How to Zip, Unzip & Open RAR/7Z Files on Windows 11 & 10
Applies to: Windows 11 (23H2+), Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 7, Windows XP
Windows has shipped with native ZIP support since Windows XP (2001). However, native support for additional formats such as RAR, 7-Zip and TAR only arrived in Windows 11 Insider Build 23466 / 23H2 via the open-source libarchive library. If you are on Windows 10 or an earlier release of Windows 11, you will still need third-party tools (e.g., WinRAR or 7-Zip) to handle those formats.
Quick Reference: Which Tool Opens Which Format?
| Archive type | Built-in (Win 11 23H2+) | Windows 10 / older | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| .zip | ✔ | ✔ (since XP) | No extra software needed |
| .rar | ✔ | ❌ Use WinRAR or 7-Zip | Password-protected RAR5 files open only in WinRAR 5.0+ |
| .7z | ✔ | ❌ Use 7-Zip | 7-Zip supports >50 formats incl. TAR & ISO |
| .tar / .gz | ✔ | ❌ Use 7-Zip or PeaZip | Common on Linux/macOS downloads |
How to Compress Files in Windows
Method 1: Right-click “Send to → Compressed (zipped) folder”
- Select one or more files/folders, then right-click › Send to › Compressed (zipped) folder.
- Windows names the archive after the item you right-clicked. Press F2 or Rename to choose something clearer.
On Windows 11, click Show more options or press Shift+F10 to reveal the classic “Send to” menu. - The .zip file appears in the same directory.
Method 2: File Explorer Ribbon “Share › Zip”
Inside a normal File Explorer window (not the Desktop or Quick Access view):
- Select a file/folder.
- Click the Share tab on the Ribbon; choose Zip.
- Press Enter or type a new name to finish.
How to Decompress (Unzip) Files
Security tip: Scan any downloaded archive with Windows Security
(right-click → Scan with Microsoft Defender) before opening. Malware is often hidden in
(right-click → Scan with Microsoft Defender) before opening. Malware is often hidden in
.zip, .rar and .7z files.Method 1: Extract All…
- Right-click the .zip file › Extract All…
- Choose a target folder or accept the default (same location).
- Click Extract.
Method 2: WinRAR for RAR, ZIP & more
- Download WinRAR (choose 64-bit if you have a 64-bit system: Settings › System › About › System type).
- During setup, tick the formats you want WinRAR to own. Associations can be changed later in Options › Settings › Integration.
- Right-click any archive › use the WinRAR submenu (Extract Here, Extract to <Folder>, Test archive, etc.).
Method 3: 7-Zip for 7Z, RAR, ZIP & 50+ formats
- Download the latest 7-Zip build from 7-Zip.org and install. Use the matching 64-bit MSI if you run a 64-bit Windows.
- Right-click an archive › 7-Zip › Open archive (view without extraction) or choose an Extract option.
Method 4: Drag-and-Drop Selective Extraction
- Double-click the archive to open it in File Explorer, WinRAR, or 7-Zip.
- Resize or move the archive window so you can see your destination folder/Desktop.
- Highlight the files/folders you want, then drag them out of the archive window and drop them where you like.
Edits made to extracted files are not synced back to the original archive.
