Open ZIP file

The most commonly used .zip file type: ZIP compressed file

What is zip file? Understanding and opening zip files

zip file icon Are you facing difficulties opening zip files on your computer, or wondering exactly what zip file is?
We've got the best software solutions for opening zip files effortlessly.

.zip file type #1: ZIP compressed file

Zip files are compressed archives made using the WinZip compression tool or any other software that uses the generic variant of the algorithm.

Further details

ZIP file is a data container with one or more compressed files or directories.

It is a compressed archive file format that supports lossless data compression.  This means that the files can be compressed, or made smaller, so they take up less space on your hard drive. The ZIP file format permits a number of compression algorithms.

Open zip file with:

WinZip icon

WinZip

Popular file archiver for Windows

WinZip Mac Edition icon

WinZip Mac Edition

Mac version of the popular WinZip compression utility

.zip file type #2: Game resource archive

A zip file extension is related to various computer games and used for its game resource data files.

Further details

The zip file extension is also sometimes used for resource files in various computer games.

These .zip files cannot be extracted as common ZIP archives, but may be extracted with specialized tools, often used by modders. As any other game resource archives, these files can contain various data used in games, such as sounds, graphics, texts, maps etc.

Reported game that use ZIP format for their resource files:

  • FireStarter
  • Falcon 4.0
  • Hitman: Bloodmoney
  • Hitman: Contracts
  • Hitman 2: Silent Assassin
  • Slave Zero
  • Dethkarz
  • Freedom Fighters
  • Empire Earth 2
  • and probably many other...

Open zip file with:

Dragon UnPACKer icon

Dragon UnPACKer

A unpacking tool for resource files from computer games

.zip file type #3: ObjectBar theme pack file format

Files with zip file extension are also used for theme packs made in Stardock ObjectBar program. Most likely standard ZIP.

Further details

The zip file extension is associated with ObjectBar that allows users to create their own custom Start Bars, finders, pop-up menus, program launchers, wharfs, docks, etc., developed by Stardock Corporation.

ObjectBar has everything you need to build your own unique Windows desktop environment. Every OS has its own way of accessing programs, tasks, and information, ObjectBar takes the best from those OSes and gives you the power to build your own.

ObjectBar also comes with a set of very high quality, easy to use interfaces that can take your Windows desktop to the next level. It is completely customizable.

The zip files are used for theme pack files.

Open zip file with:

ObjectBar

An older program for making unique Windows desktop environment

.zip file type #4: Oolite eXpansion pack

A zip file extension is related to the Oolite video game and used for its expansion packs.

Further details

The zip file extension is associated with the Oolite, a video game for Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac and Linux, inspirated by Elite video game.

The zip file contains eXpansion pack.

Open zip file with:

Oolite icon

Oolite

A space simulator video game

What file extension actually is?

Simply put, file extensions are the characters after the dot in the computer file name, so for example document-name.pdf has file extension „pdf“. This helps Windows to identify which program should be used to open the file.

We can help you to open your file

Our database contains a huge list of different file extensions, usually with detailed description and programs that can be used to open or otherwise work with that particular file type.

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Every software listed in our database is verified and ve provide link to the developer or to the software own website, which should hopefuly be enough for you to download the most recent version of the program.