Basically, a zip file contains several files in the compressed format. People prefer using zip files in order to segregate and group similar types of files and make them smaller so that they can then be easily shared through email or any source on the web. Not just this but sharing zip files is faster when compared to unzipped ones. Creating zipped files is ideal for archiving several files in order to save significant storage space in your system. Also, they are very useful when you want to secure the data using encryption. On a Windows system, WinZip helps you in archiving files by creating zip files so that you can then conveniently organize and store the data in your system while saving storage space. If you want to unzip files, you can use the following ways to do so.
Way 1. Use The Extract All Wizard
You can easily open a zipped file on your Windows system to view the contents by simple double clicking on the zipped file. However, in order to use these files, it is always better that you first extract the contents which are compressed in it. Instead of looking for ways to unzip online, you can use the most commonly used method to unzip a file by using the Extract All wizard. When you want to unzip a file on your Windows system, follow the steps detailed below carefully.
Step 1: Navigate to the location on your system where the zipped folder is stored.
Step 2: Right click on the zipped folder and from the options available in the drop down menu, select "Extract All" option.
Step 3: The pop-up box would show the location of the zipped folder. This is the default location where the contents of your zipped folder will be extracted to.
Step 4: If you want to change the location where you want to extract the files in this compressed folder, click on "Browse" and choose the location.
Step 5: Check the box which is in front of "Show extracted files when complete".
Step 6: Click on "Extract" once you choose the location.
All the files in the zipped folder will be extracted to the specified location.
Way 2 Using The File Explorer
Even though you can view the files in a zipped folder by double clicking on it, you still would not be able to make any edits or save the edited version in the same document. Also, if you are installing an app or a tool inside the compressed folder, even that would not start. Follow the steps below to know how to unzip files using File Explorer.
Step 1: Double click on the zipped folder which you wish to unzip.
Step 2: Select all the files which you wish to extract from this folder.
Step 3: Once you select the files, right click on it and then select the "Cut" option from the drop down menu.
Step 4: Go to the location on your system where you wish to extract the selected files.
Step 5: Right click on the blank space in the location and then select "Paste" option from the drop down menu.
Step 6: Instead of Step 3, you can even select the files which you wish to extract and choose the "Extract" option on the top menu.
Step 7: From here, click on the "More" option if the location where you wish to extract the files is not listed, and then click on "Choose location" to find the location where you want the files to be extracted.
This is another simple way to extract the files of a zipped folder with the help of File Explorer.
Additional Tips: How to Unlock Password Protected ZIP
The above mentioned methods can be used when you want to unzip a file which is not password protected. But, what if the zipped file is password protected and you either do not know the password or have forgotten it. In such cases the above methods would fail. PassFab for ZIP is the ultimate tool which can be used in such a scenario. With the help of this tool you can easily unzip a folder which is protected by a password. Follow the steps below to effectively unzip Windows folder protected by a password with the help of PassFab for ZIP tool.
Step 1: After installing the tool, launch it on your system. On the main interface, click on "Add" button.
Step 2: Choose the encrypted zipped folder which you need to unzip and click on "Open".
Step 3: If in case you do not remember anything about the password, select the "Brute Force Attack and click on "Start" and the program would try all the possible passwords by default.
If in case you can provide a few things about the password and can provide clues, select "Brute Force with Mask Attack" and click on "Start". Go to the "Settings" provide the clues and click on "OK".
If you have a text file as dictionary which saves the common combinations of passwords which you use, select "Dictionary Attack" and click on "Start". Go to "Settings" and select "Add Dictionary" and the possible password will be displayed.
Step 4: Once the password is displayed, you can click on "Copy" to copy the password and paste it in the required location.
This way using this tool you can easily find out the forgotten password for an encrypted zipped file.
In A Nutshell
Windows system comes in-built with all the necessary functionalities in order to unzip files free in a convenient way. The two methods described above are the easiest ways of unzipping a compressed folder. However, the problem arises when the compressed folder is password protected and you have forgotten the password. When you are in such a scenario, PassFab for ZIP comes for rescue. This tool is highly effective and comes with three different attack modes in order to find the forgotten password of the zipped folder stored in your system. You can make use of any of the attack modes based on your requirement to successfully find out the forgotten password. Due to its functionality and effectiveness, it is recommended by several users.