How to unzip (extract) files from a zipped (compressed) folder

Overview

Zipped (compressed) files take up less storage space and can be transferred to other computers more quickly than uncompressed files. In Windows, you work with zipped files and folders in the same way that you work with uncompressed files and folders. Combine several files into a single zipped folder to more easily share a group of files.

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

  1. Locate the zipped folder that you want to unzip (extract) files or folders from.

  2. Do one of the following:

    • To unzip a single file or folder, open the zipped folder, then drag the file or folder from the zipped folder to a new location.

    • To unzip all the contents of the zipped folder, press and hold (or right-click) the folder, select Extract All..., and then follow the instructions.