We all have been in a situation where we need to mail an entire folder with large file size. Indeed, this creates a problem, and the only way to address it is by zipping the files before sending them.Now, what if someone sends us a zipped folder? The first thing would be to download it. But, to access all these files, we must unzip them.Here, we will discuss how to unzip downloaded files on our devices using various methods.
What Is Zipping and Unzipping?
Zipping means archiving multiple files into a single folder. The total size is reduced when we compress files, which further helps us transfer our documents quickly.On the other hand, unzipping means extracting the files from a zipped folder. Whenever we download a compressed document, it’s necessary to unzip it. Else, we can’t view the content inside the zip file.Well, we can compress our files and store them somewhere if we’re running low on disk space. But, we have to unzip the folder if we wish to view our documents again.
How Can I Unzip a Downloaded File on Windows 11?
Earlier, Windows required third-party services for zipping and unzipping. However, these problems have already been fixed now.Microsoft released Windows 11 in October 2021. Since then, we have wondered if there’s something new added to zipping/unzipping.Sadly, there are no big changes yet. So, we can unzip a downloaded file on Windows 11 the same way we used on Windows 10.
Unzip All the Files
Unzip a Particular File
Alternatively, you can drag and drop a specific file from the compressed folder to your desired location.
How to Unzip Downloaded File on Mac?
Unzipping downloaded files on a Mac is a lot easier than on Windows. Whenever someone sends you a zip folder, here’s what you should do to access the files in it:
How to Unzip Downloaded File on Linux?
We can unzip a downloaded file on Linux in both GUI and terminal. We will be exploring both methods here.On Linux GUIOn Linux Terminal
How Do You Unzip Downloaded Files on Android?
Unzipping a downloaded file on Android isn’t complex at all. We do not even need a third-party tool as the software provides us with an in-built feature.Nonetheless, few tools on Google Play Store are available that provide additional features. Here, we will be focusing on the simplest method of unzipping a downloaded file on Android.
How Can I Unzip My Downloaded File on iPhone?
Like Android, iPhone provides an in-built feature to unzip your compressed files. So, it’s quite easy to uncompress your desired items.Below is the step-by-step guide on how to unzip a downloaded file on iPhone:Alternatively, you can simply click on the zip file. This will automatically create a folder storing the uncompressed files in it.
How Can I Unzip Downloaded Files Using Third-party Tools?
Although a built-in OS function is available for unzipping downloaded files, some still prefer using third-party tools. These special applications provide additional functionalities.Some tools are free to use, while some only provide free trials. To take additional advantage, we need to purchase their premium services.For the demonstration purpose, I am using WinRAR. Follow these steps to unzip your downloaded file using WinRAR:
