How do I open a compressed file in Windows?

By YL ComputingWindows PC

1. Open File Explorer and locate the compressed file you wish to open.

2. Right-click on the file and select ‘Extract All’ from the context menu.
3. In the Extract Compressed (Zipped) Folders dialog box, select the location for extraction.
4. Click ‘Extract’.

You can also open compressed files using a third-party file archiver/unzipper tool such as WinRAR, WinZip, 7-zip, etc.

Using WinRAR:

1. Install WinRAR software on your PC.
2. Open File Explorer and locate the compressed file you want to open.
3. Right-click the compressed file and select ‘Open With…’.
4. Select ‘WinRAR’ from the list of installed programs.
5. The WinRAR window will open with the archive’s contents. You can view the individual files and folders in the archive.
6. To extract files from the archive, click ‘Extract To’ at the top of the WinRAR window.
7. In the ‘Extract Files’ dialogue box that appears, choose the destination folder for the extracted files.
8. Click “OK” to extract the files.

Using 7-zip:

1. Download and install 7-zip on your PC.
2. Open File Explorer and locate the compressed file you wish to open.
3. Right-click the file and select ‘7-zip’ from the context menu.
4. A 7-zip window will open with the archive’s contents. All the individual files and folders that are contained in the archive will be listed.
5. To extract files, click the ‘Extract’ button at the top of the 7-zip window.
6. In the ‘Extract’ dialogue box that appears, choose the destination folder for the extracted files. Click “OK” to extract the files.

Using WinZip:

1. Download and install WinZip software on your PC.
2. Open File Explorer and locate the compressed file you wish to open.
3. Double-click the file or right-click it and select ‘Open With > WinZip’ from the context menu.
4. The WinZip window will open with the archive’s contents. All the files and folders contained within the archive will be listed.
5. To extract files, click the ‘Extract’ button at the top of WinZip window.
6. In the ‘Extract File’ dialogue box that appears, choose the destination folder for the extracted files.
7. Click “OK” to extract the files.

There are many other tools available that can be used to open compressed files. The process for extracting the files is generally similar for all tools, so once you’ve decided which one to use, the instructions above should provide enough guidance for successful extraction.