What does "extract" mean for files?

You have probably received a file archive before. These are files that have been compressed to reduce memory size. Before you can use an archived file, you have to extract it, that is, unpack it. This way you get the file back in full size. You can use various programs to extract.

Extract: What's behind the term

The word extract comes from Latin and means "to take out" or "to unpack" in German. The latter is also the common German term for the process of extracting. It involves unpacking compressed files that have been combined into an archive. These archives are created to save disk space or to combine a large number of individual files into one. This makes it easier to share the files, especially over the Internet. You can recognize a file archive by its file icon and extension. In Windows, a packed folder is usually represented by a zipper icon - alternatively, as a stack of books tied up with a ribbon. The file extension indicates which program was used to create the archive. How you can extract the file also depends on it.

How to extract different file types

1. ZIP files: Der gängigste Typ archivierter Dateien kann ohne zusätzliches Programm erstellt und extrahiert werden.
2. 7zip: Diese Dateien lassen sich nur mit dem kostenlosen Programm 7zip extrahieren. Dieses können Sie im Netz herunterladen.
3. Rar: Ein Archiv mit dieser Endung kann mit dem Programm „Winrar“ extrahiert werden. Das Programm ist ebenfalls kostenlos verfügbar.