How to Unzip Files in Windows 10 and 11

1. Quick answer: What are zips and how do I open them?

ZIP files are compressed folders that contain one or more files. For our downloadable resources, the ZIP file may include a product manual, worksheets, audio files, print-outs or additional classroom resources.

Think of it as a digital suitcase, something used to collate and compress multiple files, making them easier (and faster) to download. Once downloaded, you need to 'unzip' the case to access your files.

Windows has a built-in tool to extract files from a ZIP - no additional software is required.

• Locate the ZIP file on your computer (usually in your Downloads folder)

• Right-click the ZIP file - a context menu will appear. Select 'Extract All…' (see images below)

• In the next window, choose a destination folder (e.g. your Desktop or Documents folder). You can click Browse to choose the desired location.

• Click 'Extract' at the bottom of the window. The files will be unzipped and saved in the selected folder.

• From here you can access and open the downloaded resources

ZIPS in detail

The following sections delve further into the functionality of ZIP files and the software used to open and create them.

You don't always have to extract everything.

1. Double-click the ZIP file to view its contents.
2. Find the file or folder you want.
3. Drag it out of the ZIP window and drop it into another folder, such as Documents or your Desktop.

Windows will copy the selected item out of the archive.

You can also use the copy-and-paste commands where supported.

3. Where do my zipped files go?

becomes:

The original ZIP file will still be there.

• Desktop
• Documents
• Downloads
• A USB drive
• Another folder on your computer

If you can't find your extracted filesTry the following:

1. Return to the original ZIP file.
2. Right-click it and select Extract All... again.
3. Check the destination path displayed in the extraction window.
4. Open that folder in File Explorer.

You can also repeat the extraction and choose a location that's easier to remember.

Tip: Create a folder in Documents specifically for files you've extracted from ZIP archives. This can make them easier to find later.

This is useful when you want to send several documents, photographs or other files together.

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Select the files or folders you want to compress.
3. Right-click the selection.
4. Choose Compress to ZIP file if available, or Show more options > Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder.
5. Give the new ZIP file a descriptive name.

1. Select the files or folders.
2. Right-click your selection.
3. Choose Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder.
4. Rename the ZIP file if required.

Does creating a ZIP file delete my original files?

• 7-Zip - a free, open-source file archiving utility
• WinRAR - a commercial archiving utility with trial functionality
  

1. Download and install 7-Zip from its official website.
2. Locate the encrypted ZIP file.
3. Open it using 7-Zip.
4. Select the files you want to extract.
5. Choose Extract.
6. Enter the password when prompted.
7. Select a destination folder.

The files should then be extracted if the password is correct and the archive is supported.

Important: You need the correct password from the person or organisation that supplied the archive. Installing another extraction program will not bypass a forgotten password.

It depends on your Windows version. Windows 10 includes built-in support for ordinary ZIP archives but generally requires additional software for RAR and 7Z files.

1. Press Windows key + R.
2. Type winver.
3. Press Enter.
4. A window will display your Windows version.

7. Are ZIP files safe?

• Download ZIP files from websites and people you trust.
• Be cautious with unexpected email attachments.
• Keep Windows and your security software updated.
• Check the contents of an archive before running unfamiliar programs.
• Pay attention to Windows Security warnings.
• Be suspicious of files with misleading names or unexpected extensions.
• Avoid uploading private archives to unfamiliar online extraction services.

Remember: Extracting an archive and running a program inside it are different actions. Always check what you're opening, especially if the archive came from an unknown source.

1. Press Windows key + E.
2. Navigate to the folder containing your ZIP file.
3. Use the arrow keys to select the ZIP file.
4. Press Shift + F10 to open its context menu.
5. Use the arrow keys to locate Extract All, opening Show more options first if necessary.
6. Press Enter.
7. Use Tab to move between the destination controls.
8. Select Extract and press Enter.

These instructions may be particularly useful if you use keyboard navigation or assistive technology.

Using a screen readerWindows File Explorer can be used with screen readers such as Narrator and NVDA.

The exact spoken labels and navigation may vary depending on your Windows version and screen reader.

For the most predictable experience, use File Explorer's standard extraction controls rather than relying on dragging and dropping files.

No. Windows 10 and Windows 11 can extract ordinary ZIP files without additional software.

Yes. When talking about ZIP files, both terms describe unpacking the contents of an archive.

Can I unzip multiple ZIP files at once?

You can select multiple archives, but the built-in Windows extraction interface may not offer a convenient way to extract each archive separately in one operation.

Can I delete the ZIP file after extracting it?

Yes, provided you've checked that all the files were extracted successfully and you no longer need the original archive.

No. ZIP compression is lossless, which means the original file contents are preserved when they are extracted correctly.

Yes. Once the ZIP file is saved on your computer, Windows can extract it without an internet connection.

Yes. Select Browse during extraction and choose a folder on your USB drive.

Because the files inside the archive were compressed.

Yes. You can rename it just like most other files.

An archive application installed on your computer may have become the default program for ZIP files.

You may be extracting into a folder that already contains files with the same names.

Yes. On a Windows touchscreen device, you can generally press and hold a ZIP file to open its context menu, then select the extraction option.

Yes. ZIP files are widely supported across different operating systems.

Yes. Extract the outer ZIP archive first, then open and extract the ZIP file inside it.