ACE File Extension

WinAce Compressed Format

File Type ace
Developer WinAce
Popularity
4.4 (47 votes)
Application WinACE Archiver
Category Compressed Files
Format Binary

What is a ACE file?

Files with the ACE extension are specifically tied to WinAce Compressed Format, a Compressed Files type, and there are 820 files in this category.

ACE file support extends to various operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS and Linux. When working with ACE files, you can rely on 11 programs, including WinACE Archiver, ZipZag and ZIPGenius.

MIME types

application/x-ace
application/x-compressed

File Signature

HEX code: 2A 2A 41 43 45 2A 2A. ASCII code: **ACE**.

Windows

Mac OS

Linux

How to open a ACE file?

If you can’t open a ACE file, it is usually because the necessary software is missing. To resolve the issue, select the right program from the list for your operating system. Then go to the official website of the developer, download the software, and install it.

Thanks to their popularity, WinACE Archiver, ZipZag and ZIPGenius are often the go-to programs for managing ACE files. To install the updated version of WinACE Archiver, simply go to the e-merge GmbH site and download the installer compatible with all major platforms.

After installation, your operating system should automatically open ACE files with WinACE Archiver.

Set WinACE Archiver as your default ACE viewer

Set default app to open files on Mac

Right-click or Control + left-click on the desired ACE file to open a menu of available actions;
Choose "Open in Application" and click "Other";
Next, at the bottom of the window, you will see the "Enable" menu, in which "Recommended Programs" is selected by default;
In this menu, select "All Programs", then find WinACE Archiver and check the box next to "Always open in the application."

Change a default app in Windows

Take the first step by right-clicking on your ACE file. Next, select "Open With" and then choose "Choose another app" from the available options;
From the list of applications in the pop-up window, find and select WinACE Archiver as your desired application;
Check the "Always use this app" checkbox, and then click "OK" to set your chosen app as the default for opening ACE files.

Solving Common ACE File Challenges

There are some common issues with ACE files that can be resolved easily by making minor adjustments to your software. Below, you’ll find these issues along with practical troubleshooting tips.

Why does WinACE Archiver stop responding or crash intermittently?

Lack of software updates is a possible reason behind WinACE Archiver crash. Keep your e-merge GmbH products up to date by installing the latest updates.

A simple restart of your computer can often fix many common problems, which is why it is the recommended first step before making any adjustments to your software settings.

What are the best practices for repairing a ACE file that has gone bad?

In a data recovery program, open the damaged ACE file and select the "Repair" menu option. Wait for the recovery process to finish as it will automatically restore the damaged compressed files.

How do I know if my ACE file has been damaged?

Characteristics of corrupted ACE compressed files can include:

Error alerts occur when actions are performed on the file;
Editing the archive in WinACE Archiver is hampered by poor overall performance;
The file encounters problems during the opening process or shows error indications;
An unexplained increase in the size of the ACE file;
The file causes WinACE Archiver or other software to hang or crash during various operations;

How to edit a ACE file?

To modify ACE files, you need to install special software that makes it possible to open and edit compressed files. Online ACE editors are more restricted compared to software designed for WinAce Compressed Format.

Best ACE editors 2026

Based on these criteria, we have prepared a list of available ACE editors.

ACE Editor Software	Developer	Platforms	Overall Rating
WinACE Archiver	e-merge GmbH	Windows	4.5 out of 5 (44 reviews)

Convert files to and from ACE

If obstacles arise while working with a ACE file, you may convert it to formats like ZIP, 7Z, 008, 7-ZIP, 7ZIP or other similar types for smoother handling.

After converting a ACE file, some capabilities may be limited, but you can often convert it back to the original format.

Several applications, including ALZip, can convert ACE files offline without quality loss.