Windows family is equipped with a special feature that allows you to zip or compress a file or folder with the help of an in-built tool. Windows 10 is no exception!
It features the compressing of the files and folders as well. Zipping or compressing a file is extraordinarily helpful. How? Read ahead!
Suppose you have limited storage in your hard disk which is packed up with huge files. It could be your family album, important applications, or any other essential data.
However, you cannot delete them as each of them is crucial for you.
At this point, the only thing that can fix the matter and allow you to keep all the files while spacing up your hard disk is compressing them. When you choose to zip a file, it gets shrunk in size.
On the other hand, if you come across any hurdle while sharing large-sized files through any online tool including Email, Skype, or WhatsApp, simply zip them! Larger files take up huge space, which in turn creates obstacles while sharing them.
Zipped files fit in a smaller space and allow you to send more than big yet compressed files at the same time. There are three different methods of zipping a file. If you are interested in knowing them, read ahead.
Method 1: Zipping or Compressing Files Using the 'Menu Option'.
With this method, you can zip or compress either a single file or multiple files. To know how to accomplish the zipping precisely, follow the step by step guidance thoroughly.
Step 1: Select the file that you want to zip
As mentioned earlier, this method is suitable for zipping both single and multiple files. If you aim to compress a single file, you can jump to the second step. If not, follow this one.
There are two distinct ways of selecting multiple files. Firstly, for choosing a consecutive filegroup, you first need to click on the first file. After that, you need to press the shift key, followed by a click on the last file. All the items between the first and last file will be automatically selected.
Secondly, if you want to select the non-consecutive files, you need to press the CTRL key and choose your preferred files just the way you select an individual one.
Step 2: Navigate the 'send to' option
After you execute the first step successfully, you need to locate the 'send to' option. For that, point the cursor of your mouse on the selected item(s), after that, right-click on it. Then, you will notice a drop-down menu bar.
Among those options, you have to find out the one that reads 'Send to'. Once you tap on it, you will notice another menu bar with different options, including the compressed or zipped folder. Make sure to click on it carefully.
Note: The second step in the most vital process of this method. If you make even a slight mistake, you might lose your important data.
Step 3: Rename the zipped or compressed file(s)
Unless you rename the zipped file, you will face difficulties while searching them back again. Thus, in the third step, you have to finish the task of zipping and compressing by providing a name to it. After you rename it, hit the Enter key to accept the changes.
Note: At this point, Windows 10 will suggest a default name based on your previous file name. For example, if the former file name is cookies.png file, the recommended name of its zip file will be cookies.zip. You can choose to keep it or rename it as per your desire.
How to Create a ZIP file Windows 10 \ 8 \ 7 | How to compress big files | Create ZIP File Windows PC
Method 2: Using the Ribbon Menu to Zip or Compress More Than One File
Along with the 'Send to' option, there is another way of zipping or compressing single and multiple files. If you notice, you will find that there is a zip command at the Ribbon menu in your Windows 10 File Explorer.
Zipping or compressing files through the Ribbon menu is the most convenient method for laptop users. It is because, here, you just need to tap into the compressed files instead of right-clicking. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Select the file(s)
Similar to the method mentioned above, you need to select your desired files. For selecting the consecutive files, opt for the Shift key option, and for non-consecutive ones, go for the CTRL key option.
Step 2: Search for the Share tab
After the selection of the files is done, you need to search for the tab labelled ‘Share’ in your file explorer. Most probably, it is present just beside the home tab. However, once you locate it, click on it.
Step 3: Hit on the zip button
When you click on the ‘Share’ tab, you will find multiple options beneath it. Look for the zip button (yellow file icon) among them. Click on it, once you navigate. Here, all your selected files will be zipped or compressed.
Note: Apart from Windows 10, the Ribbon menu functions smoothly in Windows 8.1 whereas the previous method, i.e. ‘Send to’ works fine in the previous Windows version as well.
Method 3: How to Zip an Entire Folder
In the two methods mentioned above, you have learned the ways of zipping or compressing single or multiple files. What if you need to zip an entire folder? You can do that too by following the below-enlisted steps.
Step 1: Search for the File Explorer
To begin the process, you first need to find out the File Explorer on the taskbar of Windows 10.
Note: If you press the Windows key and E together in your Keyboard, File Explorer will open automatically.
Step 2: Navigate the folder
After opening the File Explorer, you need to look for the folder that you wished to include in the single compressed or zip file. The following steps are exactly similar to that of the 1st method. Check them out.
Step 3: Zip the folder
Once you select the folder, right-click on it and tap on the 'Send to' option. After that, opt for the 'compressed folder' to zip it.
Step 4: Finish the task by renaming the folder
Just like the first method, end the task by renaming the folder. Then, save the changes by hitting the Enter key. View, modify and extract the content of a zip folder
Are you puzzled about how to view the inner content of your zipped folder? Well, no need to worry as not only you can view it easily but you can modify the compressed folders by combining or deleting files from it too.
Zipped folders work precisely like the other ordinary folders. So, if you want to view it, just click on it. On the other side, if you want to include more files, you can do it by the drag and drop method.
In the case of extracting files, locate the 'Extract All' button. You will find it within the extract tab. After that, a wizard called Extract Compressed Folder will appear on the screen. Finally, you need to choose a location where you want to extract the files and hit on the extract button.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you must now be aware of the different methods that you can follow to zip or compress the files or folders. To avoid silly mistakes, make sure to do that simultaneously while reading the article.
