How to View ZIP files in Google Drive

Google Drive currently doesn’t have any preinstalled tools to handle zipped files. This means you cannot view, zip, or unzip files within Drive. But you can do so after you have zipped the files from Google Drive on your system. There are multiple tools that can help you with zipping and Unzip files.

When you download any large number of files together on Google Drive, it will automatically create a Zip file. However, when it comes to opening the same Zip file on Google Drive, that might never happen. So, the best way to go from here is simply to follow the guide we have created to use other third-party apps and tools for the same.

Here is a list of methods you can try to view Zip Files in Google Drive.

How to View Zip Files in Google Drive?

We need to use an app called ZIP Extractor, available on Google Workspace Marketplace. Refer to the steps given below to see how to do that. 

  • Open your PC or laptop and load your preferred browser. 
  • Head over to this site to download ZIP Extractor from the Google Marketplace. 
  • Click on Install. Select Continue when you’re asked for permission to start installing the application.
View Zip Files in Google Drive
View Zip Files in Google Drive
  • Choose the account you want to connect the app to, and make sure you check the See, edit, create, and delete only the specific Google Drive files you use with this app and the Connect itself to your Drive option. 
  • Subsequently, you can also head over to the Google Drive website at drive.google.com. 
  • Enter your details to access the Drive. 
  • Once you’re logged in, click on the New button on the top of the left side menu. 
  • Click on More from the menu and select Connect more apps.
How to View ZIP files in Google Drive
  • The Google Workspace Marketplace will open up where you can search for ZIP Extractor in the search bar and connect it to your Drive directly. 
Can Google files open ZIP files
How to View Zip Files in Google Drive
  • Once you’ve got the app installed and connected with your Drive, select the ZIP file you want to view and draw out the contextual menu by right-clicking on it.
  • Click on Open With from the contextual menu and choose ZIP extractor.
  • Click on Extract, and the app will extract all the files in a new folder within the current folder. ZIP Extractor also supports RAR, 7z, ZIP, and TAR formats.  
  • After extracting the files, click on View files to go to the destination where the files have been extracted.

ZIP Extractor is an easy-to-use software and hardly takes minutes to install on your Drive. Furthermore, make sure you choose the right tool directly from the marketplace.

Read How to Rename Multiple Files On Google Drive

Using CloudConvert to View ZIP Files in Google Drive

The other app you can use to view and work with ZIP files is CloudConvert. Refer to the steps given below to see how to use it. 

  • Open your laptop or PC and load your preferred browser. 
  • Go to this site to download CloudConvert, and click on Install.
  • A new pop-up will be displayed asking for your permission to install the app; click on Continue when you see it. 
  • A new browser window will open up where you can choose the Google Account you want to use. 
  • After that, click on Allow when you’re asked for permissions to access your Drive. 
  • Subsequently, you can also install this directly from your Drive. Head over to the Google Drive website at drive.google.com. 
  • Enter your details to access the Drive. 
  • Once you’re logged in, click on the New button on the left side menu. 
  • Click on More and select Connect more apps. 
  • The Google Workspace Marketplace will open up where you can search for CloudConvert in the search bar and connect it to your Drive directly.
Do zip files work in Google Drive
  • Once the app is installed and connected with your Drive, select the file you want to view or extract and draw out the contextual menu by right-clicking on it. 
  • Select Open With from the menu and click on CloudConvert. 
  • Now you can select which format you want to convert the ZIP file and press Convert. 

The extracted files will be saved on your Drive, where you can view and work on them. As we had already mentioned Google Drive may not have already installed function for this, but you can choose an add-on software that can be used on the cloud storage platform itself.

Read How to Share Large Video Files Using Google Drive

Is There Any Other Way a ZIP File Can be Extracted Without Installing Additional Applications?

Suppose you do not want to install add-ons, extensions, or connect apps to your Google Drive. You can use a more rudimentary way to go about doing this. Read the steps given below to see how to do that. 

  • Open your laptop or PC and load up your preferred browser. 
  • Head over to the Google Drive website at drive.google.com
  • Enter your details to access the Drive. 
  • Once you’re logged in, select the ZIP file you want and draw out the contextual menu by right-clicking on it. 
  • Click on Download and wait till the file gets downloaded. 
  • Head over to any online converter you want; we recommend https://unzip.online/
  • Go to the website and upload the ZIP file you downloaded. 
  • Wait for a few seconds or minutes till the file is uploaded and extracted. 
  • Once it is extracted, you will be able to view, browse and download the files within the archive. 

Read How to List Files in a Folder and Subfolder on Google Drive

Conclusion

As you can see, there are various methods you can extract, view, and work with ZIP files on your Google Drive. If you do not want to let other apps access your Drive, you should use the online converter method. However, if you don’t have any such restrictions, you can use CloudConvert or ZIP Extractor to work with ZIP files directly in your Drive.

These are tried and tested apps that we have already worked with and are safe to use. So, you can also work with them since are available directly on the Google Workspace Marketplace itself.

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