How to zip and unzip files on a Windows 10 computer using built-in tools

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Zipping files in Windows 10 is a great way to reduce file sizes, and you can easily unzip any zipped files you download.

• Zipping is a popular method for compressing files, and you can zip and unzip files on Windows 10 in several ways without installing any additional software.
• You can zip files by using Windows' right-click menu to "send" them to a zipped folder.
• You can unzip quickly by double-clicking the zip file and dragging the individual files out to the desktop.
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Zipping is one of the oldest, most commonly used methods for compressing files. It's used to save space and transmit them more quickly.

In fact, it's so common that zip compression and decompression is built into Windows. Here is how to zip files, plus two methods for unzipping them.

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How to zip files in Windows 10

1. Put all the files you want to zip in the same location, such as the same folder.

2. Select all the files. An easy way to do this is to drag a selection box around them with the mouse pointer.

3. Right-click one of the selected files.

4. In the drop-down menu, choose "Send to" and then click "Compressed (zipped) folder."

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To zip one or more files, right click and choose "Send to… Compressed (zipped) folder."

5. A new zip file will appear in the same folder. You can identify a zip file visually because the icon has a zipper on it.

How to unzip files in Windows 10 with drag-and-drop

1. Double-click the zip file you want to unzip. You can identify a zip file visually because the icon has a zipper on it.

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You can identify a zip file by its signature zipper.

2. The zip file will open a folder, showing you the individual files inside.

3. Select all the files, or just the ones you want to use, and drag them out of the folder to another location on your computer. You can drag them into a folder or place them on the desktop.

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To unzip files, drag them out of the zip folder.

The files have now been unzipped and can be used normally. You can now delete the zip file, if there's nothing left in there that you want.

How to unzip files in Windows 10 with the zip wizard

1. Right-click the zip file. In the drop-down menu, click "Extract All…" The zip wizard will appear.

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Right click the zip file to open the zip wizard.

2. If you want to unzip the files to a different folder, click "Browse…" and choose a location.

3. Click "Extract" and the files will be unzipped and copied to the folder indicated.

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You can unzip files with one click after launching the wizard.

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• How to boot your Windows 10 computer into 'Safe Mode,' to diagnose and troubleshoot problems

• How to make a zip file on your Mac computer, to save some storage space and clear digital clutter

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