Understanding NZB Files and Usenet Access

NZB files are a useful way to access specific articles across multiple Usenet newsgroups. They act as a guide for your newsreader, directing it to the exact locations of all the parts that make up an article set, without the need to search manually.

Each NZB file contains metadata in XML format. This metadata corresponds to the headers of Usenet articles—such as subject, date, and group name—and tells the newsreader which articles to access and from where. Because NZBs eliminate the need to retrieve headers for entire newsgroups, they allow for faster, more efficient access.

Tools Needed to Use NZB Files

To work with NZB files, two main tools are required:

1. A Newsreader That Supports NZBs
   Newsreaders like SABnzbd, NZBGet, Newsbin, NewsLeecher, or other clients are designed to read NZB files and access articles accordingly. When an NZB is opened in one of these clients, the software takes care of requesting the specific articles from the Usenet server.

2. An NZB Indexer
   An Indexer scans and organizes the millions of articles on Usenet into searchable databases. Many Indexers let you search by name or category and offer NZB generation tools. These NZBs can then be used with your newsreader to access the desired article sets. Some Indexers are free, while others require a subscription.

UsenetServer users have the added benefit of Global Search 2.0, an advanced Usenet search feature built directly into the UsenetServer control panel. Global Search 2.0 makes it possible to search across all newsgroups included in your service and create custom NZBs without relying on third-party tools. This integrated search tool offers filters by group, date range, and relevance, helping users build highly targeted NZBs based on their interests. You can read more detailed instructions for using Global Search 2.0 on our Support page.

How the Process Works

1. Search for articles using an NZB Indexer or Global Search 2.0.

2. Generate or acquire the NZB file linked to the article set.

3. Open the NZB in your newsreader.

4. The newsreader connects to the Usenet server and accesses all parts of the article across relevant newsgroups.

This method is particularly effective when paired with a provider offering long article retention and high completion rates like UsenetServer, as it increases the chance that all parts of the article are still available on the server.