We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Software

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a ZIP File Extractor?

By G. Wiesen
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 10,663
Share

A ZIP file extractor is a type of software program that allows a user to “unzip” files that have been compressed using a similar type of program into ZIP files. ZIP files maintain the integrity and quality of an original file or files, but are compressed to allow easier transportation of the files on storage devices or across the Internet. Users typically need to use a ZIP file extractor to convert the ZIP file back into the original file or files, which can then be accessed, used, modified, and saved without the need for further extraction.

One of the greatest assets of information stored digitally is how easy it can be to transport or share that information with other people. Whether this information takes the form of text documents, pictures, or video clips, the capacity for dissemination of knowledge among large groups of people is one of the hallmarks of the digital and information age. Some files, however, can be quite large and make easy transportation and sending of the information somewhat more complex. In order to better enable the transmission of large files or many files at once, software developers have created programs that allow for the easy compression and decompression of files into a smaller single file.

A ZIP file extractor is one of these types of programs, and will sometimes compress other files into a ZIP file as well. ZIP file extractors are available from numerous software companies and may be purchasable programs full of features allowing for a user to better manage his or her information. A ZIP file extractor can also be a shareware program with reduced effectiveness or even a freeware program with downloads available at a number of different websites.

More elaborate ZIP file programs, those that usually require purchase, allow a user to compress larger files, or multiple files, into a ZIP file. This ZIP file can then be stored on portable devices that might otherwise not have been large enough for the original file or sent through the Internet. Dozens or hundreds of files can also be compressed into a single ZIP file to make them easier to transfer as a single file, rather than ensuring each individual file was transported properly.

Most programs that can zip a file can usually also serve as a ZIP file extractor. For some users, however, the need exists only for the ability to access and decompress other people’s zipped files, and simpler standalone ZIP file extractors are usually sufficient. This functionality has even been built into some operating systems (OS) for certain file types.

Share
EasyTechJunkie is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.easytechjunkie.com/what-is-a-zip-file-extractor.htm
Copy this link
EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.