID: Filzip
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Filzip\Filzip.exe

ProgramID: StuffItArchive
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Aladdin Systems\StuffIt 7.0.2\Expander\Expander.exe

ProgramID: IZArcPAK
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\IZArc\IZArc.exe

Show all 44 listings To Top

a pak game archive file is a special file format by Corel and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with PAK files

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