How to extract zip files in Linux

Zip archives bundle multiple files and directories into a single compressed file, making downloads, backups, and transfers more efficient on Linux systems. Extracting these archives restores the original layout so configuration files, logs, and application payloads become usable again.

On most Linux distributions, the unzip utility reads .zip metadata, recreates directory hierarchies, and writes decompressed data to the chosen destination. File permissions, relative paths, and timestamps are preserved where possible, so extracted content behaves similarly to the source tree that was archived.

Extraction should account for target locations such as /home, /opt, or shared mounts, as insufficient permissions or unexpected overwrite prompts can interrupt the process. Archives may also contain many files or password-protected entries, so previewing contents and controlling overwrite behavior reduces the risk of clutter, data loss, or accidental extraction into sensitive directories.

1. Open a terminal on Linux.
2. Change directory to the location of the .zip archive.

   $ cd /path/to/directory/
   $ ls
   output_filename.zip

   Replace /path/to/directory with the path that contains the .zip file.

3. List the contents of the .zip archive without extracting.

   $ unzip -l output_filename.zip
   Archive:  output_filename.zip
     Length      Date    Time    Name
   ---------  ---------- -----   ----
        123  2024-09-14 12:00   file1.txt
        456  2024-09-14 12:00   folder1/file2.txt
   ---------                     -------
        579                     2 files

   The -l option shows file names and sizes so the archive can be inspected before extraction.

4. Extract the .zip archive into the current directory.

   $ unzip output_filename.zip
   Archive:  output_filename.zip
     inflating: file1.txt
     inflating: folder1/file2.txt

   Replace output_filename.zip with the actual archive name to unpack its contents.

5. Extract the .zip archive into a specific directory.

   $ unzip output_filename.zip -d /path/to/extract/
   Archive:  output_filename.zip
     inflating: /path/to/extract/file1.txt
     inflating: /path/to/extract/folder1/file2.txt

   Replace /path/to/extract with the desired target directory for the extracted files.

6. Extract files without overwriting existing ones.

   $ unzip -n output_filename.zip
   Archive:  output_filename.zip
   caution:  file1.txt exists, skipping.
   caution:  folder1/file2.txt exists, skipping.

   The -n option skips files that already exist, which protects newer local copies from being replaced.

7. Extract a password-protected .zip archive interactively.

   $ unzip secret_archive.zip
   Archive:  secret_archive.zip
   [secret_archive.zip] secret.txt password:
     inflating: secret.txt

   Passing passwords with the -P option exposes them in shell history and process listings; interactive prompts keep the password hidden.

8. Verify that the files were extracted into the target directory.

   $ ls -lh /path/to/extract/
   total 4.0K
   -rw-r--r-- 1 user user 1.2K Sep 14 12:00 file1.txt
   drwxr-xr-x 2 user user 4.0K Sep 14 12:00 folder1

   The presence of the expected files and directories confirms a successful extraction.