---
title: "How to Zip and Unzip Files using Windows 7"
description: "In this tutorial we will show you how to Zip and Unzip a file or folder in Windows 7. You can then transfer a zipped file safely over the internet, or unzip a file that was shared with you. I will be..."
url: https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/website/zip-unzip-win7/
date: 2014-08-18
modified: 2022-09-26
author: "InMotion Hosting Contributor"
categories: ["Website"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# How to Zip and Unzip Files using Windows 7

In this tutorial we will show you how to **Zip** and **Unzip** a **file** or **folder** in Windows 7. You can then transfer a zipped file safely over the internet, or unzip a file that was shared with you. I will be using the tools included in Windows 7. This is convenient, since it does not require any additional software installations.

- [Zip a File/Folder](#zip)
- [Unzip a File/Folder](#unzip)

![Compressed folder in win7](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/zip-unzip_zip-archive.png)*Example of zipped file or folder in Windows 7*

## Zip a File/Folder

1. In Windows, navigate to the file/folder you want to zip, and **Right-click** it.
2. On the menu that pops up, roll your mouse over **Send to**, then click **Compressed (zipped) folder**.![Windows 7 Send to Zip](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/zip-unzip_send-to-compressed-zipped-folder.png)
3. You will see a new zipped file/folder appear, it will have a “**Z**” on it for identification. It contains the file/folder you selected, and will have the same name. Feel free to enter a new name if necessary, then click the **Enter** key to save the file.![Compressed File](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/zip-unzip_new-zipped-file.png)

## Unzip a File/Folder

1. In Windows 7, navigate to the zipped (compressed) file you want to *Unzip*, and **right-click** it.
2. On the menu that pops up, roll your mouse over **Open with**, then click **Windows Explorer**.![Win7 Explorer Compressed File](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/zip-unzip_open-zip-file-with-windows-explorer.png)
3. You will then see the contents of the zip file. Click the file and drop it on your desktop, or another file location. The contents of the file will be unzipped, and you can then use it as needed.![Uncompressing a File in Windows 7 Explorer](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/zip-unzip_drag-drop.png)

Congratulations, now you know how to **Zip** (compress) or **Unzip** (uncompress) a file in Windows 7! You can safely [upload the file](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/website/how-to-upload-files-server/) to your account, or transfer it as needed.