File RollerLinux
vs
WinAceWindows
File Roller as a Linux alternative to WinAce
Updated
Our verdict
File Roller can replace WinAce for most everyday archiving tasks on Linux, especially if you mainly work with ZIP, TAR and common compression formats. It offers a GNOME‑integrated GUI, drag‑and‑drop, and command‑line access via the same back‑ends. Users who still need to handle ACE archives or want built‑in RAR support will have to install additional tools (e.g., unace, unrar) and configure File Roller to call them, so it’s a good fit for users comfortable adding small helper utilities.
- License
- GPL-2.0+
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 44.7 (June 22, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Graphical archive manager with GNOME integration
- Create, extract and modify ZIP archives
- Drag‑and‑drop support from the file manager
- Password protection for ZIP files
- Command‑line interface via underlying tools
What is different
- No native ACE support; requires external unace/unace‑gtk
- No built‑in RAR handling; needs unrar or 7‑zip backend
- Does not handle CAB archives out of the box
- File Roller focuses on tar‑based formats (gz, bz2, xz) which WinAce did not support
- WinAce offered a Windows‑only shell extension, while File Roller relies on GNOME’s file manager
Opening your WinAce files
File Roller can open ZIP archives created by WinAce without issues. For ACE files you must install the unace package and associate it with File Roller; extraction will work, but creation of new ACE archives is not supported. RAR and CAB files can be opened if unrar and appropriate cab extraction tools are installed, but File Roller will not create them.
Switching from WinAce to File Roller, step by step
- Install File Roller from your distro’s repository (e.g., sudo apt install file-roller).
- Add ACE support: sudo apt install unace and configure File Roller to use it.
- Add RAR support: sudo apt install unrar and ensure the 7‑zip backend is enabled.
- Add CAB support: install cabextract if needed.
- Test opening a sample .ace, .rar and .cab file from the file manager.
- If you need to create ACE archives, keep a Windows machine or use a virtual machine with WinAce.
Key features of File Roller
- Open and extract common archive formats (zip, tar, gzip, bzip2, xz)
- Create new archives in zip, tar, and compressed tar formats
- Add files to existing archives
- View archive contents without extraction
- Password-protect zip files
- Integrates with GNOME Files (Nautilus)
- Supports drag-and-drop from file manager
- Can use command-line backends like tar, gzip, 7z
How to install File Roller on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.gnome.FileRollersudo apt install file-rollersudo apt install file-rollersudo dnf install file-rollersudo pacman -S file-rollersudo zypper install file-rollerFrequently asked questions
Can File Roller create ACE archives?
No. It can only extract ACE archives when the unace helper is installed.
Do I need to install anything extra for RAR files?
Yes, install the unrar package (or 7‑zip) and File Roller will call it for extraction.
Is File Roller suitable for command‑line use?
File Roller itself is a GUI, but it uses standard CLI tools (tar, gzip, 7z, etc.) that you can invoke directly.
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