{"id":728,"date":"2016-12-24T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-12-24T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.hostinger.io\/hostinger-tutorials\/uncategorized\/how-to-zip-and-unzip-files-in-windows\/"},"modified":"2025-04-23T09:23:35","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T09:23:35","slug":"how-to-unzip-files","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/in\/tutorials\/how-to-unzip-files","title":{"rendered":"How to Unzip Files in Windows and macOS (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sometimes when you want to download a file, you might notice that it comes in a .zip<\/strong> format. If you don’t know what it is and are having trouble opening it, you’ve come to the right place! <\/p>

This article is going to teach you how to unzip files using default applications in Windows and macOS as well as third-party programs.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>

How to Unzip Files<\/h2>

There are two ways to extract zipped files:<\/p>

    \n
  1. By using your operating system’s built-in software.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. By using third-party tools.<\/li>\n<\/ol>

    Let’s look at each one of these options in more detail.<\/p>

    1. Unzipping Files Using an OS Built-In Tool<\/h3>

    First, let’s take a look at how to extract files using native software found in Windows and macOS. Because you’re only using what your computer already has, there is no need to download another tool.<\/p>

    Windows<\/h4>

    While it is possible to see the content of a zip file by double-clicking on it on Windows, you still need to extract the files to use it. The Windows default support for .zip<\/strong> goes by the name of Compressed (zipped) folders and here’s how to use it:<\/p>

      \n
    1. Right-click the file that you want to decompress and choose Extract All<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Choose the directory where you want to keep the extracted files and click Extract<\/strong>. It is optional to check the box underneath if you need to see the content immediately after the extraction is done.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. The files that were inside the .zip<\/strong> now can be found in the location you picked in step two.
      \"Step<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>

      macOS<\/h4>

      Archive Utility is Mac’s built-in tool that handles the .zip<\/strong> format. To unzip a file, follow these steps:<\/p>

        \n
      1. Double-click on the file you want to unzip.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Once extracted, the file will appear in the same folder as its archive.
        \"A<\/li>\n<\/ol>
        \n
        \"Archive<\/figure><\/div>

        If you want to change the default folder location, access Internal Hard Drive<\/strong> -> System<\/strong> -> Library<\/strong> -> Core Services<\/strong> -> Archive Utility<\/strong>. Once there, select Preferences<\/strong> and set the location by clicking Save Expanded Files<\/strong>.
        <\/p>

        If you’re using Linux, read here for an in-depth guide<\/a> on how to unzip your file.<\/p>

        2. Unzipping Files Using a Third-Party Tool<\/h3>

        While it is not necessary to download third-party tools to extract a .zip<\/strong> file, they do come with added features that allow you to customize, password-protect, and repair your zip files.<\/p>

        Below are our recommendations.<\/p>

        7-Zip<\/a><\/h4>

        This file archiver is a free and open-source program with a 2-10% higher compression rate compared to WinZip and PKZip. It also has its own 7z extension that compresses data 30-70% better than the .zip<\/strong> format.<\/p>

        Although it is only available for Windows, it also has a port for Linux\/Posix command line called p7zip<\/a>.<\/p>

        To unzip with this tool, follow these steps:<\/p>

          \n
        1. Right-click<\/strong> on the file that you plan to extract. 7-Zip should be listed there after installation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Hover your mouse above the program name, and you will see a drop-down menu with multiple commands. Click Extract Files<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. In the next menu, choose the save location by clicking on the three dots, leave it be if you want it in the same folder as the original. Click OK<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. Alternatively, you can also choose Extract Here<\/strong> to immediately save your file in the archive’s location or Extract to [File Name]<\/strong> to make a folder out of the extracted data.<\/li>\n<\/ol>

          Zipware<\/a><\/h4>

          Just like 7-Zip, Zipware is also a Windows-only extractor. However, it has a few features that stand out, such as a streamlined file manager, a password manager, conversion of all compatible formats to .zip<\/strong>, .exe<\/strong>, or .7z<\/strong> and a virus scan.<\/p>

          Again, decompressing using this tool follows the same method as the previous ones with slightly different options:<\/p>