How to Unzip Files on Windows 10 and 11

Compressing files is one of the common ways to transfer large files from one computer to another. However, how do you compress and extract files on Windows 10 and 11? The first time you receive a ZIP file, you might be unsure how to unzip it. Given the number of queries we've received on this topic, we're explaining what a ZIP file is and providing two different methods with detailed steps on how to unzip files on Windows 10 and 11.

Let's get started, then.

## What is a Zip File on Windows? On the Windows operating system, a Zip file is a common compressed file format. It enables users to package multiple files and folders into a single, smaller file for easier storage, transfer, or sharing. Zip files save disk space by reducing the size of the files and can be extracted all at once to access their contents. The Zip file format was created by Phil Katz in 1989 and has since become a standard supported by many compression utilities and email clients. In Windows, you can view, extract, and create Zip files using the built-in "File Explorer" without needing additional software. To open or extract a Zip file, right-click on it and select "Extract All," then choose a destination folder to unzip the contents. To compress files into a Zip format, select the files or folders, right-click, and choose "Send to" > "Compressed (zipped) Folder." Zip files are frequently used for regular file sharing and as download content on the internet because they upload and download quickly while reducing bandwidth requirements. However, it's important to exercise caution when downloading Zip files from untrusted sources, as they may contain viruses or malware. Make sure to scan them with antivirus software before opening.

A Zip file is a file that contains multiple other files, just like putting all the items you need into a bag and zipping it up. This bundles all necessary files together in one place, reducing the risk of losing individual files during transfer. It also helps compress large files, decrease their overall size, and combine them into a single Zip file. For example, you can learn how to compress a PDF file here.

While earlier versions of Windows required third-party tools to compress files, Microsoft introduced a compression utility in Windows 10, so you no longer need to use a third-party tool. Now, you can receive a compressed file and extract it immediately without having to install any additional programs.

You can do this directly without installing any extra tools.

How do I extract files on Windows 10 and 11?

When you receive a compressed file, you need to extract it before you can use its contents. On Windows, there are two main ways to decompress a file:

Method 1: Extracting All Files with "Extract All"

Option 2: Extract with Drag and Drop

Method 1: Extract All to Decompress the File

The "Extract All" feature is a built-in function in Windows designed to decompress ZIP files. In earlier versions, this functionality was absent, forcing users to rely on third-party tools like Winzip and 7-Zip. However, with the introduction of the "Extract All" feature in Windows 10 and 11, the need for external utilities to unzip ZIP files has been largely alleviated.

To decompress a file using the "Extract All" method, follow these steps:

Step 1: Find the file that you have received and want to unzip.

Step 2: Right-click the file, and you should see a drop-down menu.

Click Extract All.

Step 3: Click on "Extract All," which will open the Zip Wizard.

By default, it will create a folder with the same name as the ZIP file in the same location and extract everything into it. If you want to choose a different location, click “Browse” and select the desired folder.

5. Click the “Extract” button at the bottom of the wizard. It will begin decompressing and extracting all of the files to your destination folder.

Aside from this method, Windows 10 and 11 have another way to extract files.

Method 2: Unzip the File by Dragging and Dropping

Aside from the "Extract All" method, you can also use the drag-and-drop technique to unzip files. Whether or not you knew about this method before, it can come in handy.

With this method, you'll need to drag the file into the destination folder.

Use the drag-and-drop method to unzip files by following these steps.

Step 1. Navigate to the file you want to unzip.

2. Double-click the zip file to open it. This will display the contents of the file in a new window. Resize the window so that you can see your desktop.

Step 3: Create a new folder on the desktop and name it anything you like.

Next up, just translate this into American English:

Step 4: Now, select all the files you want in the unzipped window, and drag them into the folder. Release the mouse button, and the files will be copied into the folder. Once you've dropped all the files you want, you can delete the compressed file.

This will successfully extract all of the files within the folder. This method is especially useful if you only want to extract certain files from a compressed folder, and not everything inside it.