How to Zip a File on Mac. Open a Finder window, then locate the file or folder you want to zip. Right-click on the said file or folder. Select 'Compress' in the drop-down menu you see. The file is then Zipped while the original is left just the way it was. How to Create Zip Files and Folder on Mac. Open a Finder window. CAM UnZip is a free compressor and file extractor that works with ZIP files. It supports drag and drop to quickly open a ZIP file and can create password-protected archives. There's an interesting feature in CAM UnZip where the program can be configured to automatically run a 'setup.exe' file if one is extracted from a ZIP archive.
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Sometimes when you want to download a file, you might notice that it comes in a .zip format. If you don’t know what it is and are having trouble opening it, you’ve come to the right place! This article is going to teach you how to unzip files using default applications in Windows and macOS as well as third-party programs.
- Two Ways to Unzip Files
What is a .zip File?
A .zip file is an archive containing one or more files that have been compressed to reduce its size. Zipping a file is useful to spare up to 80% or more storage space.
Additionally, zipping big files enables users to upload and send them faster over the internet, simultaneously decreasing the chance of it being corrupted. Users can also use .zip format to encrypt their data for extra security.
There is plenty of software that can be used to unzip files. However, your computer is generally already equipped with a built-in program that can perform the task just fine.
Two Ways to Unzip Files
There are two ways to extract zipped files: either by using your operating system’s built-in software or by using third-party tools.
Regardless of what tool you use, it is a good practice to delete the .zip file after you extract its content because keeping both consumes more space. Http www apple com mac compare.
1. Using an OS Built-In Tool
First, let’s take a look at how to extract files using native software found in Windows and macOS. Because you’re only using what your computer already has, there is no need to download another tool.
Windows
While it is possible to see the content of a zip file by double-clicking on it on Windows, you still need to extract the files to use it. The Windows default support for .zip goes by the name of Compressed (zipped) folders and here’s how to use it:
- Right-click the file that you want to decompress and choose Extract All.
- Choose the directory where you want to keep the extracted files and click Extract. It is optional to check the box underneath if you need to see the content immediately after the extraction is done.
- The files that were inside the .zip now can be found in the location you picked in step two.
macOS
Archive Utility is Mac’s built-in tool that handles the .zip format. To unzip a file, follow these steps:
- Double-click on the file you want to unzip.
- Once extracted, the file will appear in the same folder as its archive.
If you want to change the default folder location, access Internal Hard Drive -> System -> Library -> Core Services -> Archive Utility. Once there, select Preferences and set the location by clicking Save Expanded Files.
If you’re using Linux, read here for an in-depth guide on how to unzip your file.
2. Using a Third-Party Tool
While it is not necessary to download third-party tools to extract a .zip file, they do come with added features that allow you to customize, password-protect, and repair your zip files.
![Apple Unzip File Apple Unzip File](https://img.etsystatic.com/il/ccab3a/1022603855/il_570xN.1022603855_9nv4.jpg?version=0)
Below are our recommendations.
7-Zip
This file archiver is a free and open-source program with a 2-10% higher compression rate compared to WinZip and PKZip. It also has its own 7z extension that compresses data 30-70% better than the .zip format.
Among the many features are secure encryption and an easy-to-use file manager. Plus, it is also localized for 87 languages.
Although it is only available for Windows, it also has a port for Linux/Posix command line called p7zip.
Apple Mac Unzip Rar File
To unzip with this tool, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the file that you plan to extract. 7-Zip should be listed there after installation.
- Hover your mouse above the program name, and you will see a drop-down menu with multiple commands. Click Extract Files.
- In the next menu, choose the save location by clicking on the three dots, leave it be if you want it in the same folder as the original. Click OK.
- Alternatively, you can also choose Extract Here to immediately save your file in the archive’s location or Extract to [File Name] to make a folder out of the extracted data.
PeaZip
PeaZip is a Windows and Linux-supported free unzipping program that is compatible with over 180+ extensions. Among its best features are a powerful file manager and reliable security protection with two-step verification. Additionally, it also has a portable version that you can use without installing it.
Using PeaZip on Windows is pretty straightforward and works the same as with the previous tool. The only differences are the name of the commands:
- Extract – use to unpack your data to another location.
- Extract here – saves the content inside the same location as the archive.
- Extract here (smart) – used to create a standalone folder for the files.
Zipware
Just like 7-Zip, Zipware is also a Windows-only extractor. However, it has a few features that stand out, such as a streamlined file manager, a password manager, conversion of all compatible formats to .zip, .exe, or .7z and a virus scan.
Again, decompressing using this tool follows the same method as the previous ones with slightly different options:
- Extract to this folder – for immediate extraction to the location of the zip.
- Extract to this folder + Filenames – for a similar effect but with a folder made out of the file.
- Extract to other… – opens a drop-down menu to choose another location.
Conclusion
A zip file is an archiving method that is useful to save storage since it compresses file sizes.
You can unzip files either using default Windows and macOS settings or by utilizing third-party software such as Zipware, PeaZip and 7-Zip.
Unzip Files Apple
The process itself takes only a few clicks, so you can have the task done in no time.
Have you ever had a file on your computer that was so ridiculously large it was all but impossible for you to send it to a friend as an email attachment? Or, even better, have you ever wanted to email someone a BUNCH of different files at the same time but didn't want to go through the tedious process of having to attach the files to the email one at a time? That's where the ZIP file format comes in.
The ZIP file format allows you to both compress and archive your files. What does that mean in English? Well, 'file compression' is just a way of saying 'smushing a file so that it takes up less space on your hard drive' and 'file archiving' is just a way of saying 'making a copy of the original file so that you can put a copy somewhere else.' The file compression part of the ZIP file format is what makes it so popular with web developers. For example, in the PowerPoint Files section of my website I've placed about two dozen PowerPoint files you are free to download. Each of those files are 'zipped' so that they take up less hard drive space and therefore will take less time for you to download.
Apple Unzip File Folder
How do you open [or 'unzip'] a ZIP file? If you have Windows ME or XP, or Apple OS X, just double-click on the zip file or folder, which will look something like this:
Notice the zipper? That's Windows XP's way of telling you that the file or folder has been zipped. Once you double-click on that file or folder, it should open just as if it were a regular file or folder on your computer.
What if you don't have Windows ME or XP or Apple OS-X? Well you need to download and install a special piece of software that will zip and unzip files. This may sound like more trouble than it is worth, but a zip/unzip program is an ESSENTIAL tool, especially if you are going to be using the Internet a lot. In fact, call someone you know who is a computer guru, someone whose advice you trust implicitly, and ask her if she could live without her zip program. She'll laugh. Zip programs are THAT important.
Where can you get a zip program? Well, for PC users, I recommend WinZip. You can download a free evaluation version of WinZip at http://www.winzip.com/ddchomea.htm. It has been a while since I have unzipped a file on a Mac, but I seem to remember that Aladdin's free StuffIt Expander worked pretty well. You can download StuffIt expander for Mac, PC, and even Linux at http://www.stuffit.com/
Apple Unzip Files
Download either program and then install it. After that, whenever you encounter a zipped file (a file that ends in '.zip'), just double-click on that file. Microsoft office 2010 free download for macbook. Your unzip program will automatically open, and you can then choose where you want the unzipped version of that file to be saved on your computer.
Apple Unzip File Download
That's it.
By the way, one of the reason why I prefer WinZip over StuffIt Expander for the PC is that WinZip adds unzip capabilities to Windows Explorer's context menus. To see what that means, install WinZip, right-click on any zipped file on your computer, and then choose 'extract' from the pop-up window. No more double-clicking. Happy uncompressing!
Apple Support Unzip File
Copyright © 2014 Patrick Crispen. Contents licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 license. All other rights reserved.