Opening .evz Backup Archive Files in EthoVision XT
Last updated: Nov 01, 2026
Problem
User tries to open an EthoVision experiment file with a .evz extension but EthoVision only appears to accept .evx or .evxt files. The file cannot be opened by double-clicking or using the standard Open dialog.
Details
The .evz extension is used for EthoVision backup archives (e.g., sample experiments or backups created via the built-in backup function). These cannot be opened directly like a standard experiment file. Affects all versions of EthoVision XT that support the backup/restore workflow.
Solution
1. Open EthoVision XT.
2. Go to File > Restore Backup.
3. Browse to the location of your .evz file.
4. Select the .evz file and click Open.
5. EthoVision will restore the experiment to a working folder. Once restored, the experiment can be opened and used normally.
Note: Do not attempt to rename the .evz file to .evxt — this will not work. Always use the Restore Backup function.