How to open Debian archives with 7-Zip

I cannot believe I’m writing this, but here we are: 7-Zip is perfectly capable of opening Debian package files (which are compressed using ar), but for some inexplicable reason they’ve decided to hide the control components by default.

Fortunately, opening the files properly isn’t too complicated, even if it’s not as convenient as simply opening the file: right-click on the Debian file to access the 7-Zip context menu, then hit “Open archive” with the directional arrow and select “*”.

Simple enough, I guess, if you know what you’re looking for.

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Adam Fisher / fisher king (@therightstuff)

Software developer and writer of words, currently producing a graphic novel adaptation of Shakespeare's Sonnets! See http://therightstuff.bio.link for details.