Connect With Us

WindowsObserver.com RSS Feed

Observed Tech PODCAST RSS Feed
WindowsObserver.com on Facebook

@WinObs on Twitter
WindowsObserver.com on Google+

WindowsObserver.com on FriendFeed
WindowsObserver.com on Technorati

WindowsObserver.con on YouTube

How to: Create Compressed Archive in Windows 7

windows7workyourway

WinZip used to be my compression program of choice way back when and was the first shareware program I ever bought.  However, one piece of functionality in the Windows 7 Operating System, and in Windows Vista before it, eliminates the need for a separate archiving/compression program.

In order to create a compressed or zipped archive select the files and/or folders you want to compress and then right click. Go down to Send To and then click Compressed (zipped) folder.

windows7createziparchive

Once you do that you will see a zipped folder ready for you to rename

windows7nameziparchive

If you now click on the zipped folder you will see the inside of the archive as shown below.

windows7insideziparchive

You browse a compressed folder just as if it was another folder on your computer.  If you click a file inside of that compressed folder then it will be opened in the files default program; if you delete it then it will be removed; you can also drag and drop files in and out of the compressed folder.

This is great for reducing the size of files you might want to send to someone by to reduce the size.

Related Posts

Richard Hay  (3332 Posts)

Richard is the Owner of WindowsObserver.com and has been involved in tech for over 25 years. His first website – AnotherWin95.com – came online in 1995. Back then he used GeoCities Web Hosting for it and what you see here today is the result of the work he has continued on the site since 1995. In January 2010 his community contributions were recognized by Microsoft when he was awarded the Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award for Windows Desktop Experience. In January 2011 he was renewed as a Microsoft MVP but in a new category called Windows Expert - Consumer and in January 2012 he received the award for the third time.


This post first appeared on WindowsObserver.com. If you enjoyed it please make sure you subscribe to the RSS feed and join our Facebook Fan Page to stay up to date.

6 comments to How to: Create Compressed Archive in Windows 7