.ACE File Extension

WinAce Compressed Archive

Developer	E-merge
Popularity	Average rating 3.5 / 5. Vote count: 37
Category	Compressed Files
Format	.ACE
Cross Platform	Update Soon

What is an ACE file?

The .ACE file extension represents a compressed archive format used by WinAce, a file archiver and compression utility. It is designed to compress files and folders into a single archive, making them easier to store or share.

More Information.

WinAce was developed in the late 1990s, with the .ACE format emerging as a response to the need for more efficient file compression. The primary goal was to provide a more effective compression ratio than the existing formats like .ZIP and .RAR. The .ACE format aimed to combine high compression ratios with relatively fast processing speeds.

Origin Of This File.

The .ACE format was introduced by the WinAce software developed by e-merge GmbH. The format was designed to offer efficient compression algorithms that could produce smaller archive sizes compared to some of its contemporaries.

File Structure Technical Specification.

Compression Algorithms: The .ACE format supports various compression methods, including standard and advanced algorithms that provide a balance between speed and compression efficiency.
File Headers: .ACE files contain headers that store metadata about the archive, such as file names, compression method, and sizes.
Split Archives: .ACE supports multi-volume archives, allowing large archives to be split into smaller, manageable parts.

How to Convert the File?

Windows

Extract the .ACE File:
- WinAce: Open the .ACE file with WinAce and extract its contents.
- WinRAR: Right-click the .ACE file, select “Extract Here” or “Extract to [folder name]” to extract the contents.
Re-compress the Extracted Files:
- Using WinRAR: Select the extracted files, right-click, choose “Add to archive,” and select your desired format (e.g., .ZIP, .7Z) in the archive settings.
- Using 7-Zip: Select the extracted files, right-click, choose “7-Zip” > “Add to archive,” and select the desired format.

Linux

Extract the .ACE File:
- p7zip: Use the command 7z x file.ace in the terminal to extract the contents.
- unar: Install unar if not already installed, then use unar file.ace to extract.
Re-compress the Extracted Files:
- Using Command Line: For .ZIP, use zip -r archive.zip /path/to/extracted/files. For .7Z, use 7z a archive.7z /path/to/extracted/files.
- Using GUI Tools: File managers like Nautilus or Dolphin can be used with built-in or additional archive tools to re-compress files.

Mac

Extract the .ACE File:
- The Unarchiver: Open the .ACE file with The Unarchiver to extract its contents.
- Keka: Drag and drop the .ACE file onto Keka to extract it.
Re-compress the Extracted Files:
- Using Finder: Select the extracted files, right-click, choose “Compress Items” to create a .ZIP file.
- Using Keka: Open Keka, select the extracted files, and choose the desired format (e.g., .ZIP, .7Z) for compression.

Android

Extract the .ACE File:
- RAR for Android: Open the app, locate the .ACE file, and extract it.
- ZArchiver: Open the app, navigate to the .ACE file, and extract it.
Re-compress the Extracted Files:
- RAR for Android: Use the app to select the extracted files, then choose “Add to archive” and select your desired format.
- ZArchiver: After extraction, use the app to select the files and create a new archive in your desired format.

iOS

Extract the .ACE File:
- iZip: Open iZip, locate the .ACE file, and extract it.
- Documents by Readdle: Use the app to extract the contents of the .ACE file.
Re-compress the Extracted Files:
- iZip: After extraction, use iZip to create a new archive in your desired format.
- Documents by Readdle: Use the app to re-compress the files into a format like .ZIP.

Others

Online Tools:
- Extract: Use online services like Extract.me to extract .ACE files.
- Convert: After extracting the files, use other online converters to compress the extracted files into your desired format, such as ConvertFiles or similar services.

Advantages And Disadvantages.

Advantages:

High Compression Ratio: Often achieves better compression ratios compared to other formats.
Multi-Volume Support: Can split large archives into smaller parts for easier handling.
Strong Encryption: Supports strong encryption methods for securing archived data.

Disadvantages:

Limited Support: Fewer tools and platforms support .ACE files compared to more common formats like .ZIP.
Proprietary Format: WinAce is proprietary software, meaning users may be restricted in terms of compatibility and usage.

How to Open ACE?

Open In Windows

WinAce: The native application for .ACE files.
WinRAR: Supports extracting .ACE files even though it’s not its primary format.
7-Zip: Can extract .ACE files but requires additional plugins or updates.

Open In Linux

p7zip: A command-line tool that can handle .ACE files with appropriate plugins.
unar: A tool that can extract .ACE files.
Ark: A graphical archive manager that may support .ACE with the necessary plugins installed.

Open In MAC

The Unarchiver: A popular tool that can handle .ACE files.
Keka: Another tool that supports .ACE extraction.

Open In Android

RAR for Android: Can extract .ACE files.
ZArchiver: A versatile archive manager that supports .ACE files.

Open In IOS

iZip: A file management tool that can handle .ACE files.
Documents by Readdle: Can extract .ACE files with appropriate extensions or plugins.