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Unzip files on Windows 11

How to unzip files on Windows 11

For one ordinary ZIP, Windows already has the right tool. These are the built-in steps, followed by the three cases where File Explorer stops being enough.

  1. Find the ZIP file in File Explorer

    Open File Explorer and go to the folder containing the .zip file. Do not run a program from inside the ZIP; extract the archive first so every file it needs lands in a normal folder.

  2. Choose Extract All

    Right-click the ZIP and choose Extract All. You can also open the ZIP, then choose Extract All from File Explorer's toolbar. Both routes open the same destination dialog.

  3. Choose where the unzipped files go

    Accept the suggested folder beside the ZIP, or choose Browse and pick another folder. Keep Show extracted files when complete selected if you want File Explorer to open the result when it finishes.

  4. Extract and check the result

    Choose Extract and wait for the new folder to open. Check that the files you need are present before deleting the original ZIP. The ZIP remains unchanged until you remove it yourself.

When File Explorer is enough

Use the built-in flow for one normal ZIP when you want everything inside it. It costs nothing, installs nothing and leaves the original archive intact. Microsoft's currentZIP and unzip guidedocuments the same Extract All path.

When you need another tool

  • The ZIP has a password. File Explorer does not handle encrypted archives. Use EasyUnZip, 7-Zip or WinRAR, and get the password from the sender.
  • You selected several ZIP files. Extract All works through them one at a time. A batch tool can give each archive its own folder in one pass.
  • You only need one file type. File Explorer can copy individual files, but it cannot extract every JPG or PDF across a large archive as one filter.

EasyUnZip covers those three cases from File Explorer: select the archives, pressAltE, then choose the destination, enter each required password and choose the file types. It does not replace Windows for the easy case and does not create ZIP files.

Checked on 23 August 2026 against Microsoft's Windows ZIP guidance and the shipped EasyUnZip 0.1.1 workflow. Windows features change; the date states what this guide was checked against.