In the following article we will teach you through simple steps How to compress a file? And why this method can be so useful for you.
How to compress files?
One of the best ways to store, email, or simply gather them together to have them in one easy-to-access place is to compress them. The ideal and recommended formats that can be used to compress into formats are ZIP, RAR, and GZ.
In the world of computing, it is essential that the space that some files occupy is managed. That is why the most important e-mail servers sometimes limit the storage and upload of files; for example: Gmail at 25MB, Outlook at 10-20MB, and Yahoo Mail at 25MB.
An important fact is that Windows offers the option of how to compress a file automatically through File Explorer, if the file to be sent exceeds the limited number of attached documents.
Steps to compress a file with Windows
With this useful application, the files you compress will be stored together with the source files. Next, we will explain step by step how to compress files with Windows:
- First step: You must select the file you want to compress. When there are several documents, we can use "Ctrl" to select and compress them.
- Second step: Use the right mouse button on the documents to be compressed, select the "send to" option.
- Third step: Subsequently, "compressed document or folders, in zip" will be selected, and with this action and following these simple steps you will be able to create a compressed file.
Steps in a ZIP file
This method is one of the most used. Thanks to its easy application, it has gained popularity among digital users. Both WinZip and Windows Explorer offer the ability to compress entire folders; below, step by step on how to do it:
- Step 1:: Select the file to compress. It can be a photograph, audiovisual material, PDF document or a whole folder.
- Step 2:: Press the right mouse button to point and choose the option «send to».
- Step 3:: Select the destination by clicking on «folder compressed in ZIP».
- Step 4:: You can confirm the compression of the file on the monitor and verify the newly created ZIP file with the same name as the original file.
Steps to compress a file in RAR
WinRAR is one of the simplest and most widely used tools for compressing files. Remember that both WinZip and WinRAR files can compress files up to 20-25 MB, if the file after being compressed exceeds this figure, you must use another application for this or reduce the number of files to compress; Next, we will explain how to do it in steps:
- First step: Select by clicking the right mouse button on the document to be compressed.
- Second step: Check "add to file" and when an options window opens, choose the file format you want, as well as the compression mode.
- Third step: Here, you can make a modification (like the name) and then click ok to have a compressed RAR file.
How to compress a photo file?
When you want to send photos taken from the cell phone or camera or downloaded images, you can compress them. Before you begin, you must first collect the photos or images into folders, and then proceed with the following steps:
- Step 1:: Change the dimension of your photos using applications like Picasa and PicSizer. Thus increasing the number of photographs that can fit in a folder.
- Step 2:: Choose photo files, which are in JPEG, GIF or PNG formats because they take up less space while preserving their quality.
- Step 3:: Compress photo folders as long as they do not contain more than 20MB.
- Step 4:: Use applications like WinZip, since it favors the option of transforming the files.
- Step 5:Now, just press the right mouse button, select "compress" and it will convert your photo folder into a .zip file.
If you want to hear a summarized version on how to compress images with just one step, we invite you to watch the following video:
How to compress a MOV file?
MOV is a file that contains multimedia data, such as audios, videos or texts. These can be heavy and difficult to send by email, compressing them is the solution so that they take up less space on your computer.
- First step: select the MOV file to compress by right-clicking.
- Second step: Choose the "send to" alternative. Then, a box will open on the right, choose the option "compress folder, in zip".
- Third step: This MOV file is modified, it happens to be a zip file and you will notice that its name will end in ".zip".
We invite you to read another of our articles: How to easily retouch and enhance photos? .