What is MIME type "application/x-lzh-compressed"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

application/x-lzh-compressed marks files compressed with the LZH algorithm. It tells programs that the file is an archive using a specific legacy compression method.

This format bundles many files into one and reduces their size for easier storage and transfer.

Data Archiving: Packages multiple files in a single container.
Space Saving: Compresses data to reduce file sizes.
Legacy Support: Opens older archive formats that some systems still use.

Files using this MIME type are normally saved with the LZH or LHA extension.

Extraction tools that support LZH archives, such as certain versions of WinRAR, 7-Zip, or other dedicated archivers, are required to unpack and view the contents.

For more details on MIME types and related formats, see the resources on MIME Types.

Associated file extensions

.lzh, .lha

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: application/x-lzh-compressed

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/x-lzh-compressed">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');    
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {    
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/x-lzh-compressed');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.lzh, .lha

FAQs

How do I open a file with the MIME type application/x-lzh-compressed?

You need specific file archiving software to open these files, as most operating systems do not support them natively. Popular tools include 7-Zip and WinRAR on Windows, or The Unarchiver on macOS. Once installed, right-click the file ending in .lzh or .lha and select the extraction option.

How do I configure Apache to serve LZH files correctly?

To ensure your Apache server sends the correct headers, add AddType application/x-lzh-compressed .lzh .lha to your .htaccess file or main configuration. This prevents browsers from misinterpreting the binary data as text.

What Nginx settings are needed for application/x-lzh-compressed?

In Nginx, you should locate your mime.types file or the types block within your server configuration. Add the line application/x-lzh-compressed lzh lha; to map the extensions to the MIME type, then reload the server configuration.

Why does my browser download the file instead of displaying it?

Web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) do not have built-in engines to decode or display LZH archives. Consequently, when a server sends the application/x-lzh-compressed header, the browser defaults to downloading the file for local processing.

Is application/x-lzh-compressed the only MIME type for LZH files?

No, because LZH is an older, non-standardized format, you may see variations. Common alternatives include application/lzh, application/x-lha, or the generic binary type application/octet-stream. However, application/x-lzh-compressed is specific and clear for legacy support.

Are files with this MIME type safe?

As with any archive format like application/zip, the safety depends on the contents inside the archive. An application/x-lzh-compressed file itself is just a container, but it can hide malware; always scan downloaded archives with antivirus software before extracting them.

Should I use LZH compression for new web projects?

It is generally recommended to avoid LZH for new projects due to its legacy status and lack of native OS support. Standard formats like ZIP or GZIP offer better compression and universal compatibility. Use application/x-lzh-compressed only when maintaining backward compatibility with older systems.

General FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.