Overwrite any files that have matching names on disk with the one from the archive.

Save the user, group, and permission settings on files. Use with care, as this may result in files being extracted that do not belong to any valid user on your computer.

Extract all the files into the extraction folder, ignoring any folder structure in the archive.

Extract all files with all lowercase (or uppercase) names.

This shows the Folders dialog box, so you can choose the default folders. The Last start-up folder is the last folder you used for that particular option.

Lets you select files according to their filename. For example, you could use *.txt to select all text files. Note that you can't use more than one filter at a time.

Selects all the files in the archive

Unselects all the files in the archive

Reverses which files are selected. Selected files become unselected, and unselected files are selected.

Displays the Shell Output box, which shows you the output of the most recent command(s) run by Ark. This is sometimes useful if you are having problems and want to troubleshoot.

Shows the Select Files to Add dialog box, where you can select files. Hold down Ctrl and click to select multiple files. To go up a folder, right click the folder box, and you can choose Up (this will probably be improved soon). The Advanced tab has options which are specific to the type or archive you are working with.

Shows the Add Folder... dialog box, where you can choose a folder to add. Just choose a folder and choose Open.

Removes the currently selected files from the archive.

Shows the Extract dialog box, which allows you to select where you will extract files to. You can also select which files to extract:

You can specify the folder to extract files to in the Extract to: text box. If you want to change the default folder, in the main program window, choose Folders on the Settings menu. Under the Advanced tab, you can choose some specific options depending on the archive format.

Opens the currently selected file in the associated viewer program.

Opens the currently selected file in a program you choose. The Open With... dialog box lets you choose which program to use.

Opens the currently selected file in a program you choose. Any changes you make in the editor program will be reflected in the archive, as it will be updated.

Toggles whether the toolbar is displayed.

Toggles whether the status bar is displayed.

Displays the Configure Shortcuts dialog box. This lets you choose shortcut keys for various menu items. To change a shortcut, select an action from the list, and then choose which keystroke to use. Clicking on the bottom right hand Key button lets you choose which specific key to use. Just press the new key.

Displays a KDE standard dialog where you can configure the toolbar icons.

This opens the Ark configuration dialog. The dialog contains three tabs. Configuring Ark is covered in the section Configuration

Invokes the KDE Help system starting at the Ark help pages. (this document).

Changes the mouse cursor to a combination arrow and question mark. Clicking on items within Ark will open a help window (if one exists for the particular item) explaining the item's function.

Opens the Bug report dialog where you can report a bug or request a “wishlist” feature.

This will display version and author information.

This displays the KDE version and other basic information.