Learn how to zip and unzip files and folders with Windows Vistas built in compression function.
Compressing and uncompressing (zip and unzip) a folder or files can be done “out of the box” with Windows Vista. You don’t need to purchase software to zip or unzip files anymore.
This is not an obvious feature in Windows Vista. I’ve split this guide into two sections that explain how to zip and unzip files and folders using Windows Vistas compression feature.
Zip (Compress) Files and Folders
Right-click a file or folder with multiple files in it, point at Send To, then select Compressed (zipped) Folder.
Windows Vista will compress (zip) the file or folder and save the new zipped file in the same place as the original file.
Unzip (Uncompress) Files and Folders
You can unzip a file a few different ways.
Double-click the Zipped File
The easiest way to unzip a file is to double-click it. A window with the zipped files contents will open. You can click Extract all files or drag the files out of the window to the desired location (example: the desktop).
If you choose to click extract all files, the files will be extracted (unzipped) in the same location as the original file unless you specify a location in the Select a Destination and Extract Files box that appears when you choose to extract them.
Right-click the Zipped File
Right-click the zipped file and select Extract all. The Select a Destination and Extract Files window will open and let you choose if you want to save the files in the same location as the original zipped file or you can choose where you want to save the unzipped files by clicking browse and choosing a new location.
By Todd on December 17th, 2007 at 7:12 pm #
Please clarify the default Vista compression and whether it can be configured.
By Default programme has Adobe;ancestral quest and Winzip to open zipped folders,none do this and I have had to delete these folders on December 26th, 2007 at 3:56 am #
No idea how to have the inbuilt zip folder in Windows vista or how to retrieve it
By Cybersupam on January 21st, 2008 at 10:05 am #
All the above process works in XPs and others, but hardly at Vista
By Sebastian on March 31st, 2008 at 8:35 am #
Wow, thank you for this advice as I can’t afford to buy WinZip and this helped me learn how to use Vista to unzip my files for the new website I’m working on.
By Neal Kadlec on October 18th, 2008 at 11:17 am #
Dear Sir:
I have had Vista almost from the start. I am really thinking about going back to XP because of the very slow starts and all the other problems like this one…
I need to down-load electronic file codes about once/twice a month to opperate equiptment. I should seperate the code and remove the text from the number portion. Unzip the number portion with the new code and install it to bring up the electronic device. Before trying to do this (with my Dell & Vista) I had never tried to zip/unzip a file. Because I had problems try (and not knowing what I was doing) I did try to down-load one of those free zip/unzip programs. It was a mess! It was loaded with all kinds of Pop-ups and unusable, so I dumped it!
Now that I kind-of understand what I should be doing. It looks like part of my file or shell extension is gone (or it has always been missing?). Either way, I cannot follow your directions. Please help!
Might I be better of re-installing my Windows Vista over my existing Vista?
When I rigt click I don’t see any Extract all Files and that menu is not there. If I go into Properties or Edit I go into a Microsoft word file ‘lingo? All I can do there is exit.
I am my computers Administrator but I could not follow your explanation of how to try and fix the shell extension. I clicked on start and could not find where to type in the command line! I tried Search but nada! So,where do I type in a command line? And then where do I see the entry for CompressFolder? And then???
Please respond and help!
Thank you,
Neal
By Terry Griffith on November 2nd, 2008 at 9:22 pm #
Thanks for the info. I never would have found it without your help. I need to zip some video files to send them to the person on them. I, unfortunatly, have Vista but I don’t think my friend does. Before I zip them and send them to her, will she be able to unzip them if she has XP?
By Brent Trahan on November 3rd, 2008 at 6:31 am #
Yes.
By Rick Zimmerman on November 12th, 2008 at 4:16 pm #
I have tried to unzip a compressed file and still am having no luck please help
By Miriel on November 19th, 2008 at 4:36 pm #
I have windows vista and do not have the option to “extract all” when right-clicking on the file….any other solutions?
By Kimberly on November 22nd, 2008 at 8:55 am #
mee toooo! I have an assignment thats due Sunday.. cant unzip. when i double click on it, it doesn’t show the files.. it opens up in some wingding language in notepad.
No extract option.
hm.. guess you didn’t know what you were talkin about.. unless this isn’t really for vista.
Thanks,
Kimberly
By Brent Trahan on November 22nd, 2008 at 7:12 pm #
I unzip files using this feature on a daily basis. Maybe there’s someting wrong with your computer.
By J singh on November 27th, 2008 at 3:16 am #
When I wanted to unzip a file, I select to unzip the file using another program. Now be defualt the unzip file always selects that particluar program unzip the file. This program loads images. How can I navigate to the windows zip file to reselect this built in compression program?
By Brent Trahan on November 27th, 2008 at 8:23 am #
Uninstall the program that’s trying to unzip the files.
By Vinay on December 13th, 2008 at 7:21 pm #
I’m using Vista. I’ve been sent a bunch of compressed folders as *.zip files. When I try to ‘extract all’ or double-click, I get this message “Windows cannot open the folder. The compressed (zipped) folder is invalid.”
This is happening with all the zipped files I’ve received from different sources. Other people who have received the same file are able to open it, though most of them are on WinXP.
By Graham on December 30th, 2008 at 7:14 am #
I have been playing with Winzip 12 and encryption. On uninstalling Winzip the zip files are no longer linked to a program so I am looking for the name of the Vista program so I can restore the default.
The problem described by Vinay occurs when you try to open an encrypted archive with Vista that was zipped and encrypted by Winzip. That’s what I have been testing- the two methods don’t seem to be compatable.
I have not had any problems unzipping any other type of file using Vista. I have all the patches and service packs set up for Vista.
By Felix on December 30th, 2008 at 4:25 pm #
IS there a keyboard shortcut for ‘Send to Compressed Folder’??
By wael on January 3rd, 2009 at 8:12 pm #
hello body look wanna ask u plz
i used to extract the same file many times cause this file needs extraction every time i need to use it after several times its stoped wroking and the windows tell me that it (could not extract this file cause the file destination could not be ceated) so plz can u help me fix this problem
By Asuquo Clergy on January 4th, 2009 at 7:47 pm #
Hi Brent, Thanks for the useful tips.
I wish to know if compressing a file can reduce the size of
the file. I need to reduce the file size.
Thanks