Dealing with a multitude of ZIP files? This Windows tutorial will show you how to unzip them all simultaneously.
Numerous Windows 11/10 users often find themselves in the position of needing to extract ZIP files. While the default Windows archive extraction tool is suitable for handling individual ZIP files, it lacks the capability to simultaneously extract multiple ZIP archives. Consequently, when relying on this extraction utility, you are required to extract each ZIP archive individually.
Hence, the native extraction tool in Windows falls short when you have a bulk of ZIP files to unzip. It’s more practical to employ a third-party application such as 7-Zip or ExtractNow, as they provide the capability to extract multiple ZIP archives simultaneously. Here’s the procedure for extracting multiple ZIP files using these software solutions.
A Guide to Extracting Multiple ZIP Archives Simultaneously Using 7-Zip
7-Zip stands out as an excellent file compression and extraction tool designed for Windows. This software is both freely accessible and remarkably compatible with Windows versions dating all the way back to 2000. You can perform batch extraction of multiple archives into separate folders using this software by following these steps:
1. Go to the official 7-Zip webpage.
2. Select the 64-bit version of 7-Zip and click on the “Download” option.
3. Start by clicking on the pinned taskbar shortcut to open Windows File Explorer. Then, navigate to the folder where your browser downloaded the 7-Zip installation file.
4. Double-click on the file named “7z2301-x64.”
5. Click on the “Install” button to initiate the installation of 7-Zip. It will be installed in the directory specified within the “Destination folder” box.
6. Once the installation is complete, select “Close” to exit the installer.
Now, let’s get started with using the application:
1. Open the Start menu and locate the 7-Zip folder at the top of the apps list. Inside this folder, click on “7-Zip File Manager” to launch the software.
2. Inside the 7-Zip window, navigate to a folder containing the ZIP archives you want to work with.
3. To select multiple ZIP files for extraction, hold down the Ctrl key and click on each of them within 7-Zip.
4. After selecting the desired ZIP files, click on the “Extract” option to bring up an extraction window.
5. To modify the destination folder for the extracted subfolders, click on the ellipsis button. Then, select a different directory and click “OK.”
6. Click “OK” again to commence the extraction of the chosen ZIP archives.
This action will result in the extraction of all selected ZIP archives into distinct subfolders. These subfolders will inherit the names of the ZIP files you’ve extracted. After completing the extraction process in 7-Zip, close the program and navigate to the directory where you specified the extraction to occur. From there, you can access and open the extracted folders.
In 7-Zip’s Extract window, the “*\” signifies that the archives are extracted into new folders individually. If you prefer to extract all the selected archives into a single subfolder, remove the “*\” from the text box. Instead, input a new folder name at the end of the designated path. This adjustment will prompt 7-Zip to batch extract all the ZIP files into the newly specified folder in the “Extract to” box.
A Guide to Extracting Multiple ZIP Archives Simultaneously Using ExtractNow
ExtractNow is a free software program specifically crafted for the simultaneous extraction of multiple archives. This versatile tool enables batch extraction of ZIP and RAR archives, among others, and is compatible with Windows platforms dating all the way back to 1995. Here’s how you can extract multiple ZIP files in a batch using ExtractNow:
1. Begin by visiting the ExtractNow download page.
2. Click on “Download Now” to save the ExtractNow setup file to your system.
3. Double-click the “extractnow.exe” file to initiate the setup wizard.
4. Agree to the software’s license terms by clicking on “I Agree.”
5. Proceed by selecting “Next” twice more, and then click “Install” to complete the installation process.
6. Select the “Close” option to launch ExtractNow.
Now, let’s get started with using the application:
1. Inside the ExtractNow window, right-click and choose “Add archives.”
2. To select multiple ZIP archives, hold down the Ctrl key and click “Open.”
3. Click “Extract” to unzip the ZIP files.
4. Afterward, click “OK to All” to extract the selected archives into subfolders, each with a title corresponding to the respective ZIP file, all within the same directory. Alternatively, if you wish to designate a different destination for each file, manually select a location within the “Browse for Folder” window and click “OK.”
By default, ExtractNow will always prompt you to specify the extraction location. However, if you prefer to have it automatically unzip ZIP files without asking, you can adjust this setting in the application. Simply click the “Settings” button, navigate to the “Destination” tab, and select the “Automatically extract archives to” radio button.
If you want to set a default location for the extraction of selected ZIP files, click the “Browse for Folder” button. Then, choose a directory within the “Browse for Folder” window and click “OK.” Finally, click “OK” in the Settings window to save your preferences.
Furthermore, ExtractNow offers a range of other customizable settings. For a comprehensive understanding of these options and their functions, refer to the ExtractNow manual.
Speed Up the Batch Extraction of ZIP Files in Windows
ExtractNow and 7-Zip stand out as two of the top freely accessible Windows desktop applications for efficiently extracting multiple ZIP files simultaneously. With these software solutions, you can swiftly and effortlessly perform batch extractions of numerous ZIP archives in just a few simple steps. Consequently, they prove to be indispensable tools for individuals who require the streamlined extraction of a large quantity of ZIP files.