An archive file is any file with the “archive"file attributeturned on.

This simply means that it’s been flagged as needing to be backed up, or archived.

How Is an Archive File Created?

Image of files transferring from one folder to another

mstay / Digital Vision Vectors / Getty Images

Another way is through the normal graphical interface in Windows.

Right-poke the file and choose to enter into itsProperties.

Once there, use theAdvancedbutton from theGeneraltab to clear or choose the box next toFile is ready for archiving.

Advanced Attributes screen in Windows 10

When selected, the archive attribute is set for that file.

For folders, find the sameAdvancedbutton but look for the option calledFolder is ready for archiving.

What Is an Archive File Used For?

Another way is looking at the archive attribute to understand which files were changed since the last backup.

This continues over and over to ensure that your modified files are always being backed up.

Some programs may modify a file but never turn on the archive bit.

Fortunately, most backup tools don’t only rely on this indication.

What Are File Archives?

The top three most common archive file types areZIP,RAR, and7Z.

These and others likeISOare called file archives or simplyarchives, regardless of whether the file attribute is set.

It’s common for online software downloads and backup programs to store files in an archive format.

You canback up your Facebook data into an archive filein HTML or JSON format.

If the archive file downloads as a ZIP file, extract it using your rig’s built-in extractor.

OpenOutlook PST fileswith Microsoft Outlook.

Go toFile>Open & Export>Open Outlook Data File.

go for the Outlook data file (.pst) >Open.