.sfx files
.sfx file
Self-Extracting Archive Module
The stub program archivers glue onto an archive to make it extract itself.
What opens a .sfx file
- Windows
- 7-Zip (open as archive), WinRAR
- macOS
- Keka, The Unarchiver
- Linux
- 7z x (p7zip), Ark
What a .sfx file is
An SFX module is the small executable front end that WinRAR and 7-Zip attach to an archive so the result runs as an .exe and unpacks without any tool installed. A loose .sfx file on its own is that module, not your data, and it is not meant to be opened directly. If you were given one expecting content, ask for the original archive; if you have a self-extracting .exe you would rather not run, 7-Zip can open it as a plain archive instead.
Converting it
A .sfx file is commonly converted to .zip, .7z, .rar or .exe. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.
Details
- Extension
- .sfx
- Full name
- Self-Extracting Archive Module
- Category
- Archives
- Created by
- WinRAR / 7-Zip
- Format
- Binary
Common questions
- How do I open a .sfx file?
- On Windows use 7-Zip (open as archive); on macOS use Keka; on Linux use 7z x (p7zip). The stub program archivers glue onto an archive to make it extract itself.
- What is a .sfx file?
- Self-Extracting Archive Module. An SFX module is the small executable front end that WinRAR and 7-Zip attach to an archive so the result runs as an .exe and unpacks without any tool installed. A loose .sfx file on its own is that module, not your data, and it is not meant to be opened directly.
- Can I convert a .sfx file?
- Yes. It is usually converted to .zip, .7z, .rar or .exe, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.
Related pages
- .zip — ZIP Archive The universal compressed folder — every operating system opens one with no extra
- .rar — RAR Archive A proprietary archive format with better compression than ZIP and strong recover
- .7z — 7-Zip Archive The open, high-compression archive format from 7-Zip, with proper AES-256 encryp
- .gz — Gzip Compressed File A single compressed file — it holds no folder structure of its own.
- .tar — Tape Archive A Unix bundle of files with no compression at all — usually paired with gzip.
- .tgz — Gzipped Tar Archive Shorthand for .tar.gz — a tar bundle compressed with gzip.
- .xz — XZ Compressed File LZMA2 compression — the tightest of the common Unix single-file compressors.
- .bz2 — Bzip2 Compressed File A compressed single file, slower than gzip but usually smaller.
Sources
- Media Types Registry — IANA
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place