Want to compress multiple files onyour Chromebookor open an archive you recently downloaded? It’s easy, as Chrome OS includes an integrated tool to pack and unpack ZIP-based archives. There’s no need for third-party software.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to zip and unzip files on a Chromebook. We’ll also list two free applications designed to add support for even more file types.
Further reading
Create an archive
Since the archive tool is built into Chrome OS, you don’t need to load or find anything except for the files you want to compress. If you simply compress a single file — a huge PSD, for example — the resulting file will have the same name. If you compress multiple files, the archive will automatically save asarchive.zip. The built-in tool does not allow you to create and save an archive in a different location than the source file(s).
Step 1:Click theFilesicon located on the Shelf. It resembles a folder.
Step 2:Locate the files you want to compress into a zip file.
Step 3:Click and hold your mouse button to draw a box around the files you want to add. To select specific files in a directory, don’t draw a box. Instead, press theCtrlbutton while clicking.
Step 4:With your files selected, right-click and selectZip Selectionon the pop-up menu.
Step 5:Right-click on your new archive and rename the file if needed.
Unzip an archive
Unzipping files is fairly easy. The only unusual aspect of Google’s built-in method is that Chrome OS mounts archives like a drive versus opening them like a standalone folder. This is different thanhow WindowsandMacOS handle archives.
Step 1:Double-click on the archive you want to unload. Chrome OS mounts and lists it on the left (see below) inFiles.
Step 2:Select the files you want to extract.
Step 3:Right-click and selectCopyon the pop-up menu.
Step 4:Navigate to the destination where you want to save these files.
Step 5:Right-click and selectPastein the pop-up menu.
Step 6:When done, click the arrow-basedEjecticon displayed next to the mounted zip file inFiles(see above).
Step 7:Delete the archive if needed.
Alternative methods
Zip Extractor
External tools, likeZip Extractor, can help extract and store zip file contents. Zip Extractor is a web-based Chrome application that manages and keeps files on your Chromebook or Google Drive. When you use Zip Extractor, the tool will automatically sort the unzipped files into folders instead of sorting them as a hard drive would. When you open Zip Extractor, you will be given the option to set it as your default app for working with zipped files.
One bad thing about Zip Extractor is that it’s a web-based application, so if you’re not connected to a Wi-Fi network, then you won’t be able to use it. However, as long as you never need it offline, this tool is still an uncomplicated, handy option.
Archive Extractor
Archive Extractoris a Chrome extension that is an ideal choice for decompressing a variety of zipped files. We mean 7-Zip, TAR, DMG, crunch, NSA, and many others. Archive Extractor is capable of supporting password-protected files and multi-faceted archives.
If you regularly use various file types, then Archive Extractor will make everything easier for you.
