SFX files are self-extracting archives that can store one or several items and they can automatically start extracting and decompressing the contents when opened, therefore no decompression tool will be required.
When making their own SFX files, users will need to add the files to be compressed, then set assign the archive a custom icon or encrypt its contents.
One will also be able to use their previously created archives and encrypt them to SFX files.
Applications that support SFX creation may be either command-line utilities that are typically chosen by experienced users, or they can feature intuitive user interface so that even novices can successfully operate them.