Tips to open KMZ file

Can't open the KMZ file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open KMZ files as well as a list of programs that support KMZ files.

KMZ file extension

File Name Google Earth Placemark Format
File Developer Google
File Category GIS Files

The KMZ file is supported on 4 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the KMZ files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the KMZ file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 6
  • 1
  • 2
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is KMZ file?

The .KMZ file is geotagged. It is saved as a ZIP archive with a .KML file. These files are used by Google maps and the Google Earth system. In addition to the latitude and longitude, the tag also contains a user-defined (creator) name of the location. These files are opened by the browser, but they must be indicated by Google maps or a specially crafted link must be used. They can be used to post your location on the website.

How to open KMZ file?

The main problem with Google Earth Placemark Format is that the KMZ file is incorrectly associated with programs. This causes the file KMZ to open by system applications not designed for this purpose, or to display a message that there is no associated program. How to solve such a problem?

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the KMZ file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install Google Earth

In this case, you should first verify that the Google Earth application is installed on the computer. This can be achieved by typing Google Earth into the operating system search engine. If it is not, installation may solve the problem, as most applications create file associations during installation. Below is a list of programs that support the file KMZ.

Programs to open KMZ file

Remember to download programs supporting KMZ files only from verified and safe sources. We suggest using the websites of software developers.

Step 2. Create association of Google Earth with KMZ files

However, it may happen that the application itself does not cause the KMZ file to open in the Google Earth application, but you can set it manually. The association can be created using the drop-down list available by right-clicking on the file and selecting Properties. The displayed window will contain information about the program that supports this type of file. Using the "Change" button we can select the desired program. The program should be visible in the window, otherwise it should be selected manually using the "Browse" button and the program installation directory should be indicated. Checking the "Always use the selected program ..." box will permanently associate the KMZ file with the Google Earth program.

Step 3. Update Google Earth to the latest version

If, despite the association of the Google Earth program with the Google Earth Placemark Format file, the file still does not open, check the program version and possibly update it to the newest version. Some applications allow you to update from the program level, and for others you need to download the installer from the Google Inc. page and install.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the KMZ file

If the above steps do not help, you can assume that the file itself is not correct. This could be due to the file itself, the cleanest issues are:

The affected file may be 0 KB or smaller than expected. Usually this applies to KMZ files downloaded from the Internet in case the download did not finish properly. The file should be downloaded again, making sure that the process has finished correctly.
The computer may have fallen victim to a computer virus or hacker. A quick virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should clear up any doubts. Alternatively, you can use the scanners available online. The scan should cover the entire computer, not only the KMZ file that we want to open. However, remember that not every infected KMZ file can be recovered, so it is important to take care of regular backups.
This can happen especially when the program is dynamically developed and the structure of the KMZ files changes over time. Help should be sought from the software developer, as they usually recommend using free file converters or installing an older version of the program.
There can be many reasons for this. The repair method must be adapted to the type of file and damage. Some programs offer the ability to automatically repair KMZ file corruption. You can restore the file from a backup or use Google help.
The program indicates that the file is encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted file KMZ except for the special designation, works normally, but only on the device where it was encrypted, before transferring it to another machine, decryption is required.
The operating system protects files in some locations (e.g. the root of the system partition) against unauthorized access. The problem is only writing to the file, not reading it. It is best to move KMZ to a different directory.
This can happen on a file that does not support multiple access. You may find that another program you are using is preventing you from working with the file. Running programs (including those in the background) should be verified. Sometimes you have to wait for the session to the file KMZ to close. Antivirus programs or a backup being made may lock the file for a while without the user's knowledge. If the problem persists, restart the machine.