This article reviews advances in microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) in solid sample pretreatment (e.g., of soil, sediments, biological materials, food) achieved since 2000. Microwave energy is used for fast and controlled heating of solvents for selective extraction of various substances, such as organic compounds and metal ions, from solid matrices. Two types of MAE, in closed- and open-vessel systems, are presented and compared. Advantages and drawbacks of MAE are discussed.