How do I use my downloaded .Zip file? What do I do if my file won't open?
After you’ve purchased a digital download and followed the proper download instructions, you'll decorations will arrive contained in a .Zip file. A .Zip file is a type of compressed file which reduces file size and also ensures that your downloaded files are not corrupt.
To use your digital decorations, you'll first need to open your .Zip file. This process is also known as "extracting" or "decompressing".
(If you already know how to use a .Zip file, skip down to the bottom section titled Common Problems.)
How to Open Your .Zip File
Opening Your .Zip File on a Mac
On a Mac, just double-click on the file and a new folder will appear that contains all of your digital decorations. You can then move those files to a USB Drive, SD Card, or directly to another device. Or, if you plan to run your digital downloads directly from your computer, then drag the files to wherever you would like to store them.
Opening Your .Zip File on a PC
On a PC, you will need to right-click the folder and then choose uncompress or unzip from the drop-down menu list of options. A new folder will appear that contains all of your digital decorations. You can then move those files to your USB Drive or SD Card for easy access! Or, if you plan to run your digital downloads directly from your computer, then drag the files to wherever you would like to store them. (We also recommend keeping a back-up for safety).
Using a Phone or Tablet
AtmosFX always recommends using a desktop or laptop computer to download your files. Downloading to a phone or tablet is possible, but it requires extra steps, and you may not have enough free space. For more information, please visit this Help Center article:
Can I use my phone or tablet to access digital downloads?
Common Problems
If your .Zip file will not open, you should receive an error message which will explain what is happening. Here are three common causes for this problem which you can explore
The file did not finish downloading and became "corrupt"
Digital download file sizes can be very large, ranging from a few hundred MB for individual scenes, or over 6 GB for complete collections. That means it is not unusual for downloads to get interrupted, leaving you with an incomplete .Zip file which can not be opened.
In this case, your error message may say that your file is "corrupt". That sounds a bit more alarming than it should. All you need to do is try downloading your file again until it is complete. Here are some tips you can try for a more reliable download:
- Pause any internet activity on your network, including streaming media, online games, and other downloads
- Download only one file at a time - trying to download multiple files at the same time often causes failure
- Connect directly to your modem using an ethernet cable, rather than using a wireless connection
- Try downloading your order outside of peak download times (evenings and weekends)
- If necessary, try downloading from a different location with a stronger internet connection
Your computer does not have enough free space
Opening a .Zip file requires a lot of free space. You may need to remove some unnecessary files from your computer. If you have files in your recycle bin, you will need to empty the bin before the free space can be used.
To save space, you may choose to delete the original .Zip file after it is opened successfully.
Your computer does not have enough processing power
Opening a .Zip file uses a lot of processing power. If your .Zip file will not open, you may need to close any other programs currently running before trying again.