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How to Unzip Files on Chromebook? [2024]

One of the common questions users ask is how to unzip files on Chromebook? and it’s natural considering the unique file system and usability of Chrome OS.

Chrome OS is a fantastic lightweight operating system made for web-first users and doesn’t want to carry unnecessary bloatware.  And I must add that Google has done a decent job in this area.  It has a good feature set and offers a wide variety of apps.  For instance, you don’t need a third-party tool to extract ZIP files on a Chromebook.

How to Unzip Files on Chromebook

Few people, however, know the specifics of how to achieve that or access other compressed file types.  So, in this article, we’ll show you how to extract ZIP files on a Chromebook using both native and third-party methods in just five easy steps.

Let’s review the guide now that that has been said.

How to UNZIP / ZIP Files on Chromebook

1. Create a repository

You don’t need to load or search for anything because Chrome OS has an archive tool; you only need the files you wish to compress. A single file will have the same name if you compress it—a sizable PSD, for instance. When numerous files are compressed, the archive is automatically saved as archive.zip. You cannot generate and save an archive using the built-in tool in a different location than the source file (s).

Step 1:

First, select the Files icon from the Shelf. It looks like a folder.

Step 2:

Locate the files that you wish to zip up in .

Step 3:

Draw a box around the files you want to add by clicking and holding the mouse button. Don’t draw a box to pick certain files in a directory. Instead, click while holding down the Ctrl button.

Step 4:

Right-click on your selected files and choose Zip Selection from the pop-up menu.

Step 5:

Right-click on your newly created archive and, if necessary, rename the file.

Also Read: How to Take Screenshot on Chromebook

2. Zip up a file

It is fairly simple to Unzip Files on Chromebook. The single unique feature of Google’s integrated approach is that Chrome OS mounts archives like drives rather than opening them as isolated folders. This differs from how archives are handled by Windows and MacOS.

Step 1:

Double-click the archive you want to unload . Chrome OS mounts it and displays it in Files on the left (see below).

Step 2:

Choose the files you want to extract in.

Step 3:

Right-click, and then from the pop-up menu, choose Copy.

Step 4:

Go to the location where you wish to save these files.

Step 5:

Right-click, and then from the pop-up menu, choose Paste.

Step 6:

When finished, click the mounted zip file’s accompanying arrow-based Eject symbol in Files (see above).

Step 7:

If necessary, delete the archive.

What file types is Chrome OS compatible with?

For those who needed to unzip files on Chromebook, Chrome OS only supported.zip and.rar files until recently. To support even more file types that you may browse and unzip, Google has updated Chrome OS. 
 
This is the complete list:

.zip
.rar
.tar
.tar.gz (.tgz)
.tar.bz2 (.tbz2)

You may also like:  How to Fix Chromebook Camera Not Working Issue

 

Alternative to Zip/Unzip Files on Chromebook

1. Extractor Zip

Zip file data can be extracted and stored with the aid of third-party software like Zip Extractor. The Chrome online software Zip Extractor organizes and maintains data on your Chromebook or Google Drive. Instead of categorizing the unzipped files as a hard drive would, Zip Extractor sorts them into directories automatically. You have the choice to make Zip Extractor your default software for working with compressed files when you first launch it.

Zip Extractor has the drawback of being a web-based tool, which prevents you from using it if you’re not connected to a Wi-Fi network. However, this utility is still useful if you never require it offline.

2. Document Extractor

The Chrome addon Archive Extractor is the best option for unzipping a variety of compressed files. We are referring to software like NSA, crunch, TAR, DMG, and 7-Zip. Password-protected files and multifaceted archives can both be supported by Archive Extractor. If you frequently work with different file types, Archive Extractor will simplify your life.

I hope this simple guide has helped you save time on exploring how to unzip files on Chromebook. Do let us know if you prefer the legacy extraction tools on Google Chromebook or have some other chrome extensions in the comments section below.

                                                                                                                                                                          Image credits-Topteknews.net