How to Unzip a File in XP and Vista

Many files you can download on the Internet are zip files, and because they are so common, it's important for computer users to know how to unzip a file. A zip file is essentially a compressed folder which contains a number of different files. Compressing these files into a zip folder reduces the overall combined file size. Smaller file sizes are what make zip files common on the Internet. Zip files save on bandwidth and disk space.

Instructions

1. Open Windows Explorer by clicking "Computer" or "My Computer" in the Start menu. Navigate to the folder containing the zip file.

2. Right-click the file and select the "Extract All" option. This opens a wizard to decompress the zip file.

3. Select the file destination or click "Extract" to use the default location, which is the current folder. In Windows XP, click "Next," then "Extract."

Tips & Warnings

• You can also double-click a zip file to enter it just like a folder. Files in the zip may be clicked and dragged out of the folder to unzip them one by one.

References

• Microsoft Help: Compress and Uncompress Files