How to Unzip a Compressed File

Level of difficulty: Intermediate

It is important to determine archive type of a file before unzipping or extracting it. Some of the most common extensions of compressed files are .zip, .rar, .tar, .arj, .arc and .tgz. There are various applications that you can utilize in order to unzip a compressed file. These include WinZip, WinRAR, ZipItFree, Pkzip and more.

Materials Needed:
- WinZip
- ZIP file
- Mouse
- Windows Operating System
Step 1
To unzip a compressed file with the ZIP extension, it is advisable to make use of the WinZip application or ZipItFree! You need to download and install these applications if you don’t have them. Any of the two will do but in this case, we will be using the WinZip application. MS-DOS users are recommended to utilize the pkunzip and the pkzip utilities in unzipping and zipping their files.
Step 2
If your compressed file with the ZIP extension was sent to you through an electronic mail, you need to store or save it first on your computer’s hard drive.
Step 3
Once you have installed the WinZip application on your computer, double-click on the compressed file that you would like to unzip. You would then be prompted by a screen asking if you’d like to unzip or open the compressed file or save it to your machine.
Step 4
Click 'Open' to unzip the compressed file.
Step 5
Once the 'Welcome to the WinZip Wizard!' screen appeared, click the 'Next' button.
Step 6
You will then be asked by the WinZip Wizard what you wish to do next. Select either the 'Unzip' option or the 'Install from an existing ZIP file' option and then click the 'Next' button.
Step 7
Choose the name of the compressed file with the ZIP extension that you would like to unzip or extract by double clicking on it. Make sure you have highlighted it before clicking on it.
Step 8
Click the 'Next' button to unzip your selected compressed file. Take note of the directory or folder where your extracted files will be opened and stored because extracting the compressed file to an incorrect location like the desktop can sometimes wreak havoc.
Step 9
Make sure to check the 'Display file icons after unzipping' option in order for your files to pop up once the extracting/unzipping process has been completed.
Step 10
Click the 'Unzip Now' button and then click the 'Finish' button to complete.
Step 11
After the compressed file has been unzipped, you can then view all the files inside it. Double-click on the files to launch or open them.


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