Universal Extractor 2 (UniExtract2) is the modern, community-maintained evolution of the classic archiving utility, designed to pull files out of virtually any type of container. While standard tools like 7-Zip handle common compressed folders, this software specializes in extracting data from executable installers, game archives, and disk images without requiring you to run or install the program first. It serves as an essential digital crowbar for users who need to access specific DLLs, assets, or setup files from packages that otherwise lock their contents behind an installation wizard.
Key Features
- Scan-Only Mode: Analyzes a file to identify its exact type and compression method without performing any extraction, which is useful for verifying downloaded files or checking for specific packer signatures.
- Batch Processing: Allows you to queue multiple archives or installers and extract them all sequentially to their own folders, saving time when processing large collections of software or backups.
- Expanded Format Support: Utilizes over 50 integrated backend tools to support more than 500 file types, including obscure game archives, MSI installers, and multimedia containers that traditional archivers cannot open.
- Smart Context Menu: Integrates directly into Windows Explorer with a cascading menu that adjusts based on the file type, offering quick options to "Extract here" or "Extract to subdir" without opening the main interface.
- Multimedia Extraction: Includes FFmpeg integration to strip audio and video streams directly from media files or game assets, converting them into usable formats during the extraction process.
- Silent Mode: Suppresses all pop-ups and prompts during operation, making it ideal for automated scripts or users who prefer a non-intrusive background workflow.
Use Cases
System administrators and IT professionals use this tool to inspect driver packages or software installers (EXE/MSI) to verify contents before deploying them across a network. It is also highly effective for gamers and modders who need to extract textures, sounds, and models from proprietary game archives for creative projects.
Universal Extractor 2 stands apart from competitors by prioritizing the extraction of hostile or complex container formats that other unzip tools simply ignore.
Version 2.0.0 RC 4 — November 2025
- Added support for various new installer formats, including Smart Install Maker, BitRock InstallBuilder, and InstallForge.
- Added extraction capabilities for Unity packages (.unitypackage), Asar (Electron) archives, and split files (.001, .002, etc.).
- Added support for multiple disk image formats such as .cso, CloneCD (.gdi, .mds), ExFat images, and .chd files.
- Added handling for forensic file formats, Windows thumbnail caches, and encoded files (Base64, BinHex, MacBinary).
- Added option to disable the system tray icon and introduced support for High DPI displays.
- Improved support for Inno Setup installers and Ren'Py archives.
- Fixed a bug where Inno extraction would fail if the "Delete additional files" option was enabled.
- Fixed an issue causing DLL files to be incorrectly renamed to .exe when "Fix file extensions" was active.
- Fixed errors related to file extensions containing uppercase letters and "File not found" issues after file renaming.
