All about PAR2 Files

The PAR2 file type is primarily associated with par2cmdline.

PAR2	File extension: PAR2
	File type:	parity file

What is a PAR2 file?

PAR2 files mostly belong to par2cmdline by Parchive Development Team. PAR2 is an extension is that used compressed Parity Archive files. These types of files are created by a software called Parchive.

Main uses: Everytime a user backups their hard drive data and creates a copy of the information inside it, a PAR2 file is created. PAR2 files are often used for purposes of data archive recovery. Thus, when or if a multi-part archive is lost and the data is missing, this file helps in recovering the missing data. There are two versions of the software that creates these files. Files created by the first version are given the extension PAR, while PAR2 files are created by the second version of Parchive. PAR2 files are usually used to improve the safety of storing and archiving audio or media files, hence why various media player utilities support these files.
Adoption: PAR2 files are mostly found on Windows-based operating systems alone. There is a range of different programs that operate in these systems that can open and edit PAR2 files. Utilities like WinRAR, QuickPar can be used to open them. On the other hand media players like iTunes, Final Media Player and TOK Player can do so as well.

How to open a PAR2 file

You need a suitable software like par2cmdline to open a PAR2 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 PAR2 file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a PAR2 file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online PAR2 Text Viewer

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Programs that open and convert PAR2 files:

par2cmdline by Parchive Development Team
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. PAR2 files are often referred to as par2cmdline data files because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
MacPar (parity file) by Loek Jehee and Gerard Putter
MacPar is a graphical utility for macOS that processes Parchive files with the PAR2 extension. The program was initally developed by Loek Jehee and a newer version was created by Gerard Putter.Parchive (short for Parity Volume Set Specification) is a system of verifying the integrity of archive files through a parity check. The verification is used for data-recovery. PAR2 is the parity file that stores data about file integrity. It does not itself hold any recoverable data from the archive. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: Loek Jehee's Version of MacPar, Parchive on Wikipedia, Parchive Repository, Parchive Original Repository (Inactive), Simple Introduction to PAR2 Files
PyPar2 (parity file) by François Ingelrest
PyPar2 is a graphical program for Linux that processes Parchive files with the PAR2 extension. The program is written in Python. Parchive (short for Parity Volume Set Specification) is a system of verifying the integrity of archive files through a parity check. The verification is used for data-recovery. PAR2 is the parity file that stores data about file integrity. It does not itself hold any recoverable data from the archive. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: PAR2 and PyPar2 Tutorial, Parchive on Wikipedia, Parchive Repository, Parchive Original Repository (Inactive), Simple Introduction to PAR2 Files
QuickPar (parity file) by Peter B. Clements
QuickPar is a graphical utility for creating Parchive files with the PAR2 extension. The utility was developed by the original authors of Parchive. Parchive (short for Parity Volume Set Specification) is a system of verifying the integrity of archive files through a parity check. The verification is used for data-recovery. PAR2 is the parity file that stores data about file integrity. It does not itself hold any recoverable data from the archive. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: QuickPar on Wikipedia, Parchive on Wikipedia, Parchive Repository, Parchive Original Repository (Inactive), Simple Introduction to PAR2 Files

PAR2 format details:

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). 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. In the following you will find our evaluation of the PAR2 files:

PAR2 is not that commonly used as a file extension. This file type is primarily used by a single program. But the following two file formats are common:

97% of all PAR2 files belong to Parity Archive Volume Set. If you open these files in a text editor, you will see only illegible characters. The files are often between 5 KB and 14 MB in size. The file type is old but is used even today. The keywords PAR2, PAR 2.0, RecvSlic, FileDesc and PKTD are typical for these files. Such PAR2 files store data about music, various, archive, audio and video.

The remaining 3% of all PAR2 files are different files with different signatures. Often described as silver. If you want to find out what your PAR2 file contains, drag and drop it onto this page.

Technical Data for PAR2 File Extension

File classification:

Data

Related files:

par, part2, zip, pr2, rar, mkv, apk, exe, ink, sgm, xrf

Mime type:

application/x-par, application/x-par2, application/x-par3

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: PAR2_Recovery_Volume
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\QuickPar\QuickPar.exe %1

ProgramID: PAR2_Recovery_Volume
EXEFile: G:\qpar\QuickPar.exe %1

ProgramID: PAR2_Recovery_Volume
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\QuickPar 0.8\QuickPar.exe

a par2 parity file is a special file format by Parchive Development Team and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with PAR2 files

Associate the PAR2 file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open parity files. Because only the current version supports the latest PAR2 file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Parchive Development Team manufacturer website after an available par2cmdline update.
To make sure that your PAR2 file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
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