How do you unzip downloaded files on a mac

You can use built-in utilities, Terminal or third-party apps. Archive Utility has the basic file compression functionality. You can quickly zip and unzip files and folders, to send to your friend or upload to Dropbox.

Archive Utility can easily zip single files and folders, by right-clicking it and choosing Compress function. When compressing multiple items, the process is about the same, with only a few minor differences.

Instead of showing a name of file or folder that is being compressed, in the pop-up menu, the word Compress will be followed by the number of items that are being selected.

Moreover, the zip file will be automatically called Archive. If you want to unzip your files, the process is, all the same, just reversed. Moments later, the archive will be unzipped. The only downside is that Archive Utility has only these two functions — compressing and decompressing.

Have you ever used the Terminal on your Mac? Instead, you can search third-party apps, that covers all the functionality of the Archive Utility, but at the same times packs high-end features.

These features can be adding comments to the archives and deleting files from archives without unzipping it. Moreover, most of the apps are fully integrated with the macOS workflow so they will work without problems. Below, we are going to explore how to unzip files on Mac, how to create zip archives, and showcase some archivers that make it really easy to zip and manage zipped files.

A zip file is a lossless way to compress and archive files and folders. You often encounter zip files in emails, as mentioned, but also when downloading from the internet.

If you've ever downloaded an app or extension directly from a developer website, chances are it was a zipped file. It uses the '. Zipping files is a time-tested method, and is largely unchanged.

Its use-cases have expanded, though. We use zip files for sending large files and bundles of PDF or text files, but it's now used as a method to send large folders of images as well as for downloading applications or games from the internet. Before we talk about some special apps and tools, we need to mention built-in macOS's utility that allows you to compress and decompress files and folders.

Its functionality is limited, but it's a decent option for quick zipping and unzipping of files and folders when you need to open zip files someone has sent you. That's all it takes.

Note the zipped file or folder will be created in the same location as the file or folder you zipped. You can move it manually if you like.

If you want to zip multiple files without first adding them to a folder, that's also possible with Archive Utility. Here's how:.

Once again, a progress bar will display. When the compression is finished, zipped items will be stored in a file called Archive. What Is svchost. Browse All Privacy and Security Articles Browse All Linux Articles Browse All Buying Guides. Best iPhone 13 Pro Case. Best Bluetooth Headphones for Switch. Best Roku TV. Best Apple Watch. Best iPad Cases. Best Portable Monitors. Best Gaming Keyboards. Best Drones.

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There are several ways to the Zip file on Mac. Some are free but there are paid options too third-party software. Only the free solutions will be given out to you today, though. You're welcome. Select "Compress" in the drop-down menu you see.

The file is then Zipped while the original is left just the way it was. In the drop-down menu that appears, click on "Compress. You can Zip your files in Mac's Terminal in different ways, but the simplest method will be outlined here for you. Open up Terminal by typing in "Terminal" at the search bar located on the top right part of your screen. If the Zipped file is not located on your desktop, move it to the desktop it's more convenient in this way. Choose the file you want to Zip and right-click on it to make it easier, make sure the file is on your desktop.

A popup window will appear, prompting you to enter a password you will have to enter the password twice; the second time will be for verification. Knowing how to zip files on Mac is good and fine but sometimes, the files you want are already Zipped. This is especially true if you downloaded the files from the web. The internet of yesterday is not the same as the internet of today. More and more of the files uploaded to websites come in Zipped formats to make downloads faster and easier.

So, what happens when you download these files but don't know your way around opening them? That is just one reason why knowing how to open zip files on your Mac is now a necessity. But just like Zipping files, Unzipping them is quite easy too. There are, of course, different ways you can do that. Here are a few:. Double-click on the file. Because "Archive Utility" is integrated into your macOS, the Zipped file will automatically open up and dump the contents into a folder bearing its name; the folder will be in the same directory as the Zipped file too.

Select "Open. Launch Terminal by typing in "Terminal" at the search bar on the top-right section of your Mac's screen. Click on it to launch it. If the Zipped file is not located on your desktop, move it to the desktop because it makes things easier and faster for you.

This is not necessary but it is advised, or else you have to type in the directory of the Zipped file before typing in its name.