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We explain what you should do to compress and decompress your files without installing any application in Windows 11.
Windows 11 comes with a manager compressed folders. Although it is not very powerful, it allows you zip and unzip files without installing any additional application. In this article we show you how to use this functionality integrated into the system and get more out of it.
Also, we talk about some applications that will give you a cable when zipping and unzipping files in Windows 11. All of them are recommended when the native tool falls short. Learn how to make the most of the system file explorer thanks to its compressed folder manager.
How to compress files or folders in Windows 11
To compress files or folders in Windows, follow these steps:
With a simple right click, you will have at your disposal a ZIP file compressor integrated in the file explorer
- Select all the documents or directories that you want to include in the zipped folder.
- Right click on one of the selected files.
- Click on Compress in ZIP file.
And this is the result! The ZIP appears in the same directory where the original files are located
Without delay, a compressed ZIP folder will be created. This is located in the same directory as the original files which, by the way, will continue in the same place where they were.
How to unzip files or folders in Windows 11
On the contrary, for unzip a ZIP file in Windows 11 You have to do this:
A very simple command: Extract all. With this option, Windows 11 will extract the entire contents of a ZIP
- Right click on the ZIP.
- press on Remove all.
But first, don’t forget to choose where you want to send the contents of the ZIP compressed folder
In the pop-up window, choose the destination of the folder content. If before extracting the content you want to view it, double click on the ZIP. Explorer will open it like any other directory.
Limitations of the Windows 11 compressed folder manager that you should know
By following the steps above, the Windows 11 file explorer will become an ally when it comes to compress and decompress files. However, it has some limitations that you should be aware of:
- The ZIP format is the only one supported. It does not matter if what you are looking for is to apply compression or decompression: Windows only works with ZIP files. So with this trick you will not be able to open or generate files in RAR or 7z format, both of which are also very popular.
- It does not get along with files divided into several parts. When it comes to uncompressing a file that has been compressed into multiple parts, Windows doesn’t offer support. All you will do is extract each part individually.
- There are no advanced options. Compression with Windows Explorer has no additional parameters. For example, it is not possible to adjust the compression ratio, something that applications specifically developed to handle files of this type do offer.
If any of these points is a problem in your case, read on to discover what are the best free tools to handle compressed folders with your computer.
Very powerful and free applications to compress and uncompress on Windows
At Urban Tecno we have already talked about some issues related to the content of this guide. For example, we explain what you should do to extract RAR or ZIP files on Android, what are the best alternatives to WinRAR and how to get more out of the portable version of this last mentioned application.
However, this time we have focused on zip and unzip files in windows 11. You have already seen that, although it is a very useful tool, the system compressed folders gesture has some limitations. If you consider yourself a advanced userthese free alternatives are going to come in handy.
7-Zip
Does this interface ring a bell? It is somewhat rudimentary, we cannot deny it. But it is a very powerful tool for managing compressed files. oh and it’s free
7-Zip is one of the best known decompression tools. It stands out for being an open source project and completely free. Solve one of the main problems of the Windows 11 file explorer when it comes to managing compressed folders: compatibility. It is capable of compressing and decompressing files in 7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP and WIM formats. But when it comes to decompression alone, it can do it all. Allowed file types are APFS, AR, ARJ, CAB, CHM, CPIO, CramFS, DMG, EXT, FAT, GPT, HFS, IHEX, ISO, LZH, LZMA, MBR, MSI, NSIS, NTFS, QCOW2, RAR, RPM, SquashFS, UDF, UEFI, VDI, VHD, VHDX, VMDK, WIM, XAR and Z. The best? You have this potential at your disposal without paying a single euro.
nanazip
We can’t deny that 7-Zip is great, but at the moment it has a relevant problem: not compatible with the new Windows 11 menus. This means that to use it from the shell from the file explorer you will need to click See more options every time you open the context menu. nanazip it’s the solution. We are before a fork free version of 7-Zip that does include this compatibility.
PeaZip
Another option available to you is PeaZip. Among its main functions you will find the encryption and opening of ZIP files, the sending of large files by email and integration with cloud storage services. Also, it compresses multiple documents with one click, supports 7Z and RAR formats, and much more. This utility can be downloaded from its official page completely free of charge.
Compress and decompress online
Finally, we offer you an alternative to traditional applications to zip and unzip in windows 11, especially if you don’t want to install anything. Basically, the idea is to take advantage of the potential of tools that work online through the web browser. One of the options is UnzipOnlinecompatible with files up to 200 MB and that deletes the content after 24 hours. If you want a more powerful portal, Extract Me may be a good solution for you.
Related topics: Windows
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