Inspect and extract ZIP files without uploading them
A browser ZIP manager reads an archive’s directory so you can inspect its contents before choosing what to extract. The file tree groups nested paths under expandable folders and shows each file’s declared uncompressed size, compressed size, and percentage saved. An archive can contain files that do not compress well, so a negative saving is possible. Select Download file to inflate one entry without decompressing every other item. This is useful when you need one document from a larger collection, although the browser still needs to read the supplied archive into memory.
Supported image previews include PNG, JPEG, WebP, and SVG. Text previews cover TXT, JSON, CSV, Markdown, JavaScript, and HTML, with lightweight token highlighting rather than executable rendering. HTML and scripts are displayed as escaped text, while SVG uses the browser’s image context. Preview limits are lower than extraction limits to keep the interface responsive: text is limited to 512 KB and images to 5 MB. Closing a preview releases its object URL. Downloading an unfamiliar file does not make it safe to execute; this tool is not an antivirus scanner or document trust service.
Create archives, preserve folders, and choose compression
Use Create New ZIP Archive to add multiple files, choose a folder, or drop a folder from your desktop where the browser exposes directory entries. Relative paths preserve the hierarchy inside the archive, and duplicate paths are rejected rather than silently overwriting another input. Store level zero packages the data without compression. Standard Deflate level six balances processing effort and typical savings, while maximum level nine may require more time for little additional reduction. Already compressed media often changes little. Compression and extraction run in a worker so the interface can remain available for cancellation.
Extract All as Uncompressed Files writes real files rather than making another ZIP. When directory access is available, choose a destination and the tool creates a new subfolder containing the archive hierarchy. Otherwise it requests individual downloads with numbered, flattened names; browser multiple-download controls can interrupt that fallback. Limits are 100 MB for ZIP input, 500 MB of expanded data, 200 MB of creation inputs, and 5,000 entries. Metadata checks and emitted-byte limits reduce resource risks but cannot promise compatibility with every archive. Encrypted, malformed, and unsupported ZIP variants can fail with a visible error.
Quick reference comparison
| Archive format | Compression algorithm | OS support | Best use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP | Store or Deflate here | Widely supported | Sharing files and folders |
| TAR | None by itself | Common on Unix; tools elsewhere | Unix-style archiving |
| GZ | Deflate stream | Broad utility support | Compressing one stream, often TAR |
| 7Z | Commonly LZMA/LZMA2 | Compatible utility required | High-compression archives |
How to use ZIP Archive Creator & Extractor
1. Choose your input
Choose Extract & Inspect ZIP and select an archive, or switch to Create New ZIP Archive and add files or a folder. Review the displayed limits before loading a large collection.
2. Inspect the result
Expand folders to inspect entries, preview supported content, or download one file. In creation mode, select Store, Standard, or Maximum compression and enter the desired output archive name.
3. Apply or compare
Download the created ZIP or extract all files to a new destination subfolder where supported. In fallback mode, allow multiple downloads and check that all expected files arrived before closing the page.
Key features and technical specifications
Interactive local interface
The browser updates controls and results without uploading your files. Network probes contact the chosen endpoint only when started.
Explicit boundaries
Visible limits and explanations distinguish computed representations, extracted content, and network observations from guarantees.
Use the result with its limits in mind
Compare results using consistent settings, and check the relevant limitations before applying them in another environment.
Inspect before applying
Use previews, reference values, and contextual labels to understand the result before saving it or changing another system.
Compare alternatives
Change one setting at a time and keep the conditions comparable so the difference has a clear interpretation.
Frequently asked questions
Can this tool open password-protected ZIP files?
No. This version does not request or handle archive passwords. Encrypted archives are rejected by the ZIP reader. Use a compatible local archive application when password support, unusual compression methods, or specialized ZIP variants are required.
Are archive contents uploaded?
No. The archive, staged files, previews, and compression operations remain in browser memory. Worker code is part of the application download; it does not send file data to a processing service. Refreshing the page clears the in-memory work.
Why can a small ZIP exceed the memory limit?
Compressed size and expanded size are different. Repeated data can shrink dramatically, so a small input may declare or produce hundreds of megabytes after extraction. The tool checks declared sizes and actual emitted bytes, but smaller archives are still preferable on memory-constrained devices.
Does Extract All preserve folders?
It preserves the hierarchy when the browser supports selecting and writing to a local directory. The fallback requests separate downloads with flattened, numbered names to avoid collisions. Browser download restrictions may require you to allow multiple files or use individual Download file buttons.
Does maximum compression always make the smallest useful result?
It can improve Deflate savings on some inputs, but the difference may be small for JPEG, video, or already compressed data. Store mode avoids compression work. Compare the actual output and choose the setting that fits your available time and device resources.