WinZix compressed archive
File type: Dangerous and malicious file
A zix file extension is associated with the WinZix compression software full of ads. A zix file stores supposedly compressed data with bothersome ads.
Found 4 different file type records with the same zix filename suffix.
File type category:
Dangerous and malicious file
Date updated: November 22, 2023
The zix file extension is used for a potentially dangerous pseudo-archive file associated with a highly suspicious adware program called WinZix.
These files are often found inside RAR or ZIP files downloaded from torrents with a readme file that points to downloading and installing WinZix to open these "archives".
While ZIX "archives" are mostly (not always!) virus-free, WinZiX is an adware program; it may open *.zix files but infest your computer with various adware in the process (such as pop-up windows) that generate revenue for the author of the program. If that wasn't enough, the ZIX "format" does not use any compression method, so it is USELESS.
By installing WinZix, you install a file named WinZixManager.dll that can't be deleted and will remain despite uninstalling the program. It will also install some viruses known as WinZix A, WinZix B, WinZix C, and WinZix D.
If you carefully read the EULA (End-User Licences Agreement) of WinZix, you will realize that by installing their software, you are giving them legal permission to do whatever they want to your computer.
Some antivirus/firewall programs like Avast! block the website directly in your browser.
Your best bet is to avoid *.zix files from torrents, or if you are desperate to get the contents out of this archive, you could try the UnZixHTA program created by Andrew Urquhart, which should extract the original files out of the ZIX archive.
Some other programs are using ZIX file extensions as well. However, these are not in any way related to WinZix adware.
unZixHTA program should be able to open and extract .zix files without the need to install WinZix Adware.
UnZixWin program may achieve the same.
You have to extract the *.zix archives with the UnZixWin software before you can convert the data.
WinZix (Microsoft Windows)
UnZixHTA (Microsoft Windows)
UnZixWin (Microsoft Windows)
WinZix (Microsoft Windows)
WinZix (Microsoft Windows)
UnZixHTA (Microsoft Windows)
UnZixWin (Microsoft Windows)
File type category:
Various data file
Date updated: June 24, 2019
The zix file extension is also used by less known program called Caml Light and used for debugging purposes.
Caml is a general-purpose programming language, designed with program safety and reliability in mind.
Caml Light is a lightweight, portable implementation of the Caml language. that runs on most Unix machines, as well as PC under Microsoft Windows.
Caml Light .zix files provide access to module local variables to the debugger.
This ZIX format is in no way related to WinZix adware and its archives that use ZIX file extension as well.
Probably not meant to be accessed by the user.
Probably cannot be converted to anything else.
Caml Light (Microsoft Windows)
File type category:
Accounting, financial and tax file
Date updated: June 27, 2018
The zix file extension was also associated with Quicken, a personal finance management tool developed by Intuit, Inc, which is available in both Windows and Mac Versions.
The .zix files were used by some older version of Quicken, probably for some encrypted archives that some sort of financial data.
With the troubles about WinZix adware and its use of ZIX file extension as well, Quicken switched to other formats and no longer uses it.
Use compatible tools to work with *.zix files.
Probably cannot be converted to other formats.
Quicken (Microsoft Windows)
Quicken Essentials for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)
Quicken for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)
Quicken (Microsoft Windows)
Quicken Essentials for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)
Quicken for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)
Quicken (Microsoft Windows)
Quicken Essentials for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)
Quicken for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)
Quicken (Microsoft Windows)
Quicken Essentials for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)
Quicken for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)
File type category:
Encoded and encrypted file
Date updated: April 17, 2018
The zix file extension is associated with some programs developed by ZixCorp such as ZixMail.
The zix is probably encrypted version of e-mail or its attachments saved in the program.
These files have nothing to do with WinZix adware and its ZIX format.
Use ZixCorp to open *.zix encrypted files.
There is no way how to convert the encrypted *.zix files. However, after decoding the *.zix files, original files can be converted, if their format allows it.
ZixCorp (Microsoft Windows)
ZixCorp (Microsoft Windows)
ZixCorp (Microsoft Windows)
ZixCorp (Microsoft Windows)
ZixCorp (Microsoft Windows)