Buzz
Zipping (compressing) allows multiple files to be bundled into a single file. This process is commonly used for email attachments and downloads from the internet. Keep reading to learn how to unzip (also referred to as "extracting") zip files.
Steps
Using the Default Program on Windows
Double-click the .zip file. On Windows XP and later versions, the operating system comes with a built-in extraction tool. Double-click the compressed file (.zip) to open the integrated system. Alternatively, you can right-click the compressed file and select "Extract all". The built-in extraction tool will also open.
- If your computer runs on an operating system older than Windows XP, it won’t have a built-in extraction tool. Instead, you’ll need to download extraction software like WinZip. Follow the instructions in the WinZip section to use the program.
- You can also use the right-click method to extract files using a different extraction program by hovering over "open with" and selecting from the list of installed programs.
Select the destination path. Use the "browse button" to choose the location where you want to save the newly extracted files.
Click "Extract". After selecting the files and destination, click the "Extract" button.
Locate the files. Navigate to the folder you specified in the previous step and retrieve the unzipped files.
Using the Default Program on Mac
Double-click the .zip file. When you double-click the .zip file, the built-in extraction tool on Mac will automatically activate and extract the files.
- To choose a different extraction program instead of the default, click the compressed folder while holding the "Command" (Apple) key. A list will pop up; here, click "Open With" and select the extraction program you want to use.
Locate the extracted files. When using the default Mac application, the extracted files will be in the same folder and share the name of the original compressed file. If multiple files are present, they will be sequentially numbered, such as foldername1, foldername2, and so on.
Using WinZip (downloadable software)
Download and install WinZip. Visit WinZip.com, download, and install the software.
Launch WinZip. Double-click the WinZip file icon. A window will appear asking you to accept the terms and conditions; click 'agree' to proceed.
Select the files. Use WinZip to choose all .zip files you wish to extract into regular files.
Click the 'Unzip' button at the top. A window will appear, allowing you to select the folder where you want to save the files, then click 'unzip'.
Locate the files. Navigate to the folder you just selected to find the extracted files.
Tips
- Ensure you extract the files into the correct folder.
- Other decompression tools for PC include: 7-Zip, IZArc, jZip, PeaZip, TugZip, and Zipeg; for Mac, options are: Zipeg, MacZip, Stuffit, Unarchiver, and SimplyRAR. However, this is not an exhaustive list.
Warning
- It is advisable to download WinZip (or any extraction software) from reputable and trustworthy sources. Third-party websites may expose your computer to malware and excessive advertisements.
