ZI File – What is .zi file and how to open it?
ZI File Extension
Renamed Zip File – file format by PKWARE
ZI file extension denotes a ZIP archive that has been renamed to ZI to avoid detection by email filters that block ZIP files. It is essentially a compressed file that contains one or more files.
Definition of a ZI File
A ZI file is a renamed ZIP file designed to bypass email filters that may block messages containing ZIP attachments. ZIP is an archive file format that compresses multiple files into a single file to reduce their size and facilitate transmission. By renaming the file extension to ZI, the file can appear innocuous to filters while maintaining the same functionality.
Features of ZI Files
ZI files inherit the features of the standard ZIP format, including lossless compression, support for multiple compression algorithms, and optional password protection. They allow for efficient storage and transmission of large files or collections of files without compromising their integrity. Additionally, ZI files can be extracted using standard ZIP decompression tools, making them widely accessible.
Opening ZI Files
ZI files are renamed zip files, meaning they have had their file extension changed from .ZIP to .ZI. This is typically done for security purposes, as some systems may not recognize .ZIP files as compressed archives and therefore block them. To open a ZI file, you can use any software that supports opening ZIP files, such as WinZip, 7-Zip, or PeaZip. Once you have installed one of these programs, simply right-click on the ZI file and select “Open with” from the context menu. You can then choose the program you want to use to open the file.
Additional Information
It’s worth noting that ZI files are not encrypted by default. If you need to encrypt a ZI file, you can use a program like WinZip or 7-Zip to add a password to it. Once you have encrypted a ZI file, it will need to be decrypted before it can be opened. You can decrypt a ZI file using the same program that you used to encrypt it. Simply enter the password when prompted and the file will be decrypted.
ZI files are a convenient way to compress and share files. They are supported by a wide range of software, making them easy to open and use.
The History and Evolution of .ZI Files
PKWARE, the renowned software development company, introduced the .ZI file extension in the 1980s as a renamed version of the popular ZIP archive format. The .ZI extension was primarily designed to bypass certain restrictions imposed by certain operating systems and file systems. By renaming the standard ZIP file extension to .ZI, users could effectively hide the true nature of the archive, allowing them to circumvent limitations or security measures that may have prohibited the use of ZIP files.
Technical Aspects and Key Features of .ZI Files
Technically, a .ZI file is identical to a standard ZIP archive. It utilizes the same compression algorithms and file organization principles as its predecessor. However, the use of a different file extension allows .ZI files to be treated differently by operating systems and applications. Some systems may recognize .ZI files as generic data files, while others may not associate them with the ZIP format at all. This can provide an additional layer of security by making it more difficult for unauthorized individuals to identify and access the contents of a .ZI archive.