Our Commitment
Privacy First
We prioritize user privacy by providing robust encryption options that ensure your data remains secure while being compressed. Arkive's design allows for seamless integration of security protocols.
Performance Focus
Our goal is to deliver high-performance compression without compromising speed or quality. Arkive efficiently handles various file formats while retaining optimal performance for our users.
User-Centric
We strive to create an intuitive user experience by incorporating drag-and-drop functionality and a clean interface, making file compression accessible for everyone.
Community Driven
As an open-source utility, we believe in collaboration and community engagement, allowing users to contribute to our development and improvement process.
Explore Arkive
Our Vision
Arkive is a free and open-source file compression utility focused on privacy and performance. We support multiple formats like .arcx, .zip, and .7z while offering AES encryption for enhanced data security. Our mission is to empower users with effective tools that protect their information without sacrificing ease of use.
Our Values
We believe in maintaining transparency, ensuring our users are informed and confident in our services. Arkive promotes innovation and community collaboration to continually enhance user experience and software capabilities.
Arkive – User Manual / FAQ
What is Arkive?
Arkive is a sleek, open-source file compression and encryption tool for Windows. It supports .arcx, .zip, .7z, and .tar formats and includes strong AES encryption for .arcx files. Built for simplicity, speed, and security.
Features
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Compress files into .arcx, .zip, .7z, or .tar
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Extract from .arcx, .zip, and .7z
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Secure AES encryption for .arcx
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Sleek modern UI with optional dark mode
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File explorer & drag-and-drop support
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Right-click integration with Windows
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Open-source and free for all
How do I compress files?
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Launch Arkive.
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Click on the Compress tab.
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Select files or folders to compress.
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Choose a name and format for your archive.
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(Optional) Set a password for .arcx or .zip.
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Click OK to start compressing.
How do I extract files?
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Click on the Extract tab.
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Select your archive file (.arcx, .zip, .7z).
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Choose a destination folder.
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(If encrypted) Enter the password.
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Done!
What is .arcx?
.arcx is Arkive's custom archive format, offering:
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Better compression using Zstandard
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Optional AES-256 encryption
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Designed for performance and future extensibility
🔐How does encryption work?
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Arkive uses AES-256-CBC encryption via a password.
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Your data is never sent online.
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Only .arcx and .zip support password protection currently.
How do I use Arkive from right-click menu?
After installing:
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Right-click any file or folder
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Choose:
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“Compress with Arkive” to create an archive
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“Extract with Arkive” to unpack supported archives
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If you don’t see these options, try restarting your PC or reinstalling.
💡 How do I change themes?
In Settings, toggle between:
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Light Mode (default)
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Dark Mode (modern UI)
📁 Where are the icons and logos?
All app assets are inside the assets/ folder and packaged with the installer. You can replace them if you wish to customize your build.
Is Arkive cross-platform?
Currently, Arkive is available for Windows only. Plans for Mac and Linux support are in progress.
Where is the source code?
A Github link will be added soon
The full source code and documentation are available under the MIT License.
Release Notes – Arkive v1.5
Release Date: August 2025
🔧 New Features
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✅ Custom .arcx format with Zstandard + AES encryption
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✅ .zip, .7z, and .tar support for compression/extraction
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✅ Optional password protection
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✅ Integrated drag and drop support
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✅ Stylish new interface with dark mode toggle
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✅ Integrated file explorer for previews
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✅ Right-click context menu integration for .arcx
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✅ Installer built with Inno Setup
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Adds desktop icon
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Associates .arcx with Arkive
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Adds “Compress with Arkive” and “Extract with Arkive” options
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🛠️ Improvements
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Optimized threading for faster compression
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Enhanced error handling for extraction issues
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New icons and visual polish across app
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Auto-cleanup for temporary files
🪲 Known Issues
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.tar archives do not support encryption
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Some antivirus tools may flag unsigned .exe ( code signing soon)
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SmartScreen warning may appear if unsigned
📢 Coming Soon
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Native preview of archive contents
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Multi-platform support
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Auto-updater and patching
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Advanced compression modes (AI-assisted)
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Command-line mode for power users
