Why is there a zipper on my folder? How to zip a folder and unzip a zip file.
You've seen those files with little zippers on them. What are they and what are they used for?
Those files are called zip files, and they're a way to compress a file or folder so that the file size is much smaller. A smaller file size means you can more easily share a folder.
Unzipping a zip file:
If you receive a zip file, how you unzip (AKA decompress) it depends on if you're using a Mac or Windows:
On a Mac, double-click on the zip file.
If you’re a Windows user:
- Open File Explorer and find the zipped folder.
- To unzip the entire folder, right-click to select Extract All, and then follow the instructions.
- To unzip a single file or folder, double-click the zipped folder to open it. Then, drag or copy the item from the zipped folder to a new location.
After you remove the contents, go ahead and delete the zip file. Removing the zip file will help keep you organized and prevent duplicate folders.
Zipping up a folder:
What about when you want to send a folder to someone else? Then you'll need to zip up the folder:
Mac users:
Right-click on the folder and choose 'Compress <folder_name>' to create a zip file.
Windows 10 and older:
Right-click on the folder and choose 'Send to' and then 'Compressed (zipped) folder,' which will create a .zip file.
Windows 11:
Right-click on the folder and choose "Compress to Zip File."
If you're zipping up your code to send us for review, zip the entire project folder. This will give us the full context, including how your files and images are linked together. Then, we'll be able to help guide you properly.
There you go! Now you can share work with other developers, designers, and clients. Fantastic!
Additional Resources
What Does a Zip Folder Look Like? : Tech Niche by eHowTech
How to Zip and Unzip files on your Mac by macmostvideo