The file extension BZ2 is a file archive that has been compressed using BZip 2, which is an open source data compression utility. The Burrows-Wheeler algorithm for Bzip 2 is relatively new and developed with Linux and UNIX; however, BZ2 files can also be used with other compression utility programs.
Bzip 2 is a high quality data compression utility that is capable of compressing data at maximum capacity by combining the Burrows-Wheeler compression algorithm with Run-Length Encoding. The BZ2 file extension replaces earlier compressed file versions of this type, which were created with BZip, also commonly referred to as BunZip.
BZ2 files contain data and folders which have been packaged together for the purpose of backup, storage, restoration, and transmission. The archive file can consist of a simple list of files and folders or it can contain an entire directory of files.
How to Open BZ2 Files
BZ2 files can be opened with multiple compression utility programs. First, try to double click on the file to see if it automatically opens in a default application you may have installed on your PC. If you have a compression utility installed, you may be able to open BZ2 files by default.
If you are unsuccessful using the above method, you can download and install the Bzip 2 program, which is multiplatform and works with Windows, Mac, UNIX and the Linux operating system. Bzip 2 is a free download and is available on the Bzip 2.org website.
If you use Windows, you can also opt to use WinRAR or Smith Micro Stuffit Deluxe 2010. Other compression utility programs such as Corel WinZip 16 Pro, PeaZip, ZipZag, and 7-Zip will also decompress and open BZ2 files in Windows.
For Mac OS X, you can open BZ2 files using Apple Archive Utility or Smith Micro Stuffit Deluxe 2011. Other programs that work with Mac OS X include Dare to be Creative Archiver, sArchiver and The Unarchiver.
It is also worth mentioning that the file extension BZ2 can be associated with DC++, which is an open source client for sharing files over the Internet in the BZ2 format. This type of BZ2 file will contain hub lists and data that are related to multi-hub functionality and file downloads. In this case, BZ2 files are the settings and themes file type that can be opened with DC++, which is exclusive to the Microsoft Windows platform.
BZ2 files are also an audio and music file type related to ZPoc, which is a music sharing website for Christians to share inspirational recordings. This type of BZ2 file can be opened using the ZPoc interface, which is available on the ZPoc website.
