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A KMZ file is a compressed package of map information. It usually contains a KML file describing places, lines, or shapes, plus any supporting files such as custom icons and pictures. Google Earth Pro is a practical way to open, edit, and create a KMZ file on Windows.
KMZ versus KML: what is the difference?
| File | What it contains | When it is useful |
|---|---|---|
| KML | Text-based geographic data, such as coordinates and placemarks | Sharing simple map information or editing the markup |
| KMZ | A ZIP-compressed KML package, which can include images and other assets | Keeping a map and its supporting files together |
| ZIP copy of a KMZ | The same archive opened for inspection | Checking the internal KML and assets; not converting an unrelated file into a map |
Google’s KMZ documentation explains the archive structure and relative file paths. Renaming a photo, spreadsheet, or ordinary ZIP file to .kmz does not turn it into valid geographic data.
How to open a KMZ file in Windows
- Install Google Earth Pro from Google’s official download page if it is not already installed.
- Open Earth Pro and choose File > Open.
- Select the .kmz file. Look for the imported item in the Places panel, often under Temporary Places.
- Expand its folders and tick the items you want to display. Double-click a placemark to move to its location.
Keep an untouched copy before editing. Only open files from sources you trust: a map can include outside links and remote resources as well as coordinates.
How to create a KMZ file with a place or polygon
- In Earth Pro, find the area you want to mark.
- Use Add > Placemark for a point or Add > Polygon for an area. Give it a clear name.
- For a polygon, click around its boundary, then save the shape. Check that the boundary follows the intended area.
- If you have several items, place them in one folder in the Places panel.
- Right-click the item or folder, choose Save Place As, and select KMZ as the file type.
- Reopen the saved file to check the locations, labels, and any pictures.
Google’s Earth Pro annotation tutorial covers placemarks, paths, polygons, and saving your work. Our guide to Google Earth’s useful features offers more ways to explore your map.
How to edit a KMZ file
Open it in Earth Pro, right-click the placemark or shape, and choose Properties on Windows. Change the name, description, style, or geometry as needed, then use Save Place As to create a new file. Editing an item in the Places panel does not mean your original downloaded KMZ has already been overwritten.
Advanced users can inspect a copy with a ZIP tool and edit the KML as text. Keep the folder structure and relative links intact. Missing icons or pictures often point to a broken path or an asset that was never included.
Can you use KMZ in Google Earth on the web?
Yes. Google’s current Earth import guide supports KML/KMZ, but the way data is imported affects whether you can edit it. Map features, data layers, and local files have different limits. Use Earth Pro if the web version does not preserve a feature you need.
If a map website offers many separate KMZ downloads, a batch-download tool can help collect ordinary file links. It cannot fix an invalid file or bypass a site’s access controls.
Before sharing your map
Check for home addresses, private routes, photos, and personal notes. Test the exported file on another device where possible. A KMZ is a convenient package, not encryption or a privacy setting.