How to Delete Zip Files on PC or Mac

This minHour teaches you how to permanently delete a Zip file, and remove all of its contents from your computer.

Using Windows

Open the File Explorer in a new window.

You can search File Explorer, or find it on your Start menu.

  • You can also just open any folder on your computer to open a new File Explorer window.

Locate the Zip file you want to delete.

Browse your folders in File Explorer, or use the field on the top-right corner, and find the Zip file you want to delete.

Click your Zip file in File Explorer.

This will select and highlight the Zip file.

Press ⇧ Shift+Delete on your keyboard.

This keyboard combination will permanently delete the selected Zip file without moving it to your trash folder or Recycle Bin.

  • You will have to confirm your action in a new pop-up window.
  • If you just want to move the file to Recycle Bin, press .

Click Yes in the confirmation pop-up.

This will permanently delete your Zip file, and remove it from your PC.

Using Mac

Open a new Finder window.

Click the blue smiling face icon the far-left end of your Dock to open Finder.

Find the Zip archive you want to delete.

Browse your files, or use the bar on the top-right corner of the Finder window, and open the folder that contains the Zip file you want to delete.

Right-click on the Zip file you want to delete.

This will open your right-click options on a drop-down menu.

Select Move to Trash on the right-click menu.

This will move the selected Zip file to your computer’s Trash bin.

Open your Trash folder.

Click the trash bin icon on the far-right end of your Dock to open Trash in a new window.

Right-click your Zip file in Trash.

This will open your right-click menu.

Select Delete Immediately on the right-click menu.

This will permanently delete the selected Zip file, and remove it from your Mac.

  • Alternatively, you can select Empty Trash on the right-click menu here to delete everything in your Trash.

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