Compress Files in Windows Using 7-Zip

Compress Files in Windows Using 7-Zip

It's common to compress files into a single archived file usually in zip or the notorious tar.gz format in Windows. 7-Zip can handles more format than any of its competitors. This page guides you on how to compress files in Windows using 7-Zip.

Organize Your Archival Files

7-Zip needs you to setup your archival files into a single directory before compression. Hence, you should organize your files in the same pattern where you wants your recipient to extract out (e.g. directory pathing, filenames, and etc).

Please take your time to organize properly because it would be difficult to do so after compression.

Organize your archival files in a directory

Initiate Compression Sequences

Unlike other software, you can initiate 7-Zip compression sequences by:

  1. right clicking onto the directory;
  2. look for “7-Zip”;
  3. select Add to archive.
Organize your archival files in a directory

Configure Compression Profile

7-Zip can compress in various profile and format. Hence, you will need to configure them according to your output. If you have no idea what to do, simply:

  1. Optionally re-name your archived file if you dislike it (e.g. name.zip for .zip file). Otherwise, the default is the name of the directory (which is fine).
  2. Select Archive Format to be the common tar or zip.
  3. If you need to encrypt the archive file, simply enter and re-enter your password in the encryption zone.
    1. If you’re using encryption, unless you know what you’re doing, you MUST use AES-256 encryption method.

Leave the rest as default and you should be creating a good archive file.

Organize your archival files in a directory

Press OK upon completion. 7-Zip will compress the file accordingly.

Verify Output

Your compressed file will be generated at the given path (usually next to the directory). Verify the file by decompressing it and check the output before using it.

Organize your archival files in a directory

Once everything is fine, the archive file is ready for use.

Epilogue

That’s all for “Compress Files in Windows Using 7-Zip”. Should you have any question, please feel free to:

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