Very often, many users are faced with a problem that, when trying to unpack a file copied from somewhere or downloaded from the Internet with packed data in RAR or ZIP format, the program gives an error message informing about the discovery of an unexpected end of the archive. How to fix this situation, not all ordinary users know. Therefore, we propose to consider several basic techniques that will help in solving this issue. If you cannot completely restore the archive, then with a high degree of probability you will be able to extract the files without losing their integrity.
What does “Unexpected end of archive” mean?
To get started, let's focus on what constitutes such an unexpected failure. In most cases, it, like a similar CRC data error, can be interpreted as a file with a broken integrity, for example, due to an interrupted download. That is, if the checksums do not match, it is incomplete, and the program requires the components that are not in the archive to continue the extraction.
How to unzip a zip file to your computer?
For those who do not know the answer to this question, you can give advice to use either the built-in Windows tool, which is available in all recent versions of the system, or third-party WinRAR or 7-Zip software. You can open the archive either in such applications, or simply double-click on the archive in any file manager (in the same "Explorer").
A simple method to resolve the issue
If suddenly the error “Unexpected end of archive” occurred, how to fix the situation the easiest? Based on the above interpretation, you can immediately determine for yourself the easiest way to get out of this situation. You just need to go to the site from which the file was downloaded and download the archive again. It may well be that the file was initially in a damaged state, so you have to turn to another resource, from where it will be possible to download again. But with a sufficiently large volume of the downloaded file and paid traffic, this is not an option. Therefore, we consider other methods.
WinRAR Toolkit
So, the file unpacking application issued a notification that an unexpected end of the archive was detected. How to fix the packed data file itself? There is nothing easier than using the universal WinRAR archiver. It is desirable to select a file in it through its own manager, and when using a double click, go one line up so that only the archive itself is selected, and not its contents.
The rest is simple. The error in WinRAR is eliminated by selecting the archive restore item in the operations menu or by pressing the restore button, which is located on the right side of the main program panel. Now the most important thing. The application will ask you to specify the type of archive data.
To unzip the ZIP file on the computer, you will need to specify this format, and then confirm the execution of the selected action. As practice shows, a positive result (if there are no critical damage in the archive) can be achieved with a very high degree of probability of recovery.
How to use file-based data extraction
In some cases, the previous technique does not work, and the program for working with packed data still gives notifications about the discovery of an unexpected end of the archive. How to fix the situation in this case?
Again, you can use the tools of the WinRAR archiver itself, but in the extraction confirmation window, check the option to save files unzipped with errors on the disk.
You can also use data mining one by one. To do this, select the desired object from the list, and then through PCM specify the extraction to the specified location or select the copy of the selected file to the clipboard in the same menu and then paste it into the desired location. In this case, only the marked object will be unpacked, and all other files will remain intact in the archive.
Other programs
Finally, if none of the above methods gave a result, you can use the Recovery Toolbox for RAR utility. However, this application is paid. The free trial version can only analyze corrupted archives. If you need this program, but do not want to pay, try looking for a portable modification.