How to Extract Files

Compression (zip) helps to encapsulate multiple files into a single file. Compression is very common with email attachments and internet downloads. Continue reading the article to learn how to unzip (also known as “extract”) a zip file.

Table of Contents

By default program on Windows

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Double-click the .zip file . On Windows computers with operating systems XP and later, there is a built-in decompression program. Double-click the compressed file (.zip) to open the built-in system. Or you can right-click the archive and select ” Extract all”. The built-in decompression program will also open. ^{[1] X Research Sources} .

If your computer uses an operating system older than Windows XP, the decompression program will not be available. Instead, you must download decompression software such as WinZip. Follow the instructions in the WinZip section to use the program.
You can also apply this right-click to extract with a different decompression program than the default selection by hovering over “open with” and then selecting from the list of loaded programs.

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Select the destination path. Use the ” browse ” button to select the location where you want to save the new extracted file. ^{[1] X Research Sources} .

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Click ” Extract “. Once the file and destination have been selected, click the ” Extract ” button.

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Find files. Go to the folder you specified in the last step and get the extracted files.

By default program on Mac

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Double-click the .zip file . When you double-click the .zip file, the built-in Mac extractor will automatically activate and extract the file.

To choose a decompressor other than the default, click on the zipped folder while holding down the ” Command ” key (Apple). A list will pop up, here click ” Open With ” and then select the decompression program you want to use.

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Find files. If you use the default Mac program, the extracted files will be in the same folder (and name) as the original archive. If there are multiple files, they will be numbered consecutively, for example: fpdername1, fpdername2, and so on.

By WinZip (downloadable software)

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Download and install WinZip. Go to WinZip.com, download and install the software.

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Open WinZip. Double-click the WinZip file icon. A box will appear asking you to accept the terms and conditions, click “agree”.

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Select file. Use winzip to select all .zip files that you want to extract as regular files.

Advice

You need to make sure you unzip the file to the correct folder.
Other decompressors for PC include: 7-Zip, IZArc, jZip, PeaZip, TugZip and Zipeg; on Mac are: Zipeg, MacZip, Stuffit, Unarchiver and SimplyRAR. But this is not all.

Warning

You should download WinZip (or any decompression software) from reputable and reliable sources. Third-party sites can flood your computer with malware and ads.

Steps

By default program on Windows

By default program on Mac

By WinZip (downloadable software)

Advice

Warning

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