How to Open a ZIP File

ZIP files are basically compressed folders that contain files. ZIP files are often attached to email messages and used online to distribute media, such as software. Windows 7 contains a built-in tool for working with ZIP files.

Instructions

1. Right-click the ZIP file.

2. Click "Extract All."

3. Select a destination for the extracted files.

4. Click "Extract"

Tips & Warnings

• There are premium programs like WinZip to extract and compress mass ZIP files.

• If there are many files inside the Zipped folder, it may be a good idea to create a dedicated folder for these files.

• Do not open ZIP files that you do not recognize or that come from websites you don't trust. Viruses and malware can be contained in ZIP files. Run files from the Internet through a virus scanner before opening them.

References

• Windows: Compress and Uncompress Files (Zip Files)