How do you open a ZIP (.zip) file?

Answer: A ZIP file is a compressed file, which has been "zipped" up with a special encoding that allows it to take up less space. To open the file, you'll first need to decode or "unzip" it. This requires a decompression program such as WinZip, PKUnzip, or Aladdin Stuffit Expander.

Check out Download.com for a free copy of one of these programs. Use the decompression program to open and decode the ZIP file. The file will then be converted to it's original state and you can open it with whatever program the file was created with.

Published: March 10, 2000 — by Per Christensson