Opening a BZIP2 File

The BZIP2 file type is primarily associated with bzip2.

BZIP2	File extension: BZIP2
	File type:	compressed archive file

What is a BZIP2 file

BZIP2 files mostly belong to bzip2 by Julian Seward. BZIP2 file format extension is associated with the lossless open-source compression utility of the same name. This file format is popularly known as BZ2.

Features: BZ2 files are formed by compressing data in blocks of size between 100 and 900 kB. BZIP2 uses the patent-free Huffman Coding along with the Burrows-Wheeler transform to compress data into a BZ2 file. BZIP2 can compress only a single file into BZ2 format. Data containing multiple files need to be archived first using a separate archiving tool. BZ2 files do not have split archive functionalities. The encryption feature is also not available. BZIP2 uses 32-bit CRCs to ensure the extracted file doesn't differ from the original one. The compression speed of BZ2 files is higher than the decompression speed.
Support: BZ2 files are used frequently in UNIX/Linux environments for storing compressed data. Multiple files, if present, are first archived to create a TAR file. This is achieved using the TAR utility. BZIP2 compresses this TAR file to generate a TBZ2 (TAR.BZ2) file. A GUI version of the BZIP2 tool is also available for the Windows platform.

How to open a BZIP2 file

You need a suitable software like bzip2 to open a BZIP2 file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your BZIP2 file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a BZIP2 file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online BZIP2 File Viewer

Choose your .bzip2 file to view

or drag and drop it here

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How to extract texts from BZIP2 files or capture a screenshot to PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...

If you want to extract texts from BZIP2 file or capture a screenshot, you can use our free Online BZIP2 File Viewer:

To do so, click the "Choose your .bzip2 file to view" button above.
After your file is opened in browser,
click "Save as..." in the menu.
Then choose the file format (e.g. JPG, PDF, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
Download the converted file.

Programs that open and convert BZIP2 files:

bzip2 by Julian Seward
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. BZIP2 files are often referred to as bzip2 compresseds because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
StuffIt (compressed archive file) by Smith Micro
StuffIt is a file compression and archiving application from Smith Micro. It supports several archive formats, including BZIP2. The BZIP2 format is for a file that has been compressed using the Bzip2 compression program. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: StuffIt on Wikipedia, StuffIt Knowledge Base
WinRAR (compressed archive file) by RARLAB
WinRAR is a file compression and archiving program from RARLAB. It supports several archive formats, including BZIP2. The BZIP2 format is for a file that has been compressed using the Bzip2 compression program. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: WinRAR on Wikipedia
WinZip (compressed archive file) by Corel
WinZip is a file compression and archiving software from Corel. It supports several archive formats, including BZIP. The BZIP2 file format stores files that are compressed using bzip2. This file format is classified as Compressed. Related links: WinZip on Wikipedia

Technical Data for BZIP2 File Extension

File classification:

Compressed

Related files:

bz2, lz, zip, bzip, tbz, bz

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: ZipZag.bzip2
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ZipZag\zipzag.exe %1

ProgramID: MimarSinan Codex
EXEFile: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /idlist,%I,%L

ProgramID: 7-Zip.bzip2
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\7-Zip\7zFM.exe

ProgramID: BitZipper.bzip2
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\BitZipper\BITZIPPER.exe

Show all 4 listings To Top

a bzip2 compressed archive file is a special file format by Julian Seward and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with BZIP2 files

Associate the BZIP2 file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open compressed archive files. Because only the current version supports the latest BZIP2 file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Julian Seward manufacturer website after an available bzip2 update.
To make sure that your BZIP2 file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .BZIP2 file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.