How to unzip files in Google Drive

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In this tutorial, we will see how to unzip files in Google Drive using different methods easily. Google Drive has evolved a lot over the years. From tiny PNGs to large video files, we manage different documents on Google Drive storage. You can easily store small files like images, gifs, Word documents, etc. in Google Drive. Let’s explore different ways to unzip files in Google Drive.

Case-1: On a PC

Method 1: Brute force method – Downloading and unzipping

There is no direct mechanism to unzip files within Google Drive directly. But you can download it and unzip it using external zip tools within your machine.

Just follow the below steps to unzip files in Google Drive.

Steps in unzipping files in Google Drive:

1. Select the file(s) you have to unzip.

2. Right-click on them and select the Download option.

Unzip files in Google Drive

3. The file(s) will be downloaded to your local machine storage. Click on the downloaded zip folder.

4. Right-click on it and select Unzip. You can choose the location to unzip (or) leave it to the default location.

Google Drive Unzip files

Disadvantage:

However, this method is really complex and time-consuming. It requires manually downloading and then unzipping. It’s not a feasible solution when the numbers are high since it takes too much of your time.

Method 2: Using a zip extractor extension

ZIP Extractor is a simple Chrome extension that extracts files from a ZIP archive within Google Drive. It can be an invaluable time-saver if you deal with many cloud documents and want to bypass the inconvenience of unzipping.

Steps to unzip files in Google Drive using Zip extractor extension:

Follow the steps below to unzip files in Google Drive without downloading them using a zip extractor extension.

1. Download and install the zip extractor Chrome extension from the Chrome web store

2. Open Google Drive on your PC/mobile explorer

3. Select the file and right-click to open it with the ZIP Extractor for ZIP files stored in Drive.

Note: When you first use the extension, you will be asked to authorize ZIP Extractor to access Google Drive.

4. You will be given the option to select the files to extract.

Note: By default, all files are selected.

5. Select the files needed to be unzipped

6. Choose Extract Now to extract into a new folder inside the current folder. You can change the destination folder.

7. The extracted file is saved in a folder with the same name as the ZIP file.

how to Unzip files in Google Drive

After extraction, click “View Files” to go to the unzipped files in Google Drive.

Method 3: Using “Sync with cloud.”

Syncing the local folder with the cloud is one of the easiest ways to deal with zip operations.

Sync all downloaded files to Drive on Windows.

To unzip files, sync all downloaded files to Drive on Windows by following the steps below.

1. Download and install Drive File Stream.

2. On your computer, go to your Downloads folder

3. Click Drive File Stream.

4. Click Open Google Drive.

5. Drag the Downloads folder into a Google Drive folder.

6. Open Chrome browser.

7. In the top-right corner, click More > Settings.

8. Click Advanced and go to Downloads.

9. Click Change, and in the pop-up, navigate to the Downloads folder that you dragged to your Google Drive folder and click Select. This selection will now be your default download location.

Sync all downloaded files to Drive on Mac.

  1. Open Finder and navigate to Macintosh HD > Users > your user name on your Mac.
  2. Drag the Downloads folder into a Google Drive folder.
  3. Open Chrome and click More: > Settings.
  4. Click Show Advanced Settings and go to Downloads.
  5. Click Change, and in the pop-up, navigate to the Downloads folder you dragged to your Google Drive folder and click Select. This selection will become your default download location.
    Note: If Drive File Stream is not running, files are saved to a different location.

If you are syncing folders on your device/computer to your cloud, you could use that device/computer to zip up the data inside a folder on that device/computer using one of the various zip apps (Windows, Winzip, etc.). The data would then be synced to your cloud.

Case-2: On iPad

Follow the below steps.

  1. The first step is to locate the Files app and launch it.
  2. Now, you need to search for the name of the Zip file you want to unzip (The file will be in the “Archive” if you have already created it on a Mac and you didn’t rename it)
  3. You have to click on the zip file.
  4. The next step is to tap “Preview Content.”
  5. Next, find the file you want to extract and tap the icon, which looks like an arrow inside a box and is at the top corner of your iPad screen.
  6. Finally, tap “Save to Files” at the bottom of the popup window.
  7. Now, it will ask you to save the file in a particular location and then click on “Add.” The file will be unzipped and saved on your iPad; you can open it now without any issues.

FAQs

Can you unzip files in Google Drive

Yes, you can use a zip extractor.

You may like the following Google Drive tutorials:

Cool, right? Thus, we have seen different methods for unzipping files in Google Drive. Choose your feasible method and get your job done.