The easiest way to split ZIP file into multiple parts on Windows is 7-Zip tool. Right-click your ZIP file then select Extract All. Next select the extracted files and right-click them. Choose 7-Zip and click Add to Archive. Set the archive format to ZIP. Type a size like 25M into the Split to volumns box. Press Ok and all will appear in the same folder.

For Mac users, the built-in Terminal app can split a ZIP file. Open the Terminal app and move it to the folder in which your files are stored. Enter zip big.zip –out parts.zip -s 25m and press Return. Terminal automatically creates parts.z01, parts.z02 and a final file named parts.zip.

Table of Contents
  1. Split ZIP File: Windows Solutions
  2. Split ZIP FIle: Mac Solution
  3. Summary
  4. FAQs

Email blocks large attachments. Online upload sites reject them too. Large ZIP files often fail to send.
You can easily fix this problem by splitting them into smaller parts. Then send each file separately. Here is how to do it quickly on Windows and Mac.

How to Split ZIP File Into Multiple Parts on Windows?

Windows has no built-in tool to split ZIP file into multiple parts. Here are 3 ways to fix this issue.

#1: Use 7-Zip

7-Zip is a free tool. You can easily divide a ZIP file for free using this. 7-Zip can split ZIP file into multiple parts that end in .zip.001 and .zip.002.

  1. Download this tool and unzip your ZIP files.
  2. Highlight the extracted files. Right-click and select 7-Zip.
  3. Go to 7-Zip then select Add to Archive. If you are on Windows 11, check under Show more options.
  4. Change the format to zip.
  5. Fill the Split to volumes, bytes box with your target size such as 25M. Then click OK.

If you want to split ZIP file contents without unzipping it, Launch 7-Zip. Then browse to the file. Look under the File menu for Split file. Name a size and click OK. You can use Combine files on the first part to rebuild the ZIP later.

#2: Use WinRAR

WinRAR can also split ZIP file into multiple parts in. Smaller parts end in .z01 and .z02 with a final .zip.

Here is how to break a ZIP file into parts using WinRAR.

  1. Extract your ZIP file. This will make sure all content is in a regular folder.
  2. Select those extracted files. Right-click and choose Add to archive. Click Show more options first on Windows 11.
  3. Set the Archive format to ZIP.
  4. Type your target file size in the Split to volumes box and select MB. Click OK.

#3: Use WinZip

WinZip can split a ZIP file into parts straight from a file you already have. It names them .z01 and .z02 and a final .zip. Download it first from its official website.

  1. Open your ZIP file inside WinZip.
  2. Go to the Settings tab. Set your desired split size.
  3. Click the Tools tab. Then choose Multi-Part Zip File.
  4. Select a location and name for the new parts. Click OK.

How to Split a Large ZIP File on Mac?

Mac includes two native Terminal options. They split files without requiring extra downloads.

#1: Terminal Method 1

Terminal lets you split a ZIP file into multiple parts. It keeps the real ZIP format. You do not need to unzip it first.

  1. Open Terminal. Type cd and a space. Then drag your folder into the window. Tap Return.
  2. Run this command with your custom file names and preferred size:
  3. zip big.zip –out parts.zip -s 25m
  4. Check your folder for parts.z01, parts.z02 and the final parts.zip.

If Mac Finder cannot expand these split pieces directly, rejoin them in Terminal using zip -s 0 parts.zip –out joined.zip and extract joined.zip instead.

#2: Terminal Method 2: Cut a ZIP Into Raw Chunks

The split command cuts any archive into equal raw data segments.

  1. Navigate to your target folder in Terminal using cd as shown above.
  2. Run this command:
    split -b 25m big.zip big.zip.part-
  3. Locate the created segments named big.zip.part-aa, big.zip.part-ab, and so on.
  4. Combine these raw pieces back into a single archive before opening by running cat big.zip.part-* > big.zip in Terminal.

(Note: If your ZIP file requires a forgotten password, software like SysTools Zip File Password Recovery Tool can recover access so you can extract or split the contents.)

Also Read: How to Password Protect a ZIP File?

Summary

You now know several ways to split ZIP file into multiple parts. Windows users can rely on tools like WinRAR or 7-Zip. Mac users can use Terminal or Finder. Follow these safety habits:

  • Store every parts in one folder.
  • Never rename a single part.
  • Test the split archive before deleting your original file.
Frequently Asked User Queries

Q. How can I split a ZIP file without losing data?
When you split a large ZIP file, it only breaks the ZIP file into smaller parts. Your file data stays the same. Make sure you store every part in one folder and don’t rename them. If you want to delete the original file, try opening or joining the parts before that.

Q. How do I open a split ZIP file?
Put all parts into the same folder. For .zip.001 parts, open the first file in 7-Zip and click Extract. Files ending with .z01 open through the .zip part in WinZip or 7-Zip. Mas users can combine the parts through Terminal first.

Q. Can I split a ZIP file without installing software?
Mac users can split ZIP file into multiple parts but Windows users need third-party tools like 7-Zip. Mac users can rely on Terminal or Finder.

Q. Do I need every part to open a split ZIP file?
Yes if you use tools like 7-Zip, WinRAR or Terminal on Mac. One missing part stops the entire extraction. Regular batch ZIPs work differently because any single archive opens entirely on its own.