March 30, 2023
4 min read
You could discover that a file you want to download occasionally is in.zip format. Do you need help opening a file that comes in a.zip format? Don’t worry, and this guide will teach you how to unzip files using different methods and tools.
This article will show you how to unzip files using third-party software and the built-in Windows and Mac apps.
There are two ways to extract zipped files, using your operating system’s built-in software or third-party tools. Let’s take a closer look at each option:
Both Windows and macOS have built-in tools that allow you to extract zip files.
In Windows, right-click the file you want to decompress and select “Extract All.” The files will be extracted to the location you selected. Choose the directory to keep the extracted files and click “Extract.”
In macOS, double-click the file you want to unzip. Once extracted, the file will appear in the same folder as its archive. To change the default folder location, access Internal Hard Drive -> System -> Library -> Core Services -> Archive Utility. Then, select “Preferences” and set the location by clicking “Save Expanded Files.”
Although it’s not necessary to download third-party tools to extract zip files, they do come with added features that allow you to customize, password-protect, and repair your zip files.
Here are our recommendations:
7-Zip is a free and open-source program with a 2-10% higher compression rate than WinZip and PKZip. It also has a 7z extension that compresses data 30-70% better than the .zip format.
Even though this tool is only available for Windows, it also has a port for Linux/Posix command line, known as p7zip.
To unzip files with this tool, please follow the below-mentioned:
Zipware is another Windows-only extractor with a streamlined file manager, a password manager, and the ability to convert all compatible formats to .zip, .exe, or .7z. To extract files with Zipware, right-click the file and select the extraction option you prefer.
Regardless of which tool you use, it’s a good practice to delete the .zip file after extracting its content to free up storage space.
What is a .zip File?
ZIP is an archive file format that supports lossless data compression. A ZIP file may contain one or more files or directories that may have been compressed. The ZIP file format permits several compression algorithms, though DEFLATE is the most common.
The most comprehensive range of Archive file formats includes the following:
Here are some important notes to keep in mind when working with zipped folders:
In conclusion, zipping a file is a helpful way to save storage space and make it easier to upload and send files over the internet. You can unzip files using default Windows and macOS settings or third-party software such as Zipware and 7-Zip. The process is simple and only takes a few clicks.