---
title: ".zip file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .zip file is a ZIP Archive. The universal compressed folder — every operating system opens one with no extra software. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/zip/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .zip files

**.zip file: ZIP Archive**

The universal compressed folder — every operating system opens one with no extra software.

## What opens a .zip file

- **Windows:** File Explorer (built in), 7-Zip, WinRAR
- **macOS:** Archive Utility (built in), The Unarchiver, Keka
- **Linux:** Archive Manager / File Roller (built in), Ark, unzip

## What a .zip file is

Phil Katz created ZIP in 1989 and it became the default way to bundle and compress files. Windows, macOS and every Linux desktop extract ZIP archives natively, and countless formats — DOCX, EPUB, APK, JAR — are secretly ZIP files with different extensions. Its built-in password encryption exists but is weak in the legacy variant, so use a tool that offers AES if the contents matter.

## Converting it

A .zip file is commonly converted to .7z, .rar, .tar or .gz. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .zip
- **Full name:** ZIP Archive
- **Category:** Archives
- **MIME type:** application/zip
- **Created by:** Phil Katz / PKWARE
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .zip file?

On Windows use File Explorer (built in); on macOS use Archive Utility (built in); on Linux use Archive Manager / File Roller (built in). The universal compressed folder — every operating system opens one with no extra software.

### What is a .zip file?

ZIP Archive. Phil Katz created ZIP in 1989 and it became the default way to bundle and compress files. Windows, macOS and every Linux desktop extract ZIP archives natively, and countless formats — DOCX, EPUB, APK, JAR — are secretly ZIP files with different extensions.

### Can I convert a .zip file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .7z, .rar, .tar or .gz, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.rar — RAR Archive](https://atoneplace.net/file/rar/)
- [.7z — 7-Zip Archive](https://atoneplace.net/file/7z/)
- [.gz — Gzip Compressed File](https://atoneplace.net/file/gz/)
- [.tar — Tape Archive](https://atoneplace.net/file/tar/)
- [.tgz — Gzipped Tar Archive](https://atoneplace.net/file/tgz/)
- [.xz — XZ Compressed File](https://atoneplace.net/file/xz/)
- [.bz2 — Bzip2 Compressed File](https://atoneplace.net/file/bz2/)
- [.sfx — Self-Extracting Archive Module](https://atoneplace.net/file/sfx/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)