ZST File – What is .zst file and how to open it?

Zstandard Compressed File (ZST)

A ZST file is a compressed file that uses the Zstandard (ZSTD) compression algorithm. ZSTD is a lossless data compression algorithm developed by Yann Collet in 2015. It is designed to be fast and have a high compression ratio, making it suitable for compressing a wide range of data types. ZST files are often used to compress large files, such as backups, archives, and multimedia content.

The ZSTD compression algorithm is open-source and available under the BSD license. It is supported by a wide range of software and libraries, making it easy to compress and decompress ZST files. ZST compression is also supported by several popular file archiving tools, such as 7-Zip, WinRAR, and PeaZip.

Opening ZST Files with Native Tools

The most straightforward approach to opening ZST files is to use the native tools provided by the Zstandard project. These tools are available for various platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. To open a ZST file using the native tools, simply install the Zstandard library and use the following commands:

• Windows: zstd -d <.zst file path>
• macOS: zstd -d <.zst file path>
• Linux: zstd -d <.zst file path>

The -d option tells the command to decompress the ZST file. Once decompressed, the extracted file can be accessed at the specified output path.

Opening ZST Files with Third-Party Applications

If the native tools are not available or preferred, there are several third-party applications that can open ZST files. These applications include general-purpose file archivers such as 7-Zip or WinRAR, as well as specialized ZST archive managers like PeaZip or The Unarchiver. Many of these applications offer a graphical user interface (GUI) that simplifies the process of opening and decompressing ZST files. To open a ZST file using a third-party application, simply install the application and launch it. Navigate to the location of the ZST file, and then select it to open it.

Zstandard Compressed File (ZST)

Zstandard Compressed File (ZST) is a file format used for lossless data compression. It is based on the Zstandard compression algorithm, which was developed by Yann Collet in 2015. ZST files are designed to achieve high compression ratios while maintaining fast compression and decompression speeds. The algorithm is also optimized for low memory usage, making it suitable for use in resource-constrained environments.

ZST files are widely used in various applications, including data storage, data backup, and software distribution. They offer a significant reduction in file size compared to uncompressed files, making them ideal for storing large amounts of data. Additionally, the fast compression and decompression speeds of ZST allow for efficient data transfer and processing. The format is also supported by numerous software tools, including file archivers, compression utilities, and programming libraries.

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