What is a LZH file?
LZH — LHA archive
Use the format LZH
A concrete example
Prepare a ZIP from a batch of files stored in LZH format.
Useful checks
Check non-Latin names and subfolders. Older variants may require a specific decompressor.
Choose a conversion
Keep the original and open the result in the software or on the device that will need to use it.
Your questions about this format
Why did I receive a TAR.GZ file?
Gzip compresses a stream, while TAR groups the files of a folder. The engine therefore combines the two to preserve the contents of a multi-part archive. Open the TAR.GZ with compatible software, then check the extracted files.
Does converting an archive change the documents inside?
The goal is to change their container, not to convert each document. A PDF in an archive remains a PDF. To change its format, extract it and then use the Documents theme.
Will a ZIP archive necessarily be smaller?
No. JPEG photos, videos, or already compressed archives may shrink very little. Compare the size and prioritize especially the format that your recipient knows how to open.
What to do with a protected or damaged archive?
The form does not ask for a password. Unlock your archive locally if you are allowed to, then try again with a copy. If it is damaged, first check that your local software can extract the files; paying does not repair an unreadable archive.
What is it?
LZH is an old archive format that has all but disappeared everywhere — except in Japan, where it remained the standard for a long time.
It compresses reasonably well for its era and bundles multiple files together, much like a ZIP.
History & origin
The format was created in 1988 in Japan by a developer who released it for free.
That free licensing led to widespread adoption in the country, and it still turns up today in old archives, period software, and documentary collections.
Why it is useful
A respectable compression ratio for its generation.
It retains documentary value: in some cases, it's the only format in which certain Japanese archives survive.
Limits & drawbacks
Nearly abandoned: no system opens it natively, and few programs still support it.
Its performance has been thoroughly outpaced by newer formats.
Practical tips
Convert your LZH files to ZIP or 7Z to ensure they remain readable in the future.
Do it soon: fewer and fewer programs are able to open them each year.
Convert your LZH in seconds, on our secure servers in France.
Convert a LZH