FC0-U71 Applications and Software Practice Question
Which file extension typically indicates a compressed archive in Windows?
⚠ Common exam trap
FC0-U71 often tests basic file-extension recognition, and the trap is that .docx is technically a ZIP container internally — candidates who know this may overthink and pick it instead of the obvious general-purpose archive extension.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
.zip
.zip is the standard compressed archive format on Windows, bundling one or more files into a single compressed container. Windows Explorer natively supports creating and extracting .zip files without third-party tools, making it the default archive extension.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
.docx
Why it's wrong here
A .docx file is an Office Open XML document, not an archive format, so it does not indicate a compressed archive. It is tempting because .docx files are internally ZIP containers, but that packaging is an implementation detail; the extension identifies a Word document. A .zip extension would be the correct choice for a compressed archive.
- ✗
.jpg
Why it's wrong here
A .jpg file stores a single compressed image using lossy JPEG encoding, not a container holding multiple files. It is tempting because JPEG compression reduces image size, which sounds like archiving, but that is media compression. A .jpg would be the right answer only if the question asked for a common image format.
- ✗
.mp4
Why it's wrong here
The .mp4 extension denotes an ISO base media container for video and audio streams, not an archive, so it cannot hold multiple compressed files for extraction. It is tempting because media containers do bundle several tracks together, and .mp4 would be the right answer if the question asked about storing video with synchronised audio.
- ✓
.zip
Why this is correct
The .zip extension denotes a compressed archive container in Windows, holding one or more files in compressed form. Executable extensions such as .exe or document extensions such as .docx do not indicate compression, making .zip the extension that typically signals a compressed archive.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This FC0-U71 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the FC0-U71 exam.