ZXP File: What It Is & How to Open One

This article explains what ZXP files are used for and how to open one on your computer.

What Is a ZXP File?

A file with the ZXP file extension is an Adobe extension package that contains little bits of software that add functionality to Adobe products.

ZXP files are really just compressed ZIP files. They replace the older Macromedia extension plugin format (.MXP files) and improve on it by supporting a digital signature to identify the publisher of the extension.

How to Open a ZXP File

Adobe's Creative Cloud is the "normal" way to browse and install plugins and extensions. If you have a ZXP file you downloaded elsewhere, that same program can be used to install it. Included in Creative Cloud (v5.5 and above) is Unified Plugin Installer Agent (UPIA), which lets you install ZXP files from the command line.

Using Command Prompt in Windows, here's an example of what you'd enter to install a ZXP file (see Adobe's directions for all the details):

 UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent.exe /install C:\file.zxp

Third-party programs like ZXPInstaller can install these files, too. Another, Anastasiy's Extension Manager, can install, remove, and update ZXP files.

Adobe Extension Manager version CS5.5 and higher supports ZXP files, while prior versions can use the original MXP format.

Since these package files are in the ZIP archive format, you can also open them with a zip/unzip tool like 7-Zip. Doing this won't let you use it with an Adobe program, but it will let you see the different files and folders that make up the file.

How to Convert a ZXP File

You don't really need to convert ZXP to ZIP because you can just rename the file extension from .ZXP to .ZIP. Doing this will let you open the file in any file unzip tool that supports the ZIP format.

For the opposite—convert the older MXP format to ZXP—go to Tools > Convert MXP extension to ZXP in Adobe Extension Manager CS6.

Additional Information on ZXP Files

If the file doesn't open on your computer, it's possible you don't have the right Adobe program necessary for using it. If the extension has other files and folders associated with it, open CSXS and then manifest.xml inside that folder.

Within the XML file is a section surrounded by a "HostList" tag. See which Adobe programs are listed there; those are the only ones that can use that particular ZXP file.

Common places where you might find ZXP files in Windows include:

• C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe
• C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Bridge [version]\PublishPanel\factory\zxp\
• C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Extension Manager CC\EM Store\Virtual Product\

On macOS, ZXP files are often found in these folders:

• /Library/Application Support/Adobe/CEP/extensions/
• /Library/Application Support/Adobe/extensions/
• /Users/[username]/Application Support/Adobe/CEP/extensions/
• /Users/Application Support/Adobe/extensions/

Still Can't Open It?

Even though their file extensions look similar, ZXP files have nothing to do with ZPS files, which are Zebra Portable Safe files used with a program called ZPS Explorer.

Another similarly spelled file extension is ZIPX, used for Extended Zip files; they can be opened with PeaZip.

If you re-read the file extension for your file and find that it doesn't end with "ZXP," research the file extension that's there to learn more about the format and what program can open the file.