FB zip files are compressed archives that contain multiple files and folders. They have the file extension .fb and can be created on Facebook to download photos, videos, and other content from your account. While FB zip files are based on the common zip compressed format, they require special software to open on your computer.
What is an FB zip file?
An FB zip file is a compressed archive created by Facebook to bundle and download content from your account. It allows you to download your photos, videos, and other files in one convenient package instead of having to save them individually.
Some key characteristics of FB zip files include:
- Uses zip compression to reduce file size
- Has the file extension .fb
- Contains photos, videos, and other Facebook files
- Must be extracted to access individual files
- Created directly within Facebook for downloading content
The main advantage of the FB zip format is that it lets you download multiple Facebook files, which could be hundreds of photos or videos, as one compressed file for easier transfer and storage. However, it does require special software to open and access the contents.
Why Download Facebook Content as an FB zip?
Here are some of the main reasons you may want to download Facebook content in an FB zip file:
- Easier downloading – With one FB zip download, you can get all your photos, videos and other files off Facebook at once instead of saving them one by one.
- Storage efficiency – Zipping Facebook content reduces the size, allowing you to save storage space on your computer.
- Backing up content – Downloading your Facebook history in a zip is a way to backup and archive your personal content.
- Transferring to other devices – The FB zip containing your Facebook files can be transferred to other computers or devices.
- Offloading content – If you want to delete content from Facebook but still keep it saved elsewhere, downloading as an FB zip allows you to free up space on your account.
Overall, the main advantage of the FB zip format is convenience. It bundles all your Facebook content into one easy download instead of having to save items individually.
How Do I Create an FB zip File?
Creating an FB zip file to download your Facebook content is a simple process, though it does require using Facebook’s Download Your Information tool.
Follow these steps:
- Go to your Facebook settings and open the “Your Facebook Information” section.
- Click on “Download Your Information.”
- In the dropdown menu, select the data you want to download – photos, posts, videos, etc.
- For file format, choose “FB ZIP.”
- Select the date range for the data you need.
- Enter your Facebook password to confirm the download request.
- Facebook will prepare the zip file and email you when it’s ready to download, usually within a few hours or days depending on how much data you requested.
- When ready, reload the Download Your Information page and you will see the FB zip file link available to download.
- Click the link to download the FB zip file to your computer.
Once you’ve gone through this process, you will have an FB zip file containing your selected Facebook content ready for extraction.
How to Open and Extract an FB zip File
Because of the specific FB zip format, you cannot simply double click to open the file like a normal zip. FB zip files require special software capable of unpacking the Facebook-specific compression.
Here are your options for opening and extracting an FB zip file:
Use Facebook’s Export Tool
The easiest way to open and extract an FB zip file is to use the same Facebook Export Tool that created it:
- Go back to the Facebook “Download Your Information” section.
- Under the Files heading, you will see the FB zip listed that you previously downloaded.
- Click the blue “Download” button to re-download the same FB zip file if needed.
- When prompted, click “Open” to launch the Facebook Export Tool.
- The Facebook tool will automatically extract the FB zip file contents into a new folder on your computer.
This approach avoids the need for any other zip software. The same tool that makes the FB zip file can also open and extract it through your web browser.
Use 7-Zip
The free, open-source 7-Zip tool is one of the most popular options for working with compressed files. It is capable of unpacking FB zip files.
To use 7-Zip to extract an FB zip:
- Download and install 7-Zip on your computer.
- Right-click on the FB zip file and select “7-Zip” then “Extract Here”.
- 7-Zip will extract the contents of the FB zip into the current folder.
7-Zip can also extract specific files from the archive using the interface options. This makes it a versatile utility for working with FB zips without Facebook’s own tools.
Use WinZip
WinZip is a popular paid zip utility for Windows that can also handle FB zip files. To use it:
- Install WinZip on your computer.
- Locate the FB zip file in Windows Explorer.
- Right-click and choose “Extract Here with WinZip.
- WinZip will prompt you to enter the location to extract the files.
WinZip offers a few more features than 7-Zip but must be purchased after a trial period. Overall, it provides another solid option for working with FB zips on Windows PCs.
Troubleshooting FB zip Extraction Issues
Extracting FB zip files does not always go smoothly. Here are some common issues and fixes when trying to open FB zip files:
Damaged Zip File
If the FB zip file was not fully downloaded or became corrupted, it may be damaged and fail to extract properly. Try re-downloading the file from Facebook in the Download Your Information section.
Incorrect Extraction Tool
Standard zip tools like those built into Windows may not work properly with the FB zip format. Use the recommended options like Facebook’s tool, 7-Zip, or WinZip.
Password Protection
If you enabled password protection on the FB zip during download, you will need to enter the correct password when extracting the contents. If you forgot the password, you will need to download the file again without a password.
Individual File Issues
If only some files fail to extract, it may indicate those individual files were damaged or corrupted in the zip compression process. Try extracting again or download a new zip file if available.
Unsupported Zip Utility
Even some third-party zip tools may lack proper compatibility with the FB zip format. Stick to the recommended extraction utilities if you have problems.
If you continue having trouble opening an FB zip file after trying the usual software and troubleshooting tips, you may need to contact Facebook support for additional help resolving the issue.
What’s Inside an FB Zip File?
Since an FB zip file contains your selected Facebook content, what’s inside will depend on what you chose to download. Here are some of the common files and folders you’ll find when you open and extract an FB zip archive:
- Photos – Includes all your uploaded photos, organized into folders by year and month.
- Videos – Any videos you posted on Facebook will be extracted into a dedicated videos folder.
- Posts and stories – Your own posts as well as visible stories and activity will be included as HTML files.
- Messages – Downloaded copies of your Facebook messages and chats will be in the messages folder.
- Profile information – This includes your profile details, interests, etc. as JSON files.
- Friends – Names and info of your Facebook friends may be included as a separate contacts file.
Along with your selected data, the FB zip will contain a folder called archive_browser to support browsing the archives as well as an index file with metadata about the contents.
The amount of storage space required by the extracted files will depend on how much Facebook history you archived – it could be gigabytes for active users with years of content.
How to View FB Zip File Contents
Once you’ve extracted an FB zip using one of the compatible zip programs, you will have access to all the individual files and folders it contained. Here are some ways to view the contents:
Open Folders in File Explorer
The simplest way is to open the folder where you extracted the FB zip contents. You will see all the folders for photos, videos, posts, etc. You can click through and view files normally in File Explorer.
Use the Archive Browser
There will be an archive_browser folder included that contains an HTML index file. Opening this index in your web browser provides an interface to easily navigate through the different data types included in your download.
Import into Apps
You can import the media files like photos and videos into editing apps or social media sites to view them there. The HTML posts and messages can be viewed in web browsers.
Search Files
Use your operating system search to easily find specific files like photos by date or message conversations with certain people.
Browsing the contents in the extracted FB zip download is similar to viewing any folders and files on your local computer. The specific data included will depend on your Facebook download selections.
How to Re-Zip FB Zip Files
After extracting an FB zip file, you may want to re-compress the contents to save space or send the folder to someone else. Here is how to re-zip FB zip files using standard compression tools:
- Select the folder containing the extracted FB zip contents.
- Right-click and choose “Add to [zip tool] archive.”
- Choose a zip format like .zip or .7z.
- Enter a filename for the new archive.
- Click OK to create the standard zip archive containing your FB zip contents.
The process will be slightly different depending on the tool, but the general approach is the same. Just select the folder, choose create archive, and choose a zip format for the new file.
One thing to note is that the original metadata and structure like the archive_browser folder may not be retained when re-zipping. But the media, posts, and other data files will still be accessible.
How to Share, Email or Transfer an FB Zip
After downloading your Facebook data as an FB zip file, you may want to share or transfer it in some of the following ways:
Attach the FB zip file directly to an email if the file size is not too large. Recipients can download and extract it using the FB tool or compatible zip program.
File Sharing Sites
Upload the zip to a file sharing site like Dropbox or Google Drive and generate a shareable download link.
External Drives
Copy the FB zip file to a USB drive, external hard drive, or disc to physically transfer it to another device.
Social Media
Share uploaded photos, videos, and other media from the extracted FB zip on new social media accounts.
Cloud Storage
Upload the zip file to cloud storage services like iCloud, OneDrive or Google Photos to access it anywhere.
FB zip files can be easily shared online or transferred like any normal file once downloaded. The small file size makes sending and storing the archive convenient.
Should I Zip My Facebook Data before Deleting My Account?
If you plan on deleting or deactivating your Facebook account, first downloading your personal data in an FB zip is highly recommended as a backup.
Here are some reasons zipping your Facebook content can be useful before deletion:
- Creates a comprehensive archive of all your data from Facebook.
- Lets you access and view your old content offline.
- Saves all your photos, videos, posts, and messages in one place.
- Works as a backup if you ever reactivate your Facebook account.
- Small zipped size makes transferring and storing the archive easier.
The worst case is losing all your Facebook history when deleting your account. Taking the time to zip and download your data before deleting Facebook ensures you have all that content saved and available offline.
Is Data in an FB Zip File Protected or Encrypted?
The FB zip format does use compression to condense your Facebook files, but does not apply actual encryption. The contents may be zipped for space but remain otherwise accessible.
Some things to keep in mind regarding protection of FB zip file data:
- Files are not encrypted and could be accessed if the zip is obtained by others.
- Media and messages remain visible and readable when extracted.
- Password protecting the zip adds minimal security to block casual access.
- FB zips are best treated like other personal documents you want to keep private.
- Avoid sharing the FB zip publicly or storing it insecurely online.
While the zip offers good portability, it does not make the downloaded Facebook data encrypted or secure on its own. You will need to keep the file protected like any private archive containing your personal information.
Can I Password Protect an FB Zip File?
Yes, you can add password protection to an FB zip file when downloading your Facebook data to prevent unauthorized access.
To add a password to the FB zip file:
- When initiating the download in Facebook, check the box for “Add Optional Password Protection”
- Enter a secure password you will remember.
- Confirm the password.
- Facebook will create a password-protected zip with your data.
This will encrypt the zip and require entering the password to extract the contents. Just be sure you don’t forget the password as Facebook does not retain it.
Password protecting FB zip files adds a layer of security so they cannot easily be opened without the password. It’s a good precaution if you plan to store or transfer the zip file online or between devices.
Conclusion
FB zip files provide a handy way to bundle and download your Facebook content like photos, videos, posts, and profile information in one archive. While specialized tools are required to open FB zips, they offer a space-saving and portable format for backing up your personal data from Facebook.
Be sure to fully download any FB zip files before deleting your Facebook account as they contain your complete record of all activity and media from the platform. Handle FB zips securely like any private document. But overall, the format gives you full control and access to your data from Facebook when you need it.