Zip files are an efficient way to compress files and make them more manageable to send or upload. If you have a group of files that you want to send or upload together, creating a zip file can make the process easier and faster. In this Windows basics tutorial, we will show you how to create zip files, compress them, add files to them, and suggest a tool that adds more functionality to this process.
To create a zip file, select all the items you want to be compressed in the zip folder, right-click on them, and select the option to send them to a compressed zip folder. This will begin the compression process and create a folder in the same directory that you had those files in. You can name the zip folder anything you like.
When dealing with large files, a zip file can shave off even a couple 50 to 100 megabytes depending on the type of compression used. You can also create a zip file from a folder by selecting all the files you want to put into a zip folder, clicking on share, and selecting the option to share them to a compressed folder.
It’s important to note that you cannot edit items directly in a zip folder. If you open a file from a zip folder and make changes, it will move to a temporary directory on the computer out of the zip file. You cannot directly save or edit items that are in zip folders, but you can delete files or update them in the way described above.
While the Microsoft zip system is good, 7-zip provides more functionality. It allows you to add tighter compression, open a wide variety of other formats, and decompress/recompress files. In addition, you can send it directly to an email.
In conclusion, zip files are a useful tool in managing files on Windows. They make it easier to send or upload many files at once, and they can save space in the process. While the Microsoft zip system is sufficient, 7-zip provides more functionality and is worth considering. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below.