In Windows, files can be compressed to save disk space and reduce the size of attached files for sharing. Compressing files reduces the amount of disk space they occupy by reducing their size and combining them into fewer files. There are several ways to compress files in Windows depending on the type of files you want to compress.
1. ZIP Files
The most common type of compression format used in Windows is the ZIP file. ZIP files allow users to compress multiple files into one single file that occupies less disk space. To compress a file or folder using ZIP format:
– Select the file or folder you want to compress
– Right click and select “Send to”
– Select “Compressed (zipped) folder”
– A new zipped folder will appear with the same name as the file or folder
– To add more files to the zipped folder, drag and drop the files into the zipped folder
– Finally, right click on the zipped folder and select “Send To > Compressed (Zipped) Folder” to create the compressed file
2. RAR Files
RAR is another popular file compression format. It is capable of compressing large amounts of data, but takes longer to do so than ZIP format. To compress a file or folder with RAR format:
– Select the file or folder you want to compress
– Right click and select “Send to”
– Select “Compressed (RAR) archive”
– A new RAR archive will appear with the same name as the file or folder
– To add more files to the RAR archive, drag and drop the files into the RAR archive
– Finally, right click on the RAR archive and select “Send To > Compressed (RAR) Archive” to compress the file
3. 7-Zip
7-Zip is a free open source file archiving utility. It supports several different file compression formats, including ZIP, RAR and 7z. To compress a file or folder with 7-Zip:
– Download and install the 7-Zip application
– Open the application and select the file or folder you want to compress
– Select the “Add to Archive” option from the File menu and select the compression format (such as ZIP, RAR or 7z)
– Enter a name for the compressed file
– Click the OK button to begin the compression process
– Finally, select the location where you want to save the compressed file
4. CAB Files
CAB files are less commonly used than ZIP or RAR files, but they offer better compression rates than other formats. To compress a file or folder using the CAB format:
– Select the file or folder you want to compress
– Right click and select “Send to”
– Select “Compressed (CAB) Folder”
– A new cab folder will appear with the same name as the file or folder
– To add more files to the cab folder, drag and drop the files into the cab folder
– Finally, right click on the cab folder and select “Send To > Compressed (CAB) Folder” to create the compressed file
Compressing files in Windows is an effective way to reduce file size and make attachments easier to send. Remember to choose the best file compression format for your needs, as each format offers different levels of compression and flexibility.