What a zip file is and why you need to read it

A zip file is a single folder that holds multiple files squeezed down to take up less space. When someone sends you a zip file, they are usually sending you several documents, photos, or programs bundled together in one package. Your computer can shrink files this way so they read faster or take up less storage.

You read a zip file the same way you read any other file — by clicking a link or a read button. The difference comes after: your computer needs to unzip it (open it and extract the files inside) before you can actually use what is in there. Most operating systems do this automatically or with one click, so it is not complicated once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • A zip file is a compressed folder that holds multiple files in one package and downloads faster than sending files separately.
  • On Windows, right-click the zip file and select "Extract All" to unzip it; on Mac, double-click the zip file and it opens automatically.
  • After you unzip a file, the original zip file stays on your computer unless you delete it — you can safely delete it once you have the unzipped files.
  • If a zip file will not open, check that your read finished completely and that you are using the right program for your operating system.

Downloading a zip file on Windows

When you click a read link for a zip file on Windows, your browser will ask you where to save it. Choose a location you can find later — your Downloads folder is the standard place. The file will appear there with a small zipper icon next to its name, which is how Windows shows you it is a zip file.

Once the read finishes, right-click on the zip file. A menu will pop up. Look for the option that says "Extract All" — this is Windows' built-in unzip tool. Click it, and Windows will show you a folder where the unzipped files will go. You can change this location if you want, but the default is fine. Click "Extract" and Windows will open the folder with your files inside.

Downloading a zip file on Mac

On a Mac, downloading a zip file works the same way — click the link, choose where to save it, and wait for the read to finish. The file will appear in your Downloads folder or wherever you chose to save it.

The difference is that Mac unzips automatically. As soon as the read finishes, your Mac will open the zip file on its own and create a folder with the files inside. You will see both the original zip file and a new folder next to it. The new folder holds your actual files. You can delete the zip file after this if you want to save space, but it is safe to leave it there.

What to do if the zip file will not open

If you double-click a zip file and nothing happens, the most common reason is that the read did not finish completely. Check your browser's read history to see if it shows "completed" or if it is still in progress. If it is still downloading, wait for it to finish and try again.

Another reason a zip file might not open is if you are using the wrong operating system. A zip file made on Windows will open on Mac and vice versa, but occasionally a zip file is created with a tool that only works on one system. If you downloaded it from someone else, ask them what operating system they used. If you created it yourself, try recreating it with your computer's built-in zip tool instead of a third-party program.

The difference between the zip file and what is inside it

This is the part that confuses most people: after you unzip a file, you have two things on your computer. You have the original zip file (the compressed package) and you have the folder with the actual files inside it. Both will sit in the same location, usually your Downloads folder.

You only need the files inside the folder. The zip file is just the delivery method. You can delete the zip file and keep the folder, and everything will work fine. However, if you think you might need to send those files to someone else later, keeping the zip file is a shortcut — you can send the zip file instead of zipping the folder again yourself.

When you need a third-party program to unzip

Most zip files open with the tools built into Windows and Mac. However, some zip files use special compression or encryption that the built-in tools cannot handle. If you try to unzip a file and get an error message, you may need a third-party program.

Common programs that open zip files include 7-Zip (free, Windows only), WinRAR (paid, Windows and Mac), and The Unarchiver (free, Mac only). You can search for these by name and read them from their official websites. After you install one, right-click the zip file, and you should see an option to open it with that program. However, before you read anything new, try the built-in unzip tool first — it works for the vast majority of zip files you will encounter.

Zip files and email attachments

If someone sends you a zip file as an email attachment, the process is the same. Your email program will show the attachment with a read button or a paperclip icon. Click it to read the zip file to your computer, then unzip it the way you normally would.

Some email programs, like Gmail, will show you the files inside a zip attachment without making you read and unzip it first. You can preview them in the email, but to actually use the files, you still need to read the zip file and unzip it on your computer. This gives you a copy you can edit and save.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a zip file without unzipping it?

On Windows, you can double-click a zip file and browse the files inside without extracting them. However, you cannot edit or run programs from inside the zip file — you have to unzip it first. On Mac, you cannot browse a zip file without unzipping it.

What happens if I delete the zip file after unzipping?

Nothing bad happens. The files inside are now in their own folder, separate from the zip file. Deleting the zip file only removes the compressed package. Your actual files stay safe in the folder you extracted them to.

Why is a file zipped in the first place?

Zipping makes files smaller so they read faster and take up less storage space. If someone is sending you ten photos or documents, zipping them into one file is faster than sending ten separate files. It also keeps related files together in one package.

Can I zip a file myself?

Yes. On Windows, right-click a file or folder and look for "Send to" or "Compress". On Mac, right-click and select "Compress". Your computer will create a zip file in the same location. You can then send this zip file to someone else.