Have you received an email with a ZIP file attachment, and you didn’t know what to do with it? Just like regular digital folders, you can easily open a ZIP file on almost any computer or operating system. But, unlike regular folders, you need more than just a simple double-click to use the files inside it. Here’s how to open a ZIP file on a Windows PC, Mac, iPhone, and Android devices.
Open File Explorer and find the zipped folder. To unzip the entire folder, right-click to select Extract All, and then follow the instructions. To unzip a single file or folder, double-click the zipped folder to open it. Then, drag or copy the item from the zipped folder to a new location. Aug 05, 2018 S0metimes you may want to see, or even transfer, files on your smartphone to your Windows PC. However, sometimes when you connect your phone, via a USB cable, to your PC, the computer doesn’t. You can’t open DMG files directly in Windows, though. For that, you’ll need a third-party tool. Open DMG Files in Windows By Using 7-Zip or DMG Extractor. There are a lot of different tools you can use to extract DMG files in Windows. Our two favorites are 7-Zip and DMG Extractor. In our testing, we found a few DMG files that would open. Use a file explorer, like Microsoft Files or Pocket Explorer to do so. Integrates with Windows Phone to open.rar,.tar,.7z,.gz files directly from other applications Limitations:. Cannot directly associate with the.zip extension due to Microsoft's restrictions.
What is a ZIP File?
A ZIP file is a type of file format that contains compressed filesand folders for the purpose of archiving, storage, and/or transmission. It istreated as one file when being transferred or transmitted from one digitalstorage space to another. These files have the file extension “.zip” atthe end of their name.
Most operating systems have built-in software that can create and open ZIP files. But there is also third-party software you can use, such as WinZip, 7zip, and WinRAR, that can also do the same.
How to Open a ZIP File on Windows 10
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If you’re using a PC at home, you can easily open a ZIP file with thebuilt-in Windows Compressed Folder.To open a ZIP file using this Windows 10 feature, simply follow the stepsbelow:
- Locate the ZIP file you want to open. If you downloaded the ZIP file from the internet or as an email attachment, you might find it in the Downloads folder in your System Drive.
- Right-click on the ZIP file and select “Extract All…” Once you select “Extract All,” you will get a new pop-up menu.
- In the pop-up menu, select a location to extract the files. If you want your files to be extracted in another location, click “Browse” and select your destination in the pop-up window.
- Once you’ve selected a destination folder, click “OK.”Note: Make sure to check “Show extracted files when complete” so you can immediately find the unzipped files after it is opened and extracted.
- Finally, click “Extract” in the pop-up menu. The built-in software will start extracting the files from inside the ZIP folder.
Once the extraction is complete, a window will pop-up, displayingall the extracted files from the ZIP file.
How to Open ZIP Files on Mac?
If you have a Mac, you can still easily unzip orextract files from a ZIP file using Mac’s Archive Utility tool. Here’s how toopen a ZIP file using the Archive Utility tool in Mac:
- Locate the ZIP file you want to open. If you’re not sure where you stored the ZIP file after downloading it, check the Downloads folder.
- Double-click the ZIP file. This will automatically begin the file extraction, which may take a few seconds to a few minutes, depending on the number and size of the files being extracted.
When the extraction is complete, a window will pop up to displaythe extracted files or folders. If no window opens up after the extraction iscomplete, simply locate the extracted folder to display the extractedfiles.
How to Open a ZIP File on Android Devices
For Android phones, you will needto download and install a zip file opener, such as the Files app from Google Play Store, to extract files from a ZIP file. The application comespre-installed on many Android phones. To check if you already have the app, tapthe Apps button, which looks like a square of four or nine dots on your homescreen.
- Open the Files app. If you’re going through the initial setup, you may have to give the app access to photos, media, and files in your device. Click Allow to do this.
- Then click Browse at the bottom of your screen.
- Locate the ZIP file you want to extract. If you’ve downloaded it as an attachment from an email, you may find it in the “Download” folder.
- Tap the file you want to open and then tap Extract. This will open a list of the files in the ZIP folder.
- Finally, tap Done. You can access any of the files by tapping “All” at the top of your screen and then clicking the downward arrow next to the right of a file. Then tap “Open with” and choose an application.
How to Open Zip Files on an iPhone
Much like with Mac computers, iPhones and other Apple devices havea default feature that allows you to see your ZIP files. However, to actuallyextract workable files from a ZIP file on your mobile device, you need toinstall an archiving application such as iZip from the App Store. Much like the Files app for Android, iZip isa free application so no need to worry about fees or subscription costs.
- Download, install, and open the iZip app.
- Then tap Files at the top of your screen. This will only work after you have downloaded the ZIP file to your iPhone.
- Locate the ZIP file you want to extract files from. If you’ve downloaded the file from a website or an email, check for the ZIP file inside your Files app. Note: If you do not see your ZIP file in Files, go back to the ZIP file and select the “send to” button. Then tap “More” and select “Copy to iZip.”
- Tap the ZIP file you want to extract. Then, tap and hold for a second or two to open a pop-up menu.
- Finally, tap OK in the pop-up. This will automatically unzip (or extract) all the files in the ZIP folder. Depending on the size, this may take a few seconds to a few minutes.
Once you have extracted all the filesand folders, you can view them through the iZip app. If you want to open a filewith a certain app, tap the “Open In” button at the bottom of your screen.
Now that you know how to open a ZIP file on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android, check out our article on how to zip a file or create zip files.
Updated on December 6, 2019
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The compression of files frees up storage space on a hard drive. ZIP files are encrypted so information sent as an email attachment is more secure. The decreased size of a compressed file speeds email transmission.
If your email provider restricts the size of attachments ZIP files enable you to send larger files and stay within attachment size limits.
But sometimes you need to compress files and don’t have access to WinZip – so what do you do? We put together 5 easy ways to compress files without Winzip:
How To Unzip Windows
ZIP File Disadvantages
One corrupted file within a ZIP file can contaminate one, some, or all of the files within the ZIP file. Corruption can prevent a compressed file from opening properly. Opening ZIP files use memory and without sufficient memory, the compressed file can not be opened. Processor speed is slowed when opening a compressed file so a ZIP file can not be opened quickly.
Creating ZIP Files in Windows 7, 8, and 10
How To Unzip Files On Windows Phone Number
In the three most recent Windows operating systems a ZIP file can be created in five steps.
- To combine multiple files create and name a new folder
- Move the desired files to the new folder
- After all the files have been moved right click the folder you created
- Choose “send to” to open a second menu
- Click “Compressed (zipped) folder”
It will take a little time for your ZIP file to be created. You can compress a single file using the same steps.
How to Unzip Without WinZip Windows 10
WinZip is a program that facilitates the opening of ZIP files in Windows. Here is how to unzip without WinZip Windows 10
- Find the desired ZIP file
- Open the file explorer by double-clicking the desired file.
- Locate “Compressed Folder Tools” at the top of the File Explorer menu
- Click “Extract” immediately below “Compressed Folder Tools”
- Wait for a pop-up window to appear
- At the bottom of the pop-up window click “Extract”
Once unzipped the contents of the file should be revealed. If the file successfully unzips but does not open you can double click the file to reveal the contents.
How to Open RAR Files Without Winzip Windows 7
A Roshal Archive Compressed file (RAR) is an alternative to ZIP files. Let me apologize for the misleading header. According to in5stepstutorials.com RAR files cannot be opened in Windows 7, 8, or 10 without the installation of a utility like WinZip or 7-Zip. For that reason, 5 steps assert that ZIP files are the better choice for creating compressed files.
How to Open a 7z File Without WinZip Mac
A file with a 7z extension was created using the open source file compression software 7-Zip. Opening a 7z file without WinZip when using a Mac requires downloading the free multi-format compressed file opening utility The Unarchiver.
Just a Reminder
The pros of compressed ZIP files save space on a hard drive. Attaching a ZIP file to an email offers multiple advantages. The cons include increased risk of file corruption and ZIP files take longer to open.
In Windows 7 WinZip is not needed to unzip files. When deciding between using RAR or ZIP to create a compressed file go with ZIP. Windows 7-10 are incapable of opening a RAR file without downloading an unzip utility. To open a 7z file with Mac OS without WinZip you must install The Unarchiver.