.NZB File Extension

NewzBin Usenet Index File

Developer NewzBin.com
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What is an NZB file?

An NZB file is an XML file used to retrieve posts from Usenet servers. It contains summary information about a Usenet post, including the post's ID, poster name, posting groups, file names, and file segments. NZB files are similar to .TORRENT files, in that they are files used to download other files.

More Information

Screenshot of a .nzb file in Microsoft Visual Studio Code
NZB file open in Microsoft Visual Studio Code

Usenet is a distributed, worldwide discussion system that users use to read and post messages within newsgroups. Users can also post binary files to newsgroups, allowing them to share media and other non-text content with other Usenet users.

Newzbin.com developed the NZB file format to allow them to index binary newsgroup posts. NZB files contain a record of the metadata needed to download a post. If a user possesses a post's NZB file, they can import that file into their Usenet client and use it to download the post.

Posts may be split into several UseNet messages, or segments. In those cases, the segments and the order in which they should be assembled post-download are defined in the post's NZB file. Usenet clients automatically assemble posts that are split into multiple segments.

How to open an NZB file

NZB files are typically not meant to be opened. Instead, they are meant to be imported into a Usenet client and used to download a Usenet post. For example, in the SABnzbd client (cross-platform), you can import an NZB file by clicking the Add button found in the Add File section of the app's Home screen.

If you want to view the XML-formatted text that an NZB file contains, you can open the file in any text editor.

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Programs that open NZB files

Linux
Free
Free

Verified by FileInfo.com

The FileInfo.com team has independently researched the NewzBin Usenet Index file format and Mac, Windows, and Linux apps listed on this page. Our goal is 100% accuracy and we only publish information about file types that we have verified.

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