File and Folder Compression in Windows 7

Are you running short of disk drive space?  Given the size of video and picture files it is easy to run out of hard disk drive space. Well, there’s a simple answer for you! Compress important files to save disk valuable hard disk space.

Why Use File and Folder Compression?

• A Compressed file or folder takes up less storage space.
• Besides compressing files you can create a compressed folder and store several files inside it.
• You can copy or move a compressed file or compressed folder to another drive or computer quicker than conventional uncompressed files or folders.
• You can work with compressed files and folders in the same way as you do with uncompressed files and folders.
• Files and folders are easier to share.
• You can compress all types of files – picture files, video files, music files and document files to name just a few.

If you choose the compressing files option there are two ways you can do it. The first method involves creating a blank compressed folder.

Creating a blank compressed folder

The Document Library will be used for this demonstration.

1. Open the Documents Library.
2. Right click on a blank area.
3. A pop-up menu appears.
4. Select New.
5. In the menu, click Compressed (zipped) folder.
6. A Blank Zipped folder appears in the Documents Library. While it is highlighted, type a name.

   Tip! Now you have created a compressed folder you can copy or move files into it. Each file is automatically compressed.

Compressing an Individual File

The Document Library will be used for this demonstration.

1. Open the Document Library.
2. Select the file you wish to compress.
3. Right click on the selected file.
4. In the pop-up menu, select Send to.
5. In the side menu, select Compressed (zipped) folder.The illustration below shows the sequence to follow.
6. The newly created Compressed folder takes the name of the file you selected for compression.

Compressing a Folder

The Document Library will be used for this demonstration.

1. Open the Document Library.
2. Select the folder for compression.
3. Right click on the selected folder.
4. In the pop-up menu, select Send to.
5. In the side menu, select Compressed (zipped) folder.The illustration below shows the sequence.
6. The compressed folder appears in the Document Library with the original folder.

It is more practical when compressing files to use the following technique.

1. Create a blank compressed (zipped) folder in the Documents Library.
2. Select a group of files you wish to compress.
3. Right click on the highlighted group and drag the selection onto the compressed folder.

The illustration below shows the sequence.

4.   Windows opens a pop-up menu asking whether you want to copy or move the files into the Compressed folder.

• If you choose Copy, the original files remain in the Documents Library.
• If you choose Move, the files are transferred into the Compressed folder.

Extracting a Zipped file from a Compressed folder

1. Select the compressed folder and open it by double-clicking.
2. In the file list, choose the file to be unzipped.
3. Drag the file from the compressed folder to its new location.
4. When you release the mouse button, a pop-up menu offers three options – Copy, Move or Cancel.

Note:  Choosing Copy leaves the compressed file back in the compressed folder. Choosing Move does as the name suggests.

Extracting All Zipped Files

1. Right click on the Compressed (zipped) Folder.
2. In the pop-up menu, select Extract All.
3. The Extract Compressed (Zipped) Folders window opens.
4. Click the Browse button to choose a location.
5. The Select a destination window opens
6. Select where you wish the files extract to.
7. Click the Make New Folder button.
8. Type in a name for the folder
9. Click the Ok button.
10. The new folder destination appears in the Extract Compressed (Zipped) Folders window.
11. Click the Extract button.
12. Windows extracts the files and unzips them.

13. If you double-click on the Specials folder you created, you will see the extracted files.

Note: When extracting, the files are unzipped and copies to the new destination while the originals, remain zipped in the Compressed (zipped) folder.

Checking the contents of a Compressed Files folder

1. Double-click on the Compressed folder.

2.   The Compressed Folder, Important Files, opens. If you use the Details view you will see more details about the compression.