Q: How to Unzip a file

A: We like using 7-Zip

Many of the files on ConstructionOfficeOnline.com are in zip format which allows us to:

  1. Reduce the file size and speed up downloading.
  2. Package multiple files into one download.

You’ll need to decompress or “Unzip” the files before using them.

Here are some simple instructions ford different utilities

7-Zip:

  1. Right-Click on the file ( i.e.  schedules.zip )
  2. Click on 7-Zip in the menu
  3. In the sub menu, select the option you desire (we recommend selecting Extract to [filename] where the filename is the name of the file you are unzipping )
  4. This will create a folder in same location as the .zip file with the name of the file as the folder name.
  5. NOTE:  We recommend using your Desktop or your default “Downloads” folder as a temporary location for files like these..
  6. Once the extraction is complete, you can browse to the folder and access your file(s).

Windows “Extract” default (right-click menu):

Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 provide a function by default that will allow you to open compressed files.  
This may not work if other compression software is installed on your computer like WinRAR.

  1. Right-Click on the file ( i.e.  schedules.zip )
  2. Click on Extract All…
  3. Enter the location of where you would like to save the file (We recommend using your Desktop or Windows Default)
  4. Click Extract and wait for the process to complete.
  5. By default, a window will open when the extraction is finished.  Inside, you’ll see your file(s).

WinZip:

  1. Double-click on the Zip file.
  2. It should expand automatically.
  3. A file or folder with the same name (without the Zip) should appear.
  4. Drag the contents of the Zip file to the desktop (or another location). When you do this, you will be copying the information from the Zip file to the computer. This will be your working copy of the data from the Zip file.
  5. Close the Zip file window. You may keep the Zip file or delete it.

 Programs for file compression:

  • 7-Zip – This is a free utility and works fine: www.7-zip.org (Recommended)
  • Winzip – This is a free utility and works fine: www.winzip.com

We recommended using 7-Zip.