How to zip and unzip files on a Windows 10 computer using built-in tools

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laptopDan Kitwood/Getty Images

  • Zipping is a popular method for compressing files, and you can zip and unzip files on Windows 10 in several ways without installing any additional software. 
  • You can zip files by using Windows’ right-click menu to "send" them to a zipped folder. 
  • You can unzip quickly by double-clicking the zip file and dragging the individual files out to the desktop.
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Zipping is one of the oldest, most commonly used methods for compressing files. It’s used to save space and transmit them more quickly. 

In fact, it’s so common that zip compression and decompression is built into Windows. Here is how to zip files, plus two methods for unzipping them. 

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How to zip files in Windows 10

1. Put all the files you want to zip in the same location, such as the same folder. 

2. Select all the files. An easy way to do this is to drag a selection box around them with the mouse pointer. 

3. Right-click one of the selected files.

4. In the drop-down menu, choose "Send to" and then click "Compressed (zipped) folder." 

unzip 1Dave Johnson/Business Insider

5. A new zip file will appear in the same folder. You can identify a zip file visually because the icon has a zipper on it.

How to unzip files in Windows 10 with drag-and-drop 

1. Double-click the zip file you want to unzip. You can identify a zip file visually because the icon has a zipper on it. 

unzip 2Dave Johnson/Business Insider

2. The zip file will open a folder, showing you the individual files inside. 

3. Select all the files, or just the ones you want to use, and drag them out of the folder to another location on your computer. You can drag them into a folder or place them on the desktop. 

unzip 3Dave Johnson/Business Insider

The files have now been unzipped and can be used normally. You can now delete the zip file, if there’s nothing left in there that you want.

How to unzip files in Windows 10 with the zip wizard

1. Right-click the zip file. In the drop-down menu, click "Extract All…" The zip wizard will appear. 

unzip 4Dave Johnson/Business Insider

2. If you want to unzip the files to a different folder, click "Browse…" and choose a location. 

3. Click "Extract" and the files will be unzipped and copied to the folder indicated. 

unzip 5Dave Johnson/Business Insider

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Source: Business Insider – feedback@businessinsider.com (Dave Johnson)

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