This article explains how to extract the files and folders contained in a compressed archive in ZIP format and move them to a standard directory on your computer. Compressed files cannot normally be used until the data they contain is restored to its original form. It should be noted that the ZIP format adopts compression algorithms that are different from those used by other formats (for example the RAR format) and that is why it does not require the use of specific software to be managed on a computer. If you need to unzip a ZIP file on an iOS or Android device, you need to download a specific application instead.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Windows
Step 1. Locate the ZIP file to be processed
If you downloaded it from the web, you will find it in the default folder that the browser uses to store the data you download from the internet (for example the folder Download computer or desktop).
Step 2. Double click on the ZIP archive
A new window will appear in which the contents of the compressed folder will be present.
Step 3. Click on the Extract tab
It is placed in the upper part of the appeared window. A new tab toolbar will appear Extract.
Step 4. Click the Extract All button
It is visible in the tab toolbar Extract. A pop-up window will appear.
Step 5. Click the Browse… button
It is located on the right of the address bar visible at the top of the "Extracting Compressed Folders" window.
Skip this step and the next if you need to extract the ZIP file to the same folder it is stored in. This will create a normal folder, with the same name as the ZIP file, where all the unzipped data will be present
Step 6. Select a destination folder
Click on the directory name (for example Desktop) listed in the left panel of the new window that appeared to select where the unzipped files will be saved.
Step 7. Click the Select Folder button
It is located at the bottom of the window. At this point you will be redirected back to the "Extract Compressed Folders" dialog box.
Step 8. Click the Extract button
It is located in the lower right corner of the window. The files present in the ZIP archive will be extracted and stored in the indicated folder.
The time required to complete the data extraction procedure depends on the processing capacity of the computer and the size of the original ZIP file
Method 2 of 4: Mac
Step 1. Locate the ZIP file to be processed
If you have downloaded it from the web, it is very likely that you will find it in the "Download" folder of your Mac which you can access using a Finder window and clicking on the item Download listed in the left panel.
Step 2. Move the ZIP file if necessary
When you extract a ZIP file on Mac the data is stored in a folder that is created, by default, in the same directory where the original archive is. If you need the files to be unzipped in a specific folder, then move the ZIP file inside that folder before continuing (for example your Mac desktop).
- For example, if you unzip a ZIP file directly on the desktop, a normal folder will be created, containing all the data in the compressed archive, directly on the desktop.
- You can move the ZIP file by selecting it with a mouse click, pressing the key combination ⌘ Command + X, navigating to the destination directory and pressing the key combination ⌘ Command + V.
Step 3. Double-click the ZIP file to unzip
The content will be automatically extracted into the current folder.
Step 4. Wait for the data decompression procedure to finish
The time required to complete this step will vary based on the size of the ZIP archive. At the end of the procedure, the data in their normal form will be stored in a blue folder located in the same directory where the starting ZIP file is present and will also have the same name as the latter.
At this point you can access the new unzipped folder with a simple double click of the mouse
Method 3 of 4: iPhone
Step 1. Download and install the iZip app
Go to the iPhone App Store
and follow these instructions:
- Select the tab Search for;
- Tap the search bar;
- Type in the keyword izip and press the key Search for;
- Push the button Get located on the right of the "iZip" app;
- Enter your Apple ID password or authenticate with Touch ID when prompted.
Step 2. Open the ZIP file
Navigate to the folder or location where the ZIP archive to be decompressed is stored (for example an email) and select it.
The iZip app cannot be used to unzip a ZIP file stored within the iPhone's Files app
Step 3. Tap the "Share" icon
It is usually placed in one of the corners of the iPhone screen. A menu will appear with a series of options inside.
If the ZIP file in question is stored on Google Drive, you will need to press the button ⋯ and select the option Open in.
Step 4. Choose the Copy to iZip item
It is one of the options listed in the menu that appeared, but you may need to scroll through it to locate and select the item Copy to iZip. The ZIP file in question will be imported into the iZip app.
Step 5. Press the OK button
"Would you like to extract all files?" Is displayed in the pop-up window. appeared. The files in the ZIP file will be extracted from the iZip app and stored in a dedicated folder. At the end of the archive decompression phase, a new window will appear in which you can examine the files you have just extracted.
If you are not prompted to extract all files from the ZIP archive, select the tab first Extract located in the lower left corner of the screen.
Method 4 of 4: Android devices
Step 1. Download and install WinZip
Log in to Google Play Store
of your Android device and follow these instructions:
- Tap the search bar;
- Type in the winzip keyword;
- Select the app WinZip - Zip UnZip Tool;
- Push the button Install;
- Push the button I accept when required.
Step 2. Download the ZIP file to unzip on your Android device
Normally it is sufficient to access the service in which the file is currently stored (for example an e-mail from Gmail) and press the appropriate button Download
Step 3. Launch the WinZip app
Tap the corresponding icon featuring a folder stuck in a vise.
If this is your first time using the WinZip app on your device, you will need to run the initial tutorial and press the button Start.
Step 4. Select the default storage drive that the app will use
In most cases you will have to choose between SD card or Internal storage (or similar entry).
Step 5. Select the Downloads folder
It is listed within the letter "D" section of the list.
In order to locate the "Downloads" folder you may need to scroll down the list
Step 6. Select the ZIP file to unzip
Tap the check button to the right of the ZIP archive name.
Step 7. Tap the "Unzip" icon
It features a zip closure and is placed in the upper right corner of the screen. A new menu will appear.
Step 8. Select the destination folder
Choose a memory drive (for example Storage), then choose the folder where the data that will be extracted from the ZIP file will be stored.
Step 9. Press the UNIZP HERE button
It is blue in color and is visible in the lower right corner of the screen. The files in the ZIP archive will be extracted and stored in the folder you indicated.
When the extraction is complete, the folder where the files were stored will be opened automatically
Advice
- All versions of Windows and macOS integrate within them a program capable of automatically decompressing ZIP files.
- WinZip is a free app, but there is also a paid premium version that also offers support for Google Drive.
