Zip and unzip files

You can zip (compress) a file so that it takes up less space. This makes it easier to email or move the file. You can also zip multiple files into a single compressed folder. This makes it easier to share a group of files. To open a file that has been zipped, you need to unzip (extract) it first.

Show all

To zip (compress) a file or folder

  1. Tap or click to open File Explorer.

  2. Select the file or folder, tap or click the Share tab, and then tap or click Zip.

    A new compressed folder gets created in the same location with the same name as the file. You can rename the compressed folder like you can any other folder. Just select the folder, tap or click the Home tab, and then tap or click Rename.

Notes

Notes

  • Warning: If you add encrypted files to a compressed folder, they won't be encrypted after they’re extracted.

  • If you've already created a compressed folder and want to add new files or folders to it, you can drag them to the compressed folder.

  • Some types of files, like JPEG images, are already highly compressed, so there's no need to compress them further.

  • If you’d like to have password protection or adjustable compression features for compressed folders, you can search online for file compression apps. Just be careful when you install file compression apps from the Internet because they might change your settings so that files don't open in the apps you want them to.

  • To compress files or folders from the Command Prompt window, you can use the compact command. For info about using this command, type compact /help at a command prompt.

To unzip (extract) files or folders from a compressed folder

  1. Tap or click to open File Explorer.

  2. To extract individual files or folders, open the compressed folder and then drag the files or folders you want to extract to a new location.

    -or-

    To extract everything in the compressed folder, tap or click the Compressed Folder Tools tab, and then tap or click Extract all.

Note

Note

If you’re trying to extract everything in a compressed folder and don’t see the Extract all command, select the compressed folder, tap or click the Home tab, and tap or click Properties. On the General tab, next to Opens with, make sure it says File Explorer. If it doesn't, tap or click Change and select File Explorer. If you still don’t see the Extract all command, the .zip file association in the registry might be damaged. Search the Windows support forum for info about applying a registry fix.

Extracting all files from a compressed folderExtracting all files from a compressed folder
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