PKArc compressed file archive
File type: Archive and compressed file
Files with pka extension can be mainly found as archives, created using the PKarc compression utility used in 1980s. Somewhat obsolete file format.
Found 3 different file type records with the same pka filename suffix.
File type category:
Archive and compressed file
Date updated: July 19, 2025
File extension pka is traditionally associated with the PKarc compression utility and used for one of its default compressed archives.
PKarc was released in the mid-1980s in addition to duplicating the compression techniques used in ARC, added an additional algorithm which produced smaller files. Created by Phillip Walter Katz author of popular zip compression.
A .pka file is the standard compressed archive created with PKarc. It is very rare to find such archive nowadays.
It seems that this archive type can only be extracted with PKArc only, but perhaps other tools like 7-zip can help you.
Various archives can be typically repacked to between different formats, including pKA format. However, finding a program that still support this format can be tricky.
Software apps that extract pka files:
Microsoft Windows
File type category:
Various data file
Date updated: October 14, 2026
The pka file extension is associated with Packet Tracer, a network simulation and learning tool developed by Cisco.
Packet Tracer allows students and instructors to create network topologies, configure simulated devices, inject packets, and observe network activity. A pka file contains the data for a practice activity, including the simulated network setup and information used by the exercise.
PKA files are activity files for Packet Tracer rather than general-purpose documents. Packet Tracer also uses other file types for saved network projects, while PKA files are intended for practice activities. The format is used by Packet Tracer on Microsoft Windows.
Open a pka file with Packet Tracer on Microsoft Windows. In Packet Tracer, use its Open command and select the file, or open the file from Windows if the application is associated with the pka file extension.
A PKA file may depend on the Packet Tracer features used to create the activity, so opening it with a compatible version of Packet Tracer is recommended.
It is unlikely that the PKA format can be exported or converted to anything useful. There is no general-purpose conversion that preserves a PKA activity as another file format.
Open the file in Packet Tracer to inspect or edit the activity. If only part of the activity is needed, the relevant network or configuration can be recreated or saved using a file type supported by Packet Tracer, but the practice activity itself may not be preserved.
Software applications that can open pka files:
Microsoft Windows
Software apps that create pka files:
Microsoft Windows
File type category:
3d graphics, CAD-CAM-CAE file
Date updated: April 18, 2019
Record marked as obsolete and not updated for a long time.
The pka file extension is associated with the PointLineCAD, a modern CAD modeling and planing solution for Microsoft Windows used to visualize projects in 2D and 3D models.
The pka file stores 3D keyframe animation.
The PointLineCAD is distributed in German language.
Use PointLineCAD to open *.pka 3D keyframe animations.
Probably can be exported to other formats.
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