File Extension Database

Open Z File

Files with the Z extension are used to compress a file for backup purposes. Typically a file with the Z extension is a compressed file present in UNIX-based operating systems.

However, unlike the more complex formats, Z files can only store one file and no folders.

Although Z is a more common file format in Unix-based systems, Windows users can also work with them, however, the most common in Windows is to work with similar files in ZIP format.

To differentiate a bit, Z files that have a lowercase Z ("z") are GNU-compressed files, while uppercase Z files are compressed using the compress command on some operating systems.

Z files are convertible to other formats, for example ZIP, RAR, 7Z, which means that the process goes through unzipping the file and compressing it in the other desired format.

Z files can be opened with most zip / unzip programs. Below is a list of them:

Typical Z application file locations:

"C:\Program Files\WinRAR\WinRAR.exe" "%1"

Frequently used application names to open Z files:

WinRAR

Frequently associated Windows objects:

WinRAR

How Can I Open Z File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open Z file is to find a Z file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a Z file is not opened in an application and you instead get a "Windows can't open a file" error message you should try looking for an application which can open the file in question.
If you know the application which can open Z file then run it and see if there is a File->Open main menu option in the application.
If you don't know the application which function as Z file opener then try to search online for "Z viewer", "application to open Z file" or "open Z file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open Z file

How Can I Open Z File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a Z file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a Z file is not opened in a Mac OS application and you instead get a "There is no application set to open the file" error message you can click on "Search App Store" in the error dialog and Mac OS will show you applications compatible with Z file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as Z file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open Z file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open Z file then try to search for "Z viewer", "application to open Z file" or "read Z file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read Z file

How Can I Open Z File on Android

If you downloaded a Z file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

In the Android apps list on your Android device find "My Files" or "File manager" app and tap to start it.
Tap on "Downloads" folder inside the app.
You should see your downloaded Z file in that folder.
Tap on the file. If Android device supports opening the file you downloaded it will open in the corresponding app.
If file does not open you can look for the corresponding app that can open the file by searching Android App Store for the "Z".
If you cannot open the file with the apps from Android App Store it is possible that the file could only be opened on desktop platforms such as Windows or Mac OS. Try searching for "Z viewer", "Z file reader" online and see if any desktop applications can open it.
It is also possible that the file you downloaded is outdated and is no longer supported.

How to Open Z File on iPhone or iPad

To open Z File on iOS device follow steps below:

We advies to open Files app on your iPhone or iPad device. You can find it by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
Tap on the Downloads folder on the Files app home screen.
You will see all files that you recently downloaded. Tap on the Z file to view it.
If you have the right app that can open it it will automatically launch and open your file.
If you don't have the app which can open it you need to serch Apple app store for "Z". This way you can find apps which can open Z files.
If this doesn't help it is possible that your file could be opened only by the desktop application. To find an app which can open it on desktop look for "Z viewer" or "Z file" online in your favorite search engine.