In order to open a ZIP archive in Windows, you will need to use a dedicated zip file decompression and extraction utility. A decompression and extraction utility is a type of software that is specifically designed to unzip (decompress) and extract files from an archive such as a .zip file.
The most commonly used decompression and extraction utility for Windows is WinZip. WinZip is an archiving application that can open and manage most popular compression formats, such as .zip, .rar, .7z, and .tar. With its easy-to-use graphical interface and drag-and-drop features, WinZip makes it easy to quickly create, open, and modify archives from the comfort of your desktop.
Microsoft also offers its own built-in ZIP file decompression and extraction utility for Windows called Windows Compressed Folders. This utility is already included in most versions of Windows and can be accessed directly within the File Explorer. To create or unzip a ZIP archive, right-click on the ZIP file and select the “Extract All” folder command. This will open the Windows Compressed Folder Wizard, which will guide you through the steps necessary to complete the extraction process.
For users who require more advanced functionality, there are numerous third-party decompression and extraction utilities available for Windows. Some of the best programs include 7-Zip, WinRAR, and PeaZip. All three programs offer a wide array of features and functions not found in the built-in Windows Compressed Folder utility, such as improved compression and extraction speed, support for even more archive formats, and password protection for your compressed files.
No matter which software you choose, decompressing and extracting files from a ZIP archive in Windows is relatively straightforward and should take just a few minutes. Once the files have been extracted, you can access them directly from the original ZIP archive folder or move them around your computer as needed.