When moving files across the internet – be it file transfer platforms, cloud storage, or email — it’s hard to beat a ZIP file. The ZIP format compresses the contents of a folder without reducing the quality of the files in it. You can then just as easily extract them from the folder. Some ZIP programs also let you encrypt ZIP files with a password, so you have some security when moving sensitive or private files. Here’s how to create a ZIP file on different platforms and how to open a ZIP file when you receive one.
Read more: The best ZIP apps for Android
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How you create a ZIP file and how you open a ZIP file depends on the platform you are using. Most have a built-in compression and decompression tool in their right-click file manager menu. If not, you can install a third-party utility such as WinZip, the gold standard for ZIP files.
SKIP TO IMPORTANT SECTIONS
How to Create a ZIP File on Windows 11
To create a ZIP file on Windows 11, right click on the file you want to compress and click Compress to zip file†
The file is copied and placed in a yellow folder with a large zipper over it and given the same name as the original file. However, you can double-click the ZIP file name and rename it if you want. You can now delete the original copy of the file if you no longer need it.
How to open a ZIP file on Windows
To open the ZIP file, you have two options. Easiest is to right click on it and select Unpack everything† The files will then appear in the same Windows folder as the ZIP file.
The alternative is to double click on the ZIP file and it will open to reveal the files inside. Mark all files and then drag them out of the window and into another folder.
How to Create a ZIP File on Mac
It is a similar process to create a ZIP file on a Mac computer. Right click on the file (or folder) and select Compress†
The new ZIP folder will now appear next to the original folder. You can now delete the original folder if you wish.
How to Open a ZIP File on Mac
Like Windows, there are two options to open the ZIP file. The first is to right click on it and select your unzipping tool. Here are two – Archive utility and The Unarchiver† However, you can only have one. Click on it to start the decompression process and your files will appear in a regular folder in the same window.
The second option is to just double click on the ZIP file and the files will be extracted into a regular blue folder in the same window.
Create a ZIP file on a Chromebook
We won’t go into too much detail about Chromebooks here, because our colleague Palash has already written a tutorial on zip and extract files on a Chromebook† So here’s the short version if you don’t feel like clicking through to his more in-depth article.
Highlight the files you want to zip and select Zip selection† The ZIP file will then appear in the same window.
Open a ZIP file on a Chromebook
As Palash says in his article, to open a ZIP file on a Chromebook, double-click it to open it. Then mark the files and drag them to another folder.
How to Create a ZIP File on an iPhone
iOS has a seamless built-in compression tool. To find it, move the files you want to zip into the Files app.
Hold your finger on the file and choose from the menu that appears Compress†
The file or files will now be compressed and the ZIP file will appear in the same window. You can then move, email, or share it as you wish.
How to open a ZIP file on an iPhone
If you open a ZIP file on iOS, all you need to do is hold your finger on it again. In the pop-up menu, the Compress option is now replaced by decompress† Select that and the files will be extracted.
Create a ZIP file on Android
The best way to create a ZIP file on Android is to install a third-party app. The gold standard in this area is: WinZip, although the free version is laced with ads. If you will be using the app a lot, consider paying to have the ads removed.
First, go to the area where your files are that you want to zip. As you can see, it also supports cloud storage accounts.
Select the files you want to compress, then tap the small compressed folder icon at the top of the screen.
It will now ask you to navigate to a location where you want to save the ZIP file. When you’re there, tap ZIP HERE at the bottom of the screen.
Now wait while the files are compressed and placed in the ZIP folder.
You will now see the completed folder, which you can now move, email or share in another way.
How to open a ZIP file on Android
To open a ZIP file on Android using WinZip, hold your finger on the ZIP file or tap the three dots to the right of the file. This opens several options for extracting. Choose a.
Read more: Email a folder in Gmail
Frequently Asked Questions
To password protect a ZIP file, a third-party utility such as WinZip, WinRAR or 7Zip is required. You can also do it through the macOS Terminal.
A ZIP file in itself is not dangerous at all. However, some people use ZIP files to package malware and send it to unsuspecting people. Like any file you receive online, you should be very wary of opening it if you don’t know the sender.
Some file formats do not compress very well. Images are best compressed while video files are barely compressed.
You need a third-party tool for this. Many online tools claim to be able to do it, but the best seems to be WinRAR† It has a repair function in the toolbar. However, keep in mind that nothing is guaranteed.