Stop the zip-in-zip nightmare. Extract nested archives with one command.
Before Unfolder:
- Extract archive A
- Find archive B inside
- Extract archive B
- Find archive C inside
- Repeat forever... 😫
With Unfolder:
- Run one command
- Select folder (or specify path)
- Done! ✅
Unfolder automatically extracts nested archives of any depth. Got a ZIP inside a ZIP inside a ZIP? Unfolder handles it all automatically.
Perfect for:
- Google Takeout exports
- Nested backup archives
- Bulk data downloads
- Any "zip hell" situation
| Format | Extension | Support Type |
|---|---|---|
| ZIP | .zip |
✅ Built-in (no deps) |
| TAR | .tar, .tar.gz, .tgz, .tar.bz2 |
✅ Built-in (no deps) |
| RAR | .rar |
✅ Optional (rarfile) |
| 7-Zip | .7z |
✅ Optional (py7zr) |
| GZIP | .gz |
✅ Built-in (no deps) |
| BZIP2 | .bz2 |
✅ Built-in (no deps) |
# Interactive mode (with GUI folder selection when available):
python unfolder.py
# Direct mode (perfect for scripting):
python unfolder.py /path/to/archives
# Preview what will be extracted:
python unfolder.py /path/to/archives --dry-run
# With deletion (archives deleted AFTER all extraction completes):
python unfolder.py /path/to/archives --delete
# Flat extraction (extract all as siblings):
python unfolder.py /path/to/archives --flat# For Windows users who prefer native 7-Zip:
.\unzipper.ps1Requires: 7-Zip installed (free download from 7-zip.org)
NEW: Python version will automatically offer to use PowerShell script if Windows long paths are disabled!
python unfolder.py [folder] [options]
Arguments:
folder Path to archive folder (optional - will ask if not provided)
Options:
--delete, -d Delete archives after successful extraction (at end)
--no-delete Keep archives after extraction (default)
--dry-run Preview what will be extracted without extracting
--preview Same as --dry-run
--nested Extract nested archives in-place - maintains hierarchy (default)
--hierarchy Same as --nested
--flat Extract all archives as siblings (alternative mode)
--help, -h Show this help message
--version, -v Show version information- Archives are now deleted only after ALL extraction rounds complete
- Prevents data loss if the process is interrupted
- Clear status reporting of what was deleted
- Failed extractions are automatically cleaned up
- Partial files removed if extraction fails
- No more mysterious half-extracted folders
- Preview what will be extracted before running
- See file sizes, paths, and structure
- Perfect for large operations:
--dry-run
- Automatically detects Windows long path status
- Offers PowerShell fallback if long paths disabled
- Clear instructions for enabling long path support
- Seamless integration between Python and PowerShell versions
- Nested mode (default): Maintain archive hierarchy, extract in-place
- Flat mode (
--flat): Extract all archives as siblings - Choose the structure that works for your use case
For full format support (RAR, 7Z), install optional dependencies:
pip install py7zr rarfileOr install from requirements file:
pip install -r requirements.txtWithout these, Unfolder still works perfectly with ZIP, TAR, GZ, and BZ2 formats.
- Download the Unfolder package
- Extract to any folder
- Run:
python unfolder.py
git clone https://github.com/your-repo/unfolder.git
cd unfolder
python unfolder.pypip install -r requirements.txtNote: Unfolder works perfectly with just ZIP/TAR formats without additional packages.
- Speed: Processes ~50MB/s on modern hardware
- Memory: Uses minimal RAM (streaming extraction)
- Scalability: Handles thousands of nested archives
- Long Paths: Smart Windows long path detection and fallback
- Cross-Platform: Optimized for Windows, macOS, and Linux
takeout.zip
├── Drive.zip
│ ├── documents.zip
│ └── photos.zip
│ ├── 2021.zip
│ └── 2022.zip
Unfolder extracts everything automatically
- Extract complex backup structures
- Maintain folder organization
- Clean up original archives safely
- Process downloaded datasets
- Handle nested compressed files
- Preview before extracting with
--dry-run
- Automated backup extraction
- Log archive processing
- Batch data processing with error recovery
- 100% Offline: No internet connection required
- Local Processing: Your files never leave your computer
- No Telemetry: We don't track or collect data
- Simple Code: Full transparency in implementation
- Open Source: Review the code yourself
- Python 3.7+ (most systems have this)
- Memory: 512MB RAM
- Storage: 10MB free space
- OS: Windows 7+, macOS 10.12+, or modern Linux
- Memory: 2GB+ RAM
- Storage: 50MB+ free space
- Processor: Any modern CPU
- Optional: 7-Zip (for Windows PowerShell version)
- Smart Extraction: Handles unlimited nesting depth
- Format Detection: Automatically identifies archive types
- Error Recovery: Skips corrupted files, continues extraction
- Automatic Cleanup: Removes partial extractions on failure
- Progress Tracking: See exactly what's being extracted
- Performance Stats: Speed, timing, and size reporting
- Safe Deletion: Delete archives only after ALL extraction completes
- Dry-Run Preview: See what will happen before running
- Cross-Platform: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Long Path Support: Smart detection and PowerShell fallback
- GUI Fallback: Uses system dialogs when available
- Flexible Modes: Nested (default) or flat extraction structures
Q: Does this require an internet connection? A: No! Unfolder runs 100% offline. Your files never leave your computer.
Q: What's the difference from free tools like 7-Zip? A: 7-Zip requires you to manually extract each nested archive. Unfolder does it all automatically with one command.
Q: Will this work on my Mac/Linux? A: Yes! Unfolder works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. We even include a native Windows PowerShell version.
Q: Do I need to install anything? A: Just Python 3.7+. Optional libraries (py7zr, rarfile) add RAR/7Z support but aren't required.
Q: How fast is it? A: Approximately 50MB/s on modern hardware, with real-time progress reporting and performance statistics.
Q: Can it handle thousands of files? A: Yes! Unfolder is designed for scalability and can process thousands of nested archives efficiently.
Q: What if an archive is corrupted? A: Unfolder skips corrupted files, cleans up partial extractions, and continues processing the rest.
Q: What about Windows long path issues? A: Unfolder detects long path status and offers to use the PowerShell/7-Zip version if needed. You can also enable long paths system-wide (instructions provided).
Q: When are archives deleted? A: Only AFTER all extraction rounds complete successfully. This prevents data loss if interrupted.
Q: Can I preview before extracting?
A: Yes! Use --dry-run to see exactly what will be extracted without actually extracting anything.
If Unfolder saved you from zip-in-zip hell, consider buying me a coffee!
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.
What this means:
- ✅ Free to use for personal and commercial purposes
- ✅ Free to modify and adapt to your needs
- ✅ Free to distribute with your projects
- ✅ No warranty - use at your own risk
- ✅ Open source - review and contribute to the code
Perfect for both personal projects and commercial applications.
- ✨ Added dry-run/preview mode
- 🛡️ Archives now deleted only after ALL extraction completes (safer)
- 🧹 Automatic cleanup of failed extractions
- 🪟 Smart Windows long path detection with PowerShell fallback
- 📁 Added nested vs flat extraction modes
- 📊 Improved statistics and error reporting
- 🎯 Better command-line argument handling
- Initial public release
- Support for ZIP, RAR, 7Z, TAR, GZ, BZ2
- Recursive extraction
- Optional deletion
- Cross-platform support
📂 Unfolder - Finally, nested archives made simple.
Stop wrestling with nested archives. Start unfolding your files with one command.