Surely on more than one occasion you've come across a compressed file in ZIP, RAR, or 7z format, and wondered how to open it on your computer without installing another program. Perhaps you don't want to take up more space, or you're simply using a PC that doesn't allow you to install software. Whatever your situation, the good news is that It is entirely possible to unzip compressed files in Windows without having to install anything..
In this article we are going to explore absolutely All available options to open and extract ZIP, RAR and 7z files without resorting to installed external programs. Starting with the solutions offered by Windows itself, moving on to cloud versions, and ending with UWP apps that can be used directly from the Microsoft Store, everything explained step by step so you can choose the method that best suits your needs.
How to unzip ZIP files in Windows without installing any programs
The first thing you should know is that Windows, for several versions now, includes a built-in tool for managing ZIP files. That is, You don't need to download or install anything additional to work with this type of format. Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 They come with native support for compressing and decompressing ZIP files.
How does it work? Very simple. If you have a file with a .zip extension, you can right-click on it and you'll see the option “Extract everything…” in the context menu. Selecting it will open a window where you can select the destination folder. After confirming, the files will be unzipped.
Additionally, you can also access the contents of the ZIP file from File Explorer itself. Double-click the ZIP file and you'll see its contents as if it were a folder. From there, you can copy items directly or drag them to another folder without having to extract the entire file.
Important: This solution only works with ZIP files. If you try to open a RAR or 7z file, the system won't offer this option.
What if I have a RAR or 7z file? Online options without installation
Windows, by default, is not able to handle RAR or 7z files without installing an external program. However, there are several free online tools that allow you to unzip these types of files directly from your browser, without registration or installation.
One of the most effective services is easyZipThis tool works perfectly with formats like ZIP, RAR, and 7z directly from your browser. Just drag and drop the compressed file, wait for it to load, and you'll be able to extract its contents without any complications. It's optimized to work on all operating systems. OS:windows, Mac, Linux, and even mobile phones Android o iOS, as long as you have an updated browser like Chrome, Firefox or Opera.
Another completely free option without registration is extract. meThis page also works from a browser and can open numerous formats (ZIP, RAR, 7z, and many more). Simply upload the file, wait a few seconds, and downloads the unzipped content. It also has the ability to handle password-protected files.
Both solutions are perfect if you are on someone else's computer, such as a work or college computer, and you don't want to or can't install software.
Universal Apps (UWP) to unzip files from the Microsoft Store
If you're interested in a more complete yet lightweight solution, you can use a UWP (Universal Windows Platform) app, which you download directly from the Microsoft Store. These apps They do not require traditional installation, do not interfere with other programs and update automatically..
There are a wide variety of apps designed to work with ZIP, RAR, and 7z files that stand out for being free, fast, and user-friendly:
BreeZip
One of the most complete. BreeZip is a UWP app that works with virtually all popular formats such as ZIP, RAR, 7z, TAR, GZ, etc. It lets you browse content without having to fully extract it, apply passwords, and compress new files. Its intuitive design allows you to work comfortably regardless of your experience level. It's available for free in the Microsoft Store.
NanaZip
Based directly on 7-Zip, NanaZip is a fork adapted to the modern Windows 11 environment. Integrates seamlessly into the new context menus and works with the same power and compatibility as traditional 7-Zip, but in a much more modern and secure environment. It supports protected, encrypted, and multi-volume archives.
RAR Explorer or RAR Extractor
A very simple and ad-free option. It allows you to open and decompress RAR files without complications, and even preview documents and images without having to extract them first. Ideal if you only need an app to open compressed files occasionally and don't want to bother with advanced settings.
AnyZip
Designed to handle large files, this UWP app allows extract specific parts of a file, work with RAR5, and manage files via drag and drop. It also allows you to add new items to an existing compressed file, ideal for more demanding users.
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