Archive
What is a .zip file?
A .zip file is a compressed folder holding one or more files. Every modern operating system opens ZIPs without extra software.
How to open a .zip file
- WindowsRight-click → Extract All
- Windows7-Zip for more control
- MacDouble-click and it unzips beside the original
- Linux`unzip file.zip`
- LinuxArk / File Roller
- Phone or tabletFiles (iOS)
- Phone or tabletFiles by Google (Android)
How to convert a .zip file
- Extract, then re-compress as .7z or .tar.gz if you need better compression.
MIME type
When a .zip file travels over the web, servers label it with this MIME type:
application/zipThe technical record
For archivists, developers and the merely curious: these are the PRONOM registry entries for .zip.
| Format name | Version | MIME type | PUID |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP Format | — | application/zip | x-fmt/263 |