There are certain files on your computer that are too large in size. To reduce the size of a file/folder on your Windows computer, you can compress it by creating a ZIP file. When you have to use that file, you will have to UNZIP it to decompress it.
Now you can compress files in Windows 11 to save space and use them without decompression as well. In this article, we will read about how you can UNZIP a Zipped file you have received on your Windows 11 device. There are 4 simple methods to do so:
1. Using File Explorer
In Windows 11, you can unzip files using the native File Explorer. It is the simplest and most common way on unzipping files. In this method, one doesn’t need to download any 3rd party file compression tool like WinRAR. Steps to follow are-
- Click on the ZIP file and choose “Extract all”. You will also find Extract all at the top menu.
- As soon as you implement the previous step, you will see a mini-window appears wherein one can choose the destination folder. You can keep it as it is and click on Extract. This will unzip the file to the same destination where the zipped folder is located.
- The Unzipped material will be available in a standard folder right where you have chosen it to be.
- Alternatively, if you want to unzip some specific files, then open the zipped file by double clicking on it and select the files you need, and copy them like normal files.
- Now, go back and create a new folder in the same destination and paste the files.
To create a ZIP file in Windows 11 using File Explorer, select a file/folder and right-click on it. One can also select a bunch of different files. Now choose “compress yo ZIP file.” This file will be created in the same folder and you can name this ZIP file whatever you want.
2. Using PowerShell
PowerShell can be used to unpack a ZIP and extract content from them with a command. Here are the steps-
- Press the Windows Key once and type “powershell”. Click on “Run as administrator” in the right panel.
- Right-click on the ZIP file and choose “Copy as path.” This will copy the complete address of the ZIP file to the clipboard.
- To unzip files in Windows 11 using “PowerShell”, run the command-
Expand-Archive-Path “path of ZIP file”- DestinationPath “C:\New Folder”
- Here, replace the path of the Zip File with the actual path you copied above. This will unzip the contents of the Zip file in the “C” driver under “New Folder”. You can choose any destination you want to.
- Open “C” drive and move to “New Folder”. You will find all the extracted content here.
3. Using 7-Zip
7-Zip is a third-party program that can be used to unzip files in Windows 11 against other popular solutions like WinRAR and WinZip. The program is free, open source, has no pop-ups, and gives a good compression algorithm. Steps are given below-
- Download 7-zip and install it on your Windows 11 PC.
- Right-click on the ZIP file and open “Show more options.”
- Select “7-ZIP” and open “Extract files.”
- Choose the destination by clicking on the 3-dot menu and clicking on “OK”. All the contents within the ZIP file will be extracted into a chosen folder.
- If you want to extract specific content from a ZIP file, right-click on it and choose to Show more options. Now open 7-zip Open archive.
- Select the files you want to extract and click on “Extract” at the top.
- Choose the destination folder and click on OK.
- The files will be unzipped in a folder and your job will be done.
4. Using Command Prompt (CMD)
- Command Prompt has a powerful TAR command-line tool that allows unzipping files in Windows 11. Here are the steps-
- Go to the folder where the ZIP file is located. Click on the address bar and type CMD and hit enter. A CMD window will open.
- Run the command given
tar -xf filename.zip
- Rename
filenamewith the actual name of the file. Now, hit Enter and the ZIP file will be extracted in the same folder. - CMD has successfully unzipped the ZIP file in the same location.
These are the 4 ways to unzip files in Windows 11.
