Archive Utilities for DOS
(Archive managers, identifiers, arc file listers and viewers, unpackers) Also see File Management Utilitites.

Ratings: [* fair] to [* * * * * excellent]

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Aview (NCAV) - Archive front end for PKZIP, LHA, ARJ, RAR, UC2, ZOO, ARC, PAK, etc..

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AVIEW (aka NCAV) is a mouse driven front end for common DOS archivers. Archived files are shown in a single pane list and file manipulation is achieved by tagging files and issuing commands from a menu at the bottom of the screen. Effortless one-step conversions between archive formats is a particular strength of AVIEW- a feature lacking in the best Windows archivers. External archivers are required for conversion, packing, and unpacking routines. Custom compression routines are possible by editing a configuration file. Simple file management capabilities are built into Aview as well. Aview may corrupt video under Windows (this is frequent on both my laptop and desktop) and for unknown reasons runs very slowly under OS/2 on my Pentium. Also see AinView.

download ncav48bd.zip (old beta release)


AinView - Archive shell supports numerous archive formats.

* * * * reviewed 7-2-97

AinView does not differ substantially from AVIEW in terms of interface or features. External archive programs required.

  • Significant differences from Aview:
    1. AinView can only be run by supplying the program an archive filename on the command line- there is no "File Open" or directory viewing option. AinView can be used as a helper program for file managers without built-in archive management.
    2. Cannot convert files from one archive format to another.
    3. Not mouse compatible. Keyboard only.
  • On the plus side:
    1. More archive formats supported: ACE, AIN, ARC, ARJ, ARX, COD, DWC, ESP, HA, HPK, HYP, ICE, JAR, LHA, LIM, MAR, MD, PAK, PUT, RAR, RKV, SAR, SHK, SQZ, UC, UFA, YAC, ZIP, ZET, ZOO, ZPK.
    2. Easy configuration.
    3. Fast.
    4. Can test archived files for integrity.
    5. Polished interface.
    6. No obvious bugs

    download pci-a174.zip


    Jup- command line archive identifier, lister, unpacker.

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    Jup is a command line archive identifier and extraction utility. It's principal strength lies in its ability to identify countless archive types- from the familiar PKZIP, to the more exotic EXE packers. It also identifies many non-archive file types. It is best suited to use in batch files. External archivers are required to list or unpack files from an archive. Jup is highly configurable -new archivers can be added to it's predefined list. Customization requires some effort (reading the long documentation). If you enjoy using the command line and/or writing custom batch files, this utility will serve you well.

    download jup170us.zip


    Shaid (Archid)- command line archive identifier.

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    Shaid (executable name is Archid) can identify nearly any archive file type in use today, including many self-extracting archives (those which have an *.exe extension). This is probably a utility best suited to the BBS operator- but is can also be valuable to the home user. Although Shaid can be used as an extraction utility, it is somewhat cumbersome in that role. I prefer Jup for both identification (provides more information on archive subversions) and extraction- but Shaid can identify the latest archivers. Also see: Analyzer.

    download shaid230.zip


    PKzoom- Menu driven file finder and ZIP file extractor.

    * * reviewed 6-2-97

    Pkzoom comes from the PKZIP people at PKWare- it is a mouse driven file finder that can search inside zip files and manipulate (test, extract, delete) archived files. I classify it with the arc utils because it can manipulate zip files. This app requires PKUNZIP. I don't find the interface particularly pleasing because 1) the mouse action is a bit unorthodox and 2) the menus are somewhat confusing on first inspection. However, with a little practice it is easy to use. Recommended if you desire a simple, menu driven file finder. Also included in this package is a command line analog of PKzoom: PKzfind. It can't manipulate ZIP files.

    The program help says a registration fee of 35 bucks is "strongly encouraged." But the docs say individual users don't have to register it.

    download pkzf15.zip


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    (c)1997 Richard L. Green