Extract text from Split archive files (201)
To convert 201 Archives to another format, you need WinZip or other Compressed software.
To convert other file formats to the "Firmware Archive" file type, you need software like WinZip or a similar tool.
The .201 file format is primarily a firmware update package used to flash satellite receivers powered by ALI Corp set-top box (STB) chipsets.
Although it features a custom, proprietary file extension, it is internally structured as a standard ZIP archive. You can use standard archive utilities like WinZip or 7-Zip to extract the contents.
Users often need to convert or extract this file because standard operating systems do not recognize the .201 extension. Double-clicking the file typically yields an error, requiring manual intervention. The current format is highly restrictive; it hides the underlying archive structure and confuses standard file managers.
The best target format for a .201 file is ZIP for desktop inspection, or raw BIN and ABS files for the actual hardware flashing process. Converting to a standard archive format prevents data loss while restoring native operating system compatibility.
This file format is difficult to open natively because it uses a non-standard extension meant to be read directly by satellite receiver hardware via USB, rather than by desktop software. Often, only the original hardware flasher can properly read the raw data inside. However, just drag and drop your file to see what it is and convert it if supported. convert.guru can still identify the file format, inspect the file, and show text or internal content. If our analysis detects the supported underlying or embedded archive format, viewing or conversion may still be possible.
Convert.Guru analyzes your 201 file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.
Users also converted ZIP, PIZ, ZIPX, 200 and HEX files.
If you want to convert 201 file to HEX, you can use WinZip or similar software from the "Firmware Update Archive" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert files to 201, try WinZip or another comparable tool in the "Firmware Update Archive" category.
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our 201 converter.