How to open a .zip file
Quick, free ways to open ZIP on any system.
A .zip file is a ZIP Archive. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads ZIP yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.
Open a .zip file step by step
- Confirm the file really is a .zip. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
- On Windows, open it with File Explorer or 7-Zip.
- On Mac, use Archive Utility or The Unarchiver.
- On Linux, try Archive Manager or unzip.
- Still stuck? Convert the .zip to 7Z, which opens more widely.
Best apps to open .zip files
Windows
- File Explorer
- 7-Zip
- WinRAR
macOS
- Archive Utility
- The Unarchiver
Linux
- Archive Manager
- unzip
Web
- Not natively; download and extract
!
Before you open it: The container is safe, but its contents can be anything, including malware. Scan archives from unknown sources before running what is inside.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I open my .zip file?
Almost always because no installed app understands ZIP. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.
How do I unzip a file?
On Windows, right-click and choose Extract All. On Mac, double-click it. On Linux, use the Archive Manager or the unzip command.
Are ZIP files safe?
The ZIP itself is harmless. The danger is what it contains, so scan unexpected archives before opening the files inside.