How To Compress Files On Windows

One way to store more than data when you are depression on difficult drive infinite is past using compression to make the files and folders you lot already accept on the drive accept up less space. In the past, utilities such every bit Winzip were used for this purpose, merely Windows XP has a built in compression utility that does the same job.

To create a compressed binder, open My Computer and locate the binder where you desire to create the compressed folder (also known every bit an archive). Open that binder, and then select File, New, Compressed (zipped) folder.

Type a proper name for the compressed folder and printing enter. Your new compressed folder will have a attachment on its icon to indicate that any files independent in it are compressed.

To compress files (or make them smaller) merely elevate them into this folder. To uncompress them (or render them to their original state) drag them out of the compressed folder.

Compressed folders even support a password option, allowing you to employ them every bit a place to store sensitive information. You should be conscientious when using this feature, all the same. The password is not recoverable. If yous forget it, your data stored in the compressed binder will be lost forever. To add a countersign, open the compressed folder and select File, Add together a Password.

In addition to the compressed folders feature, Windows XP supports another type of compression if your hard drive is formatted as an NTFS volume. You tin can see it if your hard bulldoze was formatted with NTFS past opening My Calculator and then taking a expect at the details section on the lower left.

NTFS compression differs from compressed folders in that the NTFS compressed folders appear like any other folders. The operating system compresses and decompresses them on the fly each time you access and close them. NTFS compressed folders practise not accept a zipper on their icon. Still, yous can prepare Windows to brandish them in a different colour if you want to know which folders are NTFS compressed and which ones are not.

To set up an NTFS compressed folder, right-click on the binder y'all want to use and select Properties. In the General tab, click on the Advanced push button.

Toward the lesser of the window you will encounter a check box that will permit you to Compress contents to salvage deejay space.

If you lot desire to brandish your NTFS compressed folders using a different color, select Tools, Folder Options from an Explorer window. Then in the View tab, make certain Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color is checked.