Unzipping one file is easy—just right-click and choose “Extract All.” But what if you have dozens of ZIP files sitting in a folder and you don’t want to unzip them one by one? Don’t worry—you can unzip multiple folders at once in Windows 11, and this guide will show you exactly how to do it using built-in tools and third-party software.
By the end of this article, you’ll know multiple ways to bulk-unzip files—saving time and effort.
Why You Might Want to Unzip Multiple Folders at Once
Dealing with multiple ZIP files is common when:
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Downloading project files, images, or datasets in bulk.
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Extracting backup archives.
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Receiving multiple compressed files via email or file-sharing platforms.
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Organizing downloaded assets for games, music, or work.
Doing this manually for each file is time-consuming—so automating the process is the way to go.
Method 1: Unzip Multiple Folders Using File Explorer and Select-All
Windows 11’s File Explorer can extract multiple ZIPs if you do them one after another quickly.
Steps:
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Open the folder where all your ZIP files are stored.
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Press Ctrl + A to select all ZIP files, or hold Ctrl and click only the ones you want to extract.
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Right-click the selection and choose Extract All.
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Choose a destination folder and click Extract.
⚠️ Limitation: This will extract all files into the same destination folder, which can get messy if ZIPs contain files with the same name.
Method 2: Use PowerShell to Bulk Extract ZIP Files
PowerShell is a built-in tool in Windows 11 that lets you unzip files with a simple script.
Steps:
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Press Windows + S, type PowerShell, and choose Run as Administrator.
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Navigate to the folder containing your ZIP files by typing:
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Run this command to extract all ZIP files to individual folders:
This will create a folder for each ZIP file and extract its contents there—keeping things organized.
Method 3: Use Command Prompt with a Batch Script
If you prefer Command Prompt, you can use a batch file to extract everything automatically.
Steps:
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Open Notepad.
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Paste the following code:
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Save the file as UnzipAll.bat inside the folder containing your ZIP files.
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Double-click the batch file.
It will extract all ZIP files into folders named after each archive.
Method 4: Use 7-Zip (Free Third-Party Tool)
7-Zip is one of the most popular free tools for handling compressed files—and it can bulk-extract ZIPs easily.
Steps:
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Go to the folder containing your ZIP files.
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Select all ZIP files (Ctrl + A).
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Right-click the selection, hover over 7-Zip, and choose:
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Extract to “*” → Creates a separate folder for each ZIP file.
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Extract Here → Extracts everything into the same folder.
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This is one of the fastest and easiest ways to handle multiple archives.
Method 5: Use WinRAR (If Installed)
If you already have WinRAR, you can use it to batch extract files too.
Steps:
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Select all the ZIP files in the folder.
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Right-click the selection and choose Extract each archive to separate folder.
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Wait while WinRAR unzips everything automatically.
Method 6: Use a Dedicated Bulk Extraction Tool
If you frequently work with multiple archives, you can use tools designed for batch extraction, such as:
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PeaZip – Open-source and supports batch extraction with filters.
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Bandizip – Lightweight and allows parallel extraction for speed.
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ExtractNow – Simple tool that focuses entirely on bulk extraction.
These tools are great if you want more control, like automatically deleting archives after extraction.
Troubleshooting: What to Do if Extraction Fails
If a file refuses to extract, try these fixes:
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Check File Integrity: The ZIP file may be corrupted. Re-download it if possible.
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Run as Administrator: Some folders require admin rights to write files.
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Free Up Space: Make sure you have enough storage for extracted files.
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Update Extraction Tool: If you use 7-Zip or WinRAR, install the latest version.
Tips for Managing Bulk-Extracted Files
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Use Separate Folders: Avoid overwriting files by extracting each ZIP into its own folder.
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Rename ZIP Files Before Extraction: Helps keep track of what’s inside.
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Sort ZIP Files by Size or Date: Makes it easier to prioritize important ones first.
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Delete ZIP Files After Extraction: Frees up space on your drive.
Conclusion
Unzipping multiple folders at once in Windows 11 doesn’t have to be a pain. You can use File Explorer for quick extraction, PowerShell or batch scripts for automation, or 7-Zip/WinRAR for fast and organized results.
If you handle multiple ZIP files regularly, third-party tools like 7-Zip or ExtractNow can save you time and keep your files organized.
FAQs
Q1: Can I unzip multiple folders into separate folders automatically?
A: Yes, use PowerShell, a batch script, or 7-Zip’s Extract to “*” option.
Q2: Do I need admin rights to bulk extract ZIP files?
A: Only if you are extracting to a protected system folder (like C:\Program Files).
Q3: Can I use Windows built-in tools for batch unzipping?
A: Yes, but it’s limited. PowerShell works best for automating multiple extractions.
Q4: Will unzipping multiple files at once slow down my PC?
A: It may temporarily use CPU and disk resources, but it’s usually not a problem unless the files are huge.
Q5: Can I bulk extract password-protected ZIP files?
A: Yes, but you’ll need to enter the password for each file manually unless you use a tool like WinRAR that supports batch extraction with stored passwords.