Zip files are simply files and folders that have been compressed, squeezed down to make them smaller and bundled together into one neat package.
Windows 11 and Windows 10 can zip and unzip files on their own. You don’t need WinZip, WinRAR or any other software.
You’re bound to bump into zip files sooner or later, because so many things you download from the internet arrive zipped. In this guide I’ll show you how to zip files and folders, how to unzip them, and what to do when it doesn’t go to plan.
The Short Version
To zip: right-click the file or folder. In Windows 11 click Compress to, then ZIP File. In Windows 10 click Send to, then Compressed (zipped) folder.
To unzip: right-click the zip file, click Extract All, then click Extract.
What Is a Zip File?
A zip file (also called a zipped or compressed folder) is a single file that holds one or more files and folders inside it, packed down to take up less space.
It looks like an ordinary folder with a zipper on its icon, and its name ends in .zip if you have file extensions turned on.
Zipping is handy when you want to:
- Save space, because many types of file get a lot smaller.
- Send lots of files in one go. You can’t attach a whole folder to an email directly, but you can attach one zip file with everything inside it.
- Keep things together. A zip is one tidy package, so nothing gets left behind when you copy or upload it.
The difference between zipped and unzipped files is simply that an unzipped file is the normal, ready-to-use version. Unzipping (also called extracting) gets the files back out of the package so you can use them as normal.
How to Zip Files and Folders in Windows
Zipping is quick and easy, but it’s slightly different in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Zip a File or Folder in Windows 11
- Open File Explorer and find the file or folder you want to zip.
- Right-click it.
- Click Compress to, then click ZIP File.
- Windows creates the zip file in the same place and highlights its name. Type a new name if you want to, then press Enter.
On older versions of Windows 11 the menu just says Compress to ZIP file, all in one line. It does exactly the same job.
Can’t See Compress To?
If Compress to isn’t on the menu, click Show more options at the bottom of the menu, then use Send to as in Windows 10 below. If you’d rather always see the full menu, you can bring back the old right-click menu.
Zip a File or Folder in Windows 10
- Right-click the file or folder you want to zip.
- Point to Send to.
- Click Compressed (zipped) folder.
You can also click the Share tab at the top of File Explorer and click Zip.
Zip Several Files into One Zip File
To put lots of files into one zip, select all the files first, then right-click any one of them and zip it as above. Everything you selected goes into the same zip file.
Windows names the zip after the file you right-clicked, so you’ll probably want to rename it to something more useful, such as Holiday Photos.
What Happens After You Zip a File
Windows copies your file or folder into the new zip file. The original stays exactly where it was, untouched.
The zip file has the same name as the original. The only visible difference is the zipper on its icon.
How Long Does It Take to Zip a File?
Small files zip in a second or two. Big folders, measured in hundreds of megabytes or more, can take a few minutes, depending on what’s inside and the speed of your computer. Windows shows a progress box while it works.
7z and TAR Files in Windows 11
Up-to-date Windows 11 can also make 7z and TAR files, which are other types of compressed file. You’ll see 7z File and TAR File on the same Compress to menu, and Additional options lets you choose how hard Windows squeezes the files.
My advice is to stick with ZIP unless someone asks you for something else. Every computer can open a zip file without any extra software.
How to Unzip Files in Windows
Unzipping (extracting) a zip file works the same way in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
- Right-click the zip file.
- Click Extract All.
- Click Extract on the box that opens (more on that below).
In Windows 11 you can also click the zip file once and then click Extract all on the toolbar at the top of File Explorer.
Choose Where to Extract the Files
After you click Extract All, you’ll see the Extract Compressed (Zipped) Folders box.
- To unzip the files into the same place as the zip file, just click Extract. This is generally what you’ll want.
- To unzip them somewhere else, click Browse, pick a folder, then click Extract.
Leave Show extracted files when complete ticked, and Windows opens the new folder for you when it has finished.
Can You Open a Zip File Without Extracting It?
Yes. Double-click a zip file and it opens like a normal folder, so you can see what’s inside and even open the files to look at them.
But for anything more than a quick look, extract it first. Changes you make to a file inside a zip aren’t saved properly, and programs and installers often won’t run from inside a zip.
How to Open RAR and 7z Files
Not every compressed file is a zip. You’ll sometimes download .rar or .7z files, which work the same way but use a different format.
Windows 11 can open these on its own now, along with TAR and GZ files. Double-click to look inside, or select the file and click Extract all, just like a zip.
Windows 10 can’t open RAR or 7z files by itself. For those you need a program such as the free program 7-Zip, which is safe and costs nothing.
If Zipping or Unzipping Doesn’t Work
Extract All Is Missing from the Menu
First check that it really is a zip file. In Windows 10, RAR and 7z files don’t get an Extract All option at all.
If it is a zip, another program (often WinRAR or 7-Zip) has probably taken over zip files. Right-click the zip, click Open with, then choose Windows Explorer (in Windows 11 you may need to click Choose another app first). Tick Always or Always use this app and Extract All comes back.
My Zip File Is Hardly Any Smaller
That’s normal for photos, videos and music. JPG pictures, MP4 videos and MP3 tracks are already compressed, so zipping can’t squeeze them much further. Documents and spreadsheets usually shrink a lot more.
Windows Asks for a Password
Whoever made the zip file protected it with a password, so you’ll need to ask them for it. If Windows won’t accept the right password, the zip uses a type of protection Windows can’t open, and 7-Zip will.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between zipped and unzipped files?
A: A zipped file is packed into a compressed zip file, so it takes up less space and is easy to send. An unzipped (extracted) file is the normal version, ready to open and use.
Q: Do I need WinZip or WinRAR to open zip files?
A: No. Windows 11 and Windows 10 can zip and unzip files on their own. Windows 11 can open RAR and 7z files too. Windows 10 needs a free program such as 7-Zip for those.
Q: Can I put a password on a zip file in Windows?
A: Not with the tools built into Windows. The free program 7-Zip can add a password and strong encryption, and my 7-Zip guide (linked at the end of this page) shows you how.
Q: Is it safe to open zip files?
A: Zip files themselves are fine, but they can hide nasty files, so only open zip files from people and websites you trust. Be especially wary of unexpected zip files attached to phishing emails.
Q: Why does my zipped folder have the same name as the original?
A: Windows names the zip file after the file or folder you zipped. The only visible difference is the zipper on the icon. Right-click it and choose Rename if you want to change it.
Summary
You’re sure to run into zip files from time to time, and Windows handles them without any extra software:
- To zip in Windows 11: right-click, Compress to, ZIP File.
- To zip in Windows 10: right-click, Send to, Compressed (zipped) folder.
- To unzip: right-click, Extract All, Extract.
If you want to add password protection and encryption to your zip files, you’ll need a free program such as 7-Zip.
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