How to unzip zip files

Sometimes when you want to download a file, you realize that it comes in a format .zip. If you don’t know what it is and you’re having trouble opening it, you’re in the right place. This article will teach you how to unzip zip files using default applications on Windows and macOS, as well as third-party programs.

Two ways to unzip zip files

There are two ways to extract compressed files:

1. Using the built-in software of your operating system.
2. Using third party tools.

Let’s look at each of these options in more detail.

1. Use a tool built into the operating system

First of all, we are going to see how to extract files using the software found in Windows and macOS. Since you are using what your computer already has, there is no need to download another tool.

Windows

To unzip files .zip with default Windows support follow these steps:

1. Right-click the file you want to unzip and choose Remove all.
2. Choose the folder where you want to save the extracted files and click Extract. It is optional to check the box below if you need to see the content when the extraction is finished.
3. The files that were inside the .zip they can now be found in the location you chose in the second step.

macOS

Compression Utility is the Mac’s built-in tool that handles formatting .zip. To unzip a file on macOS, follow these steps:

1. Double-click the file you want to unzip.
2. Once extracted, the file will appear in the same folder as the compressed one.

If you want to change the default folder location, go to your local drive and find the folder System -> Library -> Core services -> Applications -> Compression Utility. Once there, select preferences and set the location by clicking Save uncompressed items.

If you use Linux, you can read here a detailed guide on how to use the .

Use a third-party tool

Although there is no need to download third-party tools to extract an archive .zipthey come with additional features that allow you to customize, password protect and repair your zip files.

Here we recommend some of them.

This file archiver is free and open source with 2-10% higher compression rate than WinZip and PKZip. It also has its own 7z extension which compresses data 30-70% better than the . .zip.

Although it is only available for Windows, it also has a Linux/Posix command line port called .

To unzip with this tool, follow these steps:

1. Right click on the file you intend to extract. 7-Zip should show up there after installation.
2. Go to 7-Zip and you will see a dropdown menu with several commands. click on extract files.
3. In the next menu, choose the save location by clicking on the three dots. Leave it like this if you want it in the same folder as the original. click on To accept.
4. you can also choose Extract here to immediately save your file to the file location or Extract in to make a folder with the extracted data.

Like 7-Zip, Zipware is also a Windows-only extractor. However, it has some features that stand out, such as a simplified file manager, a password manager, the conversion of all supported formats to .zip, .exe either .7z and a virus scanner.

Decompression with this tool follows the same method as the previous ones, with slightly different options:

• Extract to this folder: for immediate extraction to the zip location.
• Extract to this folder + \File name\: for a similar result but with a folder with the name of the file.
• Extract another…: Opens a dropdown menu to choose another location.

Regardless of the method you use, it is good practice to delete the file .zip after extracting their contents, since keeping both consumes more space.

What is a .zip file?

A file .zip is an archive that contains one or more files that have been compressed to reduce their size. Compressing a file is useful as it saves up to 80% or more of storage space.

In addition, compressing large files allows them to be uploaded and sent over the Internet more quickly, while also reducing the chance that they will become corrupted. Users can also use the format .zip to encrypt your data for added security.

Many programs can be used to uncompress files. However, your computer usually comes equipped with a built-in program that can perform the task without a hitch.

conclusion

A zip file is a compression method that saves storage by reducing file sizes.

You can unzip files using the default Windows and macOS settings or by using third-party software like Zipware and 7-Zip.

The process itself only takes a few clicks, so you can have the task done in no time.

How to unzip files FAQ

In this section, we will answer some common questions about compressed files.

What are the most popular file formats?

RAR – supports splitting into multiple volumes and offers error recovery functions.
ZIP – is popular with desktop users as it is compatible with all major operating systems, but requires proprietary software for compression and archiving.
7Z – supports multi-threaded operations for optimal compression ratio.
ART – a UNIX-based archive format often used with the GZIP algorithm for file compression.
APKs – built based on the ZIP file format to exclusively distribute installation packages for Android operating systems.
DMG – a disk image format for macOS.

How does archiving work?

The archiving process consists of combining multiple files and treating them as one. Doing so allows you to implement multiple actions on these files more efficiently, including but not limited to compression, encryption, and data transfer.

This process is usually done by compressing the files in question to make them easier to manage. Preserving the original data structure depends on whether the lossy or lossless data compression method is used.

Betania is a copywriter with a passion for digital marketing and website creation. She writes tutorials and performs SEO analysis on ‘s Content team. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, singing or watching a good classic movie.