# Inspect & unpack archive > Browser-only file conversion. Selected files are processed on this device and are not uploaded to a conversion server. Source: https://localconverter.tech/archive-browser Inspect supported archive contents as a JSON inventory or save matching entries together in a ZIP. Filter paths with an optional contains value to focus on useful files. The tool checks archive paths and expansion limits, rejects encrypted or symbolic-link entries, and supports RAR as an extraction input rather than a creation format. ## Useful tasks - List the files inside an archive - Extract only paths containing a project name - Unpack supported RAR content into a ZIP ## Steps 1. **Choose a supported archive**: Upload one ZIP, 7Z, TAR, RAR or supported compressed file. Encrypted archives, symbolic links and unsafe member paths are rejected rather than extracted into the result. 2. **Choose inventory or extraction**: Select File inventory for a JSON list or Files as a safe ZIP for extracted content. Enter optional path text to keep only matching entries. 3. **Inspect and create the result**: Run Create result to read and filter the contents. The archive is limited to one thousand entries and one hundred megabytes of expanded content. 4. **Review names before reuse**: Download the inventory or ZIP and inspect the listed paths and sizes. Extracted files still need to be opened in their appropriate applications for the work you intend. ## Settings - **Result**: Choose result according to the result you need. Available choices: File inventory (JSON); Files as a safe ZIP. The initial selection is File inventory (JSON). - **Keep paths containing (optional)**: Keep paths containing (optional) is applied to this tool job. Use the value or syntax described in the example below. Leave it blank only when the field is described as optional. ## Finding project documents inside a ZIP A handoff archive includes several project folders and only alpha documents are needed. Enter alpha in the path filter and choose inventory to inspect matches. If they are correct, run extraction to package those matching entries into a new ZIP. ## Check the result Choose a file or enter text where available. Review the settings, create your result and download the new copy. RAR extraction only. Encrypted archives, symbolic links and unsafe paths are rejected. Up to 1,000 entries and 100 MB expanded. Open the saved output in the app or workflow where you plan to use it. Check one representative result before repeating the same settings with more files. The original files stay unchanged. ## Limits - ZIP, TAR and gzip archives are supported. RAR, 7Z, BZ2 and XZ codecs are not included in this browser build. - Files are processed on this device. Browser memory and engine-specific limits apply. Save results before reloading. - RAR extraction only. Encrypted archives, symbolic links and unsafe paths are rejected. Up to 1,000 entries and 100 MB expanded. - Upload one file with a combined size of at most 100 MB. The completed output must fit within 200 MB. - Files are checked by the local engine; a matching filename alone is not proof of valid contents. - Selections and completed jobs stay available while you navigate inside this tab. Use My files to revisit results. Reloading or closing the tab clears the workspace; download results you want to keep first. ## Questions ### Is the path filter case-sensitive? No. The contains filter matches text against paths without regard to letter case. It is a substring match rather than a filename pattern language, so a broad word may match both directory names and file names. ### Can I create a RAR archive? No. RAR is accepted for inspection and extraction only. Extracted content can be packaged as a safe ZIP here; use Create an archive for the supported creation formats such as ZIP, 7Z and compressed TAR. ### Why are symbolic links rejected? The extraction workflow supports safe file and directory content and rejects symbolic-link entries and unsafe paths. This avoids treating an archive link as an ordinary file and ensures the output remains within the supported extraction representation. ### What do inventory entries contain? The JSON inventory lists matching paths, byte sizes and whether an entry represents a directory. It is an overview of extracted archive members rather than a preview of each document’s content or a guarantee that every file is usable. ### Does Inspect & unpack archive upload files to another service? Processing runs in this browser, on your device. Files and pasted input are not uploaded to a conversion server. The website and required engine assets must load first; large operations depend on available device memory. ### Can I continue after changing pages? Selections and completed jobs stay available while you navigate inside this tab. Use My files to revisit results. Reloading or closing the tab clears the workspace; download results you want to keep first. ## Related guides - [Create an archive](https://localconverter.tech/create-archive.md) - [Repack compressed TAR](https://localconverter.tech/repack-tar.md) - [ZIP to GZ](https://localconverter.tech/zip-to-gz.md) - [GZ to ZIP](https://localconverter.tech/gz-to-zip.md)