Files you download from the Internet are often compressed or zipped so that they take up less space and arrive much faster than files that haven’t been compressed. You can easily identify compressed files by their extensions, such as .zip (a common standard used in OS X and Windows) and .sit. Before you can use these files, you must learn how to unzip files on mac computers for proper access – luckily the process isn’t that complicated!
How to unzip files on mac computers
Download WinZip for free – The world's #1 zip file utility to instantly zip or unzip files, share files quickly through email, and much more. 7-Zip is a very popular archive manager that supports most of the popular compression formats. 7-Zip for Mac has not been developed by Igor Pavlov, yet.
![Zip Zip](http://cdn.osxdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/how-to-zip-files-archive-mac-os-x.jpg)
Unzipping a file on a mac computer is user-friendly and intuitive. To unzip files on a mac, simply follow the steps below:
- Double click the zipped file.
- The file will automatically be decompressed by Archive Utility into the same folder the compressed file is in.
- Access the extracted files by clicking the appropriate icons.
Alternatively, if the method above does not work, you can right-click on the .zip package, and select Open With > Archive Utility (default).
Apple and third party software
Apple used to include a program called StuffIt Expander to decompress zipped files, but doesn’t now that OS X lets you unzip files (but not .sit files). However, StuffIt from SmithMicro Software still comes in handy for opening other types of compressed files, notably the .sit or .sitx compressed types. Go to www.stuffit-expander.com or www.stuffit.com/mac/index.html to download a free version of the software or to splurge for the Deluxe version. In addition to compressing files, StuffIt Deluxe lets you encrypt and back up files.
Meanwhile, you can archive or create your own .zip files through OS X, which is useful if you’re e-mailing a number of meaty files to a friend. Right-click (or Ctrl-click) files you want to compress inside Finder and choose Compress Filename. The newly compressed files carry the .zip extension. The archive is created in the same location as the original file and is named originalfilename.zip. You can also choose File→Compress. If you compress a lot of files at once, the archive takes the name Archive.zip.
By default, compressed files are opened with the Archive Utility. It appears in the Dock (in Leopard) while the files are being unsqueezed, unless you choose to open them with Stuffit Expander or some other program.
How to zip files on a mac
On the flip side, you can also archive or create your own .zip files through OS X, which is useful if you’re e-mailing a number of meaty files to a client or friend. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to easily zip files on a mac:
- Right-click or Ctrl-click the multiple files you want to compress (whether on the desktop or inside the Finder).
- Select Compress Filename from the pop-up menu.
- The files are now compressed in a .zip extension and the archive is created in the same location as the original file name, except with the .zip appended to its name.
On some Apple computers, you can also compress a file by simply choosing File→Compress. If you compress a lot of files at once, the archive takes the name Archive.zip.
- Latest Version:WinZip Mac Edition 7.0 LATEST
- Requirements:Mac OS X 10.10 or later
- Author / Product:WinZip Computing / WinZip Mac Edition
- Old Versions:
- Filename:winzipmacedition7.dmg
- MD5 Checksum:55571c9a13e0ce52ecc196384ddf7bfb
- Details:WinZip Mac Edition 2019 full offline installer setup for Mac
Manage, protect and share your files in an all-new modern interface with WinZip for Mac Edition. With rich new file management features--including browsing, copying, moving, renaming and deleting--and trusted compression, encryption and sharing, the app offers a whole new way to work with your files. Quickly browse local, network and cloud files. Download, Install or Update WinZip for Mac!
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Features and Highlights
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Do more with your files—without leaving the tool—thanks to new file management features, including Copy to, Move to, Rename and Delete.
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Note: 45 days trial version. Requires 64-bit processor.
Also Available: Download WinZip for Windows
Drag and drop to add files to your zip. Easily choose options for encryption, PDF conversion, watermarking. Then save or share via cloud services, email, instant messaging and social media. New touch screen support puts the power of WinZip at your fingertips on almost any screen or device. It's everything you want to do with your files - and it is all in WinZip for Mac.
Features and Highlights
Unzip all major formats
With just a click, open all major compression file types, including Zip, Zipx, RAR, 7Z, TAR, GZIP, VHD, XZ and more.
Rich file management
Do more with your files—without leaving the tool—thanks to new file management features, including Copy to, Move to, Rename and Delete.
Protect your privacy
Easily encrypt files as you zip to keep information and data secure. Add watermarks to deter unauthorized copying.
Simplify sharing
Share large files directly by email, cloud services, social media and instant messaging services, manage your online files more easily and quickly share links to your cloud files. Download, Install or Update Win Zip for Mac!
Note: 45 days trial version. Requires 64-bit processor.
Also Available: Download WinZip for Windows