File Types : Zip
There are many file types out there. One that you may encounter, especially when downloading files from the Web, is the ZIP file. Zip files are usually collections of files that are compressed in order to make the file size smaller, which makes for a more convenient download.
So what do you do with a zip file when you have one?
To use the files in a zip file, you have to "extract" or decompress the files.
To begin, double-click the file. You will see a list of the files contained in the Zip file. In the Folder Tasks column to the left, click Extract All Files to begin the process.
The Compressed Folders Extraction Wizard will open. Click Next.
Select a location to which you want the files extracted. Usually, if the Zip file is on your Desktop, the Wizard will go ahead and create a folder on your Desktop.
The files will extract.
When the extraction is complete, you will be presented with the option to see the extracted files. Leave this option checked, and click Finish.
The Wizard will close, and the folder created by the Wizard will open. This is a regular folder, and the files can be worked with. They are uncompressed.
Note that you will have the newly created folder and the Zip file on your desktop, or wherever on your computer they are located. To avoid clutter, you may wish to delete one of those items when you are finished with them, but be careful that you are not deleting something you will need later.