How to open archives on ChromeOS
A complete guide to extracting and creating ZIP, RAR, 7z, TAR and other archive formats on ChromeOS.
Overview
ChromeOS Files app handles ZIP, RAR, 7z, TAR, and GZIP natively — Google added the broad set in Chrome 88. ChromeOS treats archives as virtual folders: double-click and the contents appear as a mounted folder you can copy from.
What ChromeOS handles out of the box
- ZIP, RAR, 7z, TAR, GZIP open as virtual folders in Files
- ZIP creation via right-click → Zip selection
Recommended archivers for ChromeOS
- Linux container (Crostini) for tar.xz, tar.zst, dar, and exotic formats
- Wicked Good Unarchiver Chrome extension as a fallback
How to extract any archive
- Open the Files app
- Double-click the archive — it mounts as a virtual folder
- Copy or drag files out to extract
- Right-click the mounted archive → Eject when done
How to create an archive
- Select files in Files
- Right-click → Zip selection
- A new .zip appears in the same directory
- For other formats, install the Linux container (crostini) and use tar / 7z
Pro tips
ChromeOS does not support ZIP encryption natively — use 7-Zip in the Linux container if you need a password.
For the smallest archives, use tar -cJf (xz) inside the Linux container.
School-managed Chromebooks may have the Linux container disabled by admin policy.
Common formats on ChromeOS
The formats most people encounter on ChromeOS:
- ZIP
- RAR
- 7z
- TAR.GZ (tarball)
- TAR.XZ
- GZIP
- XZ
- DMG (Apple Disk Image)
- ISO (ISO 9660 image)
- CAB (Cabinet)
- APK (Android package)
- IPA (iOS App)