The best way to compress a file in Windows is to use a dedicated file compression program. Although Windows does have a built-in compression utility, programs such as 7-Zip and WinRAR can provide more robust compression and archiving capabilities.
Using such a program can enable the user to reduce files sizes by up to 90%, depending on the type of file and the settings chosen for the compression process. With 7-Zip, for instance, users can choose from a number of different algorithms, including LZMA and Bzip2, as well as various levels of compression.
To get started with compressing files in Windows, the user can download and install a suitable file compression utility like 7-Zip or WinRAR. After launching the program, the user can then select the files or folders they want to compress and set the desired compression settings. Once done, the program will apply the settings to the files and generate a new compressed file. Depending on the program, the user may also be able to add multiple files to an archive for further compression.
As mentioned, the degree of compression attained can depend largely on the settings chosen and the type of file being compressed. Images, for instance, may already be in a compressed format which limits the amount of space that can be further saved. In such cases, the user should choose efficient compression settings that preserve the quality of the image while minimising the file size.
In addition, many modern compression utilities can take advantage of multi-threading and multi-core processors to further speed up the compression process. 7-Zip, for example, allows users to configure how many threads the program should use for processing, ensuring maximum performance.
No matter which program the user opts for, compressing files on Windows is an effective way to save storage space and easily share files with others.