Perhaps you would like to know how to compress a file or folder to save storage space on your computer, distribute many files at once, or use huge files in a project.
If you know how ZIP files are created, you can save space, shorten upload times and provide things faster. In this article, you can also learn more about its importance and popularity worldwide.
What is a ZIP file?
A file with the ZIP file extension is a compressed file and the most frequently used archive format. This format, like others, is essentially a collection of one or more files or folders that are compressed for more effortless transmission and compression in a single file.
It is still the same file. The only difference here is that it is packed so that it takes up less space. Smaller files can be shipped more easily by email and online storage (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, etc.). Therefore, it is common to compress everything into a ZIP file and is used in many situations.
Showing the content of a .zip file is similar to receiving a package: the freight has arrived, but you have to open the box and remove the content. Software developers often use .zip files to offer install packages and updates by direct download.
How can I compress a folder?
The creation of the ZIP files with Windows PC/MAC is much easier. Here you do not need third-party options to create a ZIP file. You can track the creation of the ZIP file using the integrated functions with Windows and Mac. You only have to follow a few steps and are ready with the creation of your ZIP file.
Creating ZIP files is also much easier with the smartphone. You just have to download the RAR application from the Google Play Store, and that's it. Now you can easily convert any file or folder with this application. This will definitely solve your problem of how to compress a folder!
Create a ZIP file in Windows
Are you thinking about compressing a file in Windows? It is easy to create a ZIP file for Windows systems. You have to carry out the following steps and execute some processes with the folder as follows:
- Select the files from the folder you want to add to the ZIP file.
- Now right-click on the selected files. You can see a broadcast option there, so move the mouse pointer to this option.
- Choose the "Compressed (Giezipte) folder" option.
- Restore the name according to your wishes and then press the enter key.
Then you successfully created the ZIP file in Windows. Suppose you want to add further files to this ZIP folder, then you can easily do this using drag & drop.
Create a ZIP file in macOS
The instructions for creating a ZIP file under MacOS are as follows:
1. Find the files or folders you want to compress. You can either add files to a certain folder in advance or use the command button to select the objects individually. Select the files you want to compress while holding the button down.
2. Use the Ctrl key pressed, and click the file (s) or the folder you want to open. On a Mac, a control click is the same as a right-click in Windows.
3. Select the context menu. If you compress more than one thing, this is mentioned, for example, Compress 3 Items. However, if you zip a single element, the newly tapped folder has the same name as before, but with the extension .zip. If you compress more than once, it is automatically referred to as an archive.zip.
If you want to add more files on the Mac, you cannot do drag & drop here, and you only have one option-creating a new .zip file.
How can I compress a folder under Linux?
Linux is used in most software companies. So there are several ways to compress a folder in Linux. But here we will explain the method of the graphic user interface (GUI). Follow the following steps:
- Just go to the desired files or folders that you want to compress
- Select them with your mouse and the 'Ctrl' button.
- Right-click one of these files and you can easily see an option for compression.
- Click it.
- You must give this archive file a name and then click on "Create".
- You will soon see your compressed archive. The archive size is much smaller than the total size of its content.
Here you can also select one of the other methods from .tar, .xz, and .7z.
Create zip files on iPhone and iPad
You may have to release large files or several files from the iPhone. You can also zip the files with your iPhone. After that, the files need less space and time to be transferred. You can easily create the ZIP files on your iPhone or iPad by taking the following steps:
- Open the file options. Select the location of the files from the iPhone or iCloud driver.
- Tap the "More" button. Then tap the "Select" option. You can select one or more files.
- Now click the more button again and select the compression option at the bottom right.
Assuming that you have only selected one file for compression, then the file is automatically saved under this name. If you have selected several files for compression, you will be saved as an archive.zip. You can hold down the ZIP archive option and touch to change the name of such a file. Find the renovation option and name it after your choice.
Create a ZIP file on the Android
The majority of the earth's population uses an Android device as a daily mobile device. So you have to create a ZIP file. You can do this in several ways.
First, you can compress any file or folder with your integrated file app or use third-party apps such as rare, archiver, and many more. Here we guide you through the process of the option for integrated files:
- Go to the file manager app of your system
- Go to the desired folder you want to compress
- Tap the "More" option.
- Tap compression
- You must then select the desired output folder
- Name this file and click on the button with the check mark
- Your filling is saved in this folder.
You can simply rename this folder and share it with friends, family, or colleagues.
Alternatives from third-party providers to compress your file
If you are looking for extended options to compress and unpack your files, you have to choose software from third-party providers. To do this, you have to install one of the software listed below.
Winzip
Winzip is a ZIP utility that can quickly compress and decompress files. It enables you to compress large files and unpack all important file formats such as ZIP, Gzip, Tar, Rar, CAB, etc. It can be linked to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, email, and other services. You can also protect your files with a password. The encryption used by Winzip is one of the safest compared to its alternatives.
Peazip
Peazip is a file compression program that supports over 150 file types. This application has several security functions, such as B. an encrypted password manager and two-factor authentication.
- It is a simple utility that does not contain malware.
- This program can search for double files.
- The program can divide the archive into several files.
- You can manage which meetings are archived by planning to archive.
- It enables you to compress files if you have limited resources.
7-zip
7-Zip is a well-known open-source file compression software that is available on the Internet. For safety reasons, this program uses the safest AES-256 encryption method. It is one of the best free Winzip replacements because it supports self-extracting 7Z files. The app is suitable for use in the corporate and commercial sectors. 7-Zip supports the following file formats: 7Z, Gzip, XZ, and BZIP2.
- Windows-Shell integration
- It has a file manager that helps you to properly manage your files.
- This unzips utility program can be used from the command line.
- Offers a plugin for a FAR manager (software that manages archives and files)
- It can be localized in over 87 languages.
- 7-Zip compresses files with the algorithms Lzma (Lempel Ziv Markov Chain Algorithm) and LZMA2.
How can you add a password for ZIP files?
You can generate a ZIP file with Windows 10, but you cannot create a ZIP file with a password unless you use third-party software. There are various free programs to create a password-protected zip file. To create a password-protected ZIP file, you can use two standard tools: WinRAR and 7-Zip (both free of charge).
- Download WinRAR from his website and install it by double-clicking on the downloaded setup file.
- After installation, right-click the password-protected file and select the "Add to the archive" option to open the "Archive name and parameter" window.
- Enter a name for your archive and choose ZIP as an archive format.
- Select ZIP as an archive format, since WinRAR uses the Rar format by default.
- Click on the "Set password" field and enter a password to protect your file. Enter the password for confirmation before clicking on the "OK" button. That's all!
How do I add new files to the existing ZIP file?
Adding files to an existing ZIP file is as simple as pulling and lying down on the compressed file. You will see a "+copy" tool if you drive the mouse over the ZIP file with the file you want to add. The files are added to the tipped file after you have released your mouse and files. The files are added to the framework of the compressed file. It is not included in a separate folder within the compressed package.
How can you open or unzip a zip file?
If the ZIP file contains many files, it is also possible to unzip them all at once. First, search for the ZIP file and right-click on it. In the appearance of the context button, click on "Extract everyone". You can also open the ZIP file by double-clicking on it and then clicking "Extract all" in the top right of the file explorer.
Next, you will be asked to select a location for the extracted files. The current location of the ZIP file is the standard storage location for the extracted files. Click "Search" if you want to change it. The file explorer window is displayed. Navigate to the place where you want to extract the files and then click on "Select folder". When you have made your selection, click the "Extract" button and you will see all the extracted files at the selected location.
Advantages of a ZIP file
The first and most important advantage is that you release storage space. Large files can be compressed to save up to 80 % or more storage space on the hard disk. The email transmission time is drastically reduced when the file size is reduced. If your mailbox has a storage space restriction, the smaller file size of the email messages you want to save is an advantage. The encryption of private data via Zippe is useful when sensitive material is transmitted over the Internet.
Conclusion
In short, a ZIP file is a more efficient method for saving or transmitting data. However, this is not the only way to compress data and save storage space. With the advent of Dropbox, the cloud has made it faster, easier, and safer than file compression.
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