What is the 002 file format?
Files with the .002 extension are generated by various archiving and splitting tools - including 7-Zip, WinRAR, HJSplit, and PeaZip. The extension indicates the second volume in a numbered sequence: the same archive or large file is split across parts named .001, .002, .003, and so on, each holding a consecutive chunk of raw bytes.
Unlike the .001 part, a .002 file carries no file header or magic number of its own - it is simply the second block of bytes from a larger file or archive. The recognisable signature (for example PK for a ZIP archive, Rar! for a RAR archive, or the 7z header for a 7-Zip archive) always resides at the very start of the .001 part, never in .002 or any later segment.
In order to extract the contents, all volumes in the set are required - the .002 segment alone cannot be opened by an archiver. Opening it independently will typically produce an error.
Advantages of dividing into volumes
Due to this type of archiving, managing large files is substantially easier, because smaller parts can be freely copied onto storage media or sent across networks that impose file-size limits. When one volume is damaged, only that specific segment needs to be re-downloaded or replaced rather than the entire archive.
Security & safety
RISK: MEDIUMA split set carries the same risk as whatever is inside it - if the parts reassemble into an archive or executable, it can contain malware, and you only see that after extracting, so scan unexpected sets before running anything. Two .002-specific gotchas: (1) completeness - if ANY part is missing (especially the .001 that holds the header, or a middle volume the data passes through), the file simply won't reassemble and the missing bytes can't be recovered; verify you have a continuous run (.001, .002, .003 …). (2) Pirate-download sites commonly distribute big files as .001/.002 sets - treat those with extra caution.
Format details
in a nutshellPrograms that open 002 files
Windows4 apps
WinRAR
Paid Gather the parts; open the .001 (or the .part1.rar of a RAR set) and WinRAR joins the .002/.003… volumes automatically to extract. 
7-Zip
Open-source Put all parts in one folder. For a split archive, right-click the .001 (e.g. file.7z.001) > 7-Zip > Extract. For a plainly split file, 7-Zip rejoins it from the .001. Free. 
PeaZip
Open-source Open the .001 with all parts present in the same folder; PeaZip reassembles and extracts. Free. (URL moved to peazip.github.io.) 
HJSplit
Free For files split BY HJSplit (raw .001/.002 chunks): use Join, point it at the .001, and it rebuilds the original file. 
macOS2 apps
The Unarchiver
Free Place all parts together and open the .001; The Unarchiver handles split archive volumes that macOS Archive Utility often can't. 
Keka
Free With all parts in one folder, open the .001 to extract a split archive, or use it to join split files. 
Linux2 apps
7-Zip / p7zip
Open-source Gather the parts and run: 7z x archive.7z.001 (the first part). It reads the .002/.003 siblings automatically. To rejoin a raw split: cat file.001 file.002 … > file.
File Roller / Xarchiver
Open-source Open the .001 with all volumes present in the same directory to extract a split archive. Technical details
deep spec| Format type | Second numbered segment in a multi-volume split sequence (.001, .002, .003…) |
| File content | Raw bytes - a consecutive block from the middle of the original file; no headers or footers of its own |
| Magic number | None - the format signature (ZIP, RAR, 7-Zip, etc.) resides in the .001 part, not in .002 |
| MIME type | application/octet-stream |
| Naming convention | Sequential three-digit numeric extension; .002 is always the second volume in the set |
| Standalone opening | Cannot be opened independently - all volumes in the set must be present for extraction |
| Volume ordering | Parts must be joined in strict ascending numeric order to reconstruct the original file |
| Archive header location | Always stored at the start of the .001 file; .002 and later parts carry only payload bytes |
| Developer / owner | No single owner; a de-facto convention shared by 7-Zip, WinRAR, HJSplit, PeaZip, and similar tools |
| Volume size | Defined at split time by the user or the splitting tool; no fixed or standard size |
| Reconstruction method | All parts concatenated in order (e.g. via `copy /b *.00* output` on Windows or `cat *.00* > output` on Linux/macOS) |
| Missing-volume impact | Loss or corruption of any single part, including .002, renders the entire archive unrecoverable |
| Platform support | Cross-platform; the .001/.002… naming convention is recognised on Windows, macOS, and Linux |
| Related parts | Preceded by .001 (holds the archive header); may be followed by .003, .004, and so on up to the final segment |
| Released | Long-standing .001/.002 split-volume naming used by file splitters and archivers |
| Open standard | Yes · royalty-free |
| Specification | www.7-zip.org |
002 conversions
Community Q&A
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