Ark

What Ark is

Ark is a free graphical utility from KDE for creating, browsing, extracting, and modifying files in compressed archives. It can preview file contents without extracting them. Supported formats include tar, gzip, bzip2, zip, rar, 7z, xz, rpm, cab, deb, xar, AppImage, and CD-ROM images. Ark also supports archive encryption, split archives, and command-line tools. The listed platforms are Linux and Windows. On Linux, KDE offers installation through AppStream application stores, distribution package managers, and Flathub. The KDE page also lists a Windows nightly installer for testing. Ark is licensed under GPL-2.0+. KDE links to the Ark Handbook, UserBase Wiki, and KDE Forum for help, as well as a bug-reporting page and source code. KDE describes itself as an international community developing free and open-source software, represented in legal and financial matters by KDE e.V., a registered nonprofit in Germany.

Who it suits

Ark suits Linux and Windows users who need a graphical way to work with archives. Its preview, encryption, and split archive support may be useful for common archive tasks.

Getting started

1. On Linux, find Ark through an AppStream application store, your distribution’s package manager, or Flathub.
2. On Windows, use the nightly installer provided on KDE’s Ark page for testing.
3. Open Ark to browse, create, extract, or modify archives.

Verdict

Ark provides archive creation and extraction alongside previewing and support for many formats. Linux installation options are listed, while the Windows download provided on the KDE page is a nightly testing installer.