Windows Won't Let Me Unzip My Files
By Derek King
A ZIP archive contains one or more files that have been compressed together to reduce their size. ZIP archives are used to transfer multiple files via email that would have otherwise been too large. If Windows has difficulty opening a particular ZIP archive, you can download file-archiver software to use instead.
Download and install a file archiver and data compression utility. Visit the software's official website and click directly on the "Download" link. Double-click on the downloaded setup file to initiate the utility's installation. Click "Next" through the series of prompts and follow any additional instructions to successfully install the software.
Open the file with the file-archiving software. Locate the ZIP file in Windows that you're having difficulty opening up. Right-Click on the file, and select "Open With." Choose your new file-archiving software among the list of "Recommended Programs." The application should open the ZIP file.
At the top of the application, locate an option entitled "Extract," "Unzip," "Decompress," or something similar, and select it. Designate a location on the computer for the extracted file to go, and press "OK" to start extraction. Allow several minutes for the files to completely extract from the ZIP files.
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Writer Bio
Derek King is an undergraduate student attending the University of Austin. King was editor-in-chief of his high school newspaper for four years. In addition to online instructional articles, he also creates content for the music and entertainment blog GetFreshKid.com.