A ZIP file is a common archive file format that allows you to combine one or more files and/or folders into a single file, while also compressing them to reduce their overall size. ZIP files can be thought of us a "digital package", and are useful for:
- Saving space
Compression reduces file sizes, which means they take up less storage on your device.
- Faster transfers
Smaller files download and upload more quickly, which is great for emailing or sharing online.
- Organizing files
You can group related files into a single ZIP file, keeping them tidy and easy to manage.
Tip:
You'll recognize a ZIP file by its .zip or .ZIP file extension.
Open files from a ZIP file
Opening a ZIP file is also referred to as "unzipping" or "extracting" its contents. Most modern operating systems have built-in tools to handle ZIP files, so you usually don't need extra software.
On Windows
- Find the .zip file on your computer.
- Right-click the file to open a context menu.
- Select Extract All... A wizard will pop up.
- Select where you want the extracted files to be saved. You can use the default location (usually a new folder with the same name as the ZIP file in the same directory) or browse for a different one.
- Click Extract. The files will be unzipped and placed in the chosen location.
Alternatively, you can double-click the ZIP file to open it like a regular folder. From there, you can drag and drop individual files or folders out of the zipped folder to another location.
On macOS
- Find the .zip file on your Mac.
- Double-click the ZIP file. MacOS's built-in "Archive Utility" will automatically extract the contents.
- A new folder with the same name as the ZIP file will be created in the same location, containing all the extracted files.
On Mobile Devices (iOS/Android)
iOS (iPhone/iPad): Open the "Files" app, locate the .zip file, then tap it. A folder containing the extracted files will be created in the same location.
Android: Open the "Files by Google" app or your device's default file manager, navigate to the folder with the .zip file, tap the file, then tap "Extract."
If your device doesn't have a built-in unzipping tool or you need more advanced features, like handling password-protected ZIP files or other archive formats like RAR or 7z, you can download third-party software like WinZip, 7-Zip, or WinRAR.
Download included files from a ZIP file
If someone sent you a ZIP file, as an email attachment or via a cloud storage link, the "downloading" part refers to saving the ZIP file itself to your computer.
Once you've downloaded the ZIP file, you then follow the "how to open (extract)" steps above to access the individual files inside.
- If it's an email attachment, click the download icon. If it's a web link, click the link to download the ZIP file.
- Your browser will usually prompt you to choose where you want to save the .zip file. Select a convenient location, like your "Downloads" folder or desktop.
- Click Save or OK to begin the download.
- Once the download is complete, follow the instructions above to get to the individual files.