Uploading or opening a ZIP archive

When you upload a ZIP, Files stops and asks what you want to do with it — because the three ways have different consequences:

• «Upload as file» — the archive stays closed as it is. Right when you have to pass it on to someone exactly like that.
• «Extract here» — the real files end up inside, in the folder you are in.
• «Extract into new folder» — the same, but all inside a new folder, without mixing with what was there.

⚠️ When in doubt, extract: a closed archive cannot be searched, cannot be previewed and cannot be commented on. It becomes a black box inside the archive.

A ZIP already uploaded

If you notice afterwards: right-click on the archive → «Extract archive» (it is in the main menu, not in a submenu). It asks again whether to extract there or in a new folder.

Downloading many things at once

The other way round, to take many files away in one go:

1. Select the files — click the first and then the others holding Ctrl (on a Mac Cmd), or Ctrl+A to take them all.
2. Right-click on the selection and choose «Create ZIP in current folder».

It works on a whole folder too, without selecting anything inside.

Questions this guide answers

• how do I upload a zip
• how do I extract an archive
• I uploaded a zip and I only see the file
• how do I download a whole folder at once
• extract archive
• upload as file or extract
• create ZIP in the current folder
• download several files at once
• zip a folder