How to Open Downloaded Zip Files
ZIP is a file format used to archive and compress data. ZIPs speed up the sending and receiving of multiple files by allowing users to send such files within a single ZIP archive and compress the overall size of the files. To open ZIP files you must have a compatible application installed on your machine. Modern operating systems provide these applications by default, but older editions may not. If you cannot open a ZIP file by double-clicking its icon, download and install archiving software capable of performing the task.
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Instructions
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Open a Web browser window and navigate to the website for 7-Zip, jZip or Freebyte ZIP. (See Resources.) All three programs can open ZIP files and are available at no charge.
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Click the "Download" link and save the program's installer file to your computer when prompted.
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Double-click the icon of the installer file you downloaded in the previous step to begin the setup process.
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Follow the on-screen prompts to install the selected archiving application on your computer.
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Open the newly installed archiving application after the installation process completes.
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Click the "Open Archive" button in the top menu bar if you use jZip or Freebyte ZIP. If you use 7-Zip, use the main screen of the program to navigate to the folder containing the ZIP file you want to open.
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Double-click the ZIP archive's icon to open the file in your selected archiving application.
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References
Resources
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