How to Create, Open and Work with Compressed Files in Windows

All of them occupy a certain space on the disk drives of our computer, how could it be otherwise, something that we must control. We tell you this because the fact of running out of space in these units can be a serious problem in most cases. Therefore, as we say, before reaching that point the best we can do is keep a certain control of the available space in these storage units.

How to free up space in Windows without programs

Among the many steps that we can follow in this sense, we always have the possibility of eliminating unnecessary programs. At the same time we can save certain large files, such as videos, externally on USB drives , for example. In the same way we can make use of the Windows space freeing tool to erase what the system does not need.

To access this functionality that we discuss, you will only have to type Space Cleaner in the Windows search box to access it. In this way we will have the possibility, in a few seconds, to automatically free up space in the operating system.

But along these lines we want to focus on a very useful functionality that has been around for a good number of years, compression. Specifically with this we refer to the possibility of compressing files and folders stored on disk drives.

What are compressed files and their utilities

This allows us to save space, among many other advantages that these compressed files offer us. For example, they are much more comfortable when it comes to sharing content on the Internet, to send several files by email, or simply for backup copies.

The compressors of these elements have been with us for a good number of years, hence Windows itself already wants to make things easier for us in this regard. It is more than likely that many of you have heard of ZIP files. Specifically, this is a compressed file format that can be used for these tasks that we mention. That is, to pack one or more files or folders together and thus save disk space, since its resulting size is smaller.

As we told you, this type of file compression actions allows us to save disk space, store infrequently used files, send documents, etc. For this, mythical programs such as WinZip or WinRAR have been used for years, but this is something that we can already do directly from Windows .

It is for all this that in these same lines we are going to show you the simple steps to follow to compress and decompress files from the system itself. In other words, we will have the possibility of saving space or combining content without the need to use third-party programs, all from Microsoft‘s own Windows .

How to unzip files in Windows

Well, as we say, these file compression tasks can be carried out directly from Windows. Thus, its own operating system internally incorporates its own function for all this, as we will see. First of all what we have to do is locate the contents, files or folders that we want to compress now. For example this is something that we can do from the File Explorer. We open this with the combination of keys Win + E and go to the disk path of the contents that we want to compress in .ZIP format .

Next we select all the files together, and click with the right mouse button on this selection. These will be joined in a blue selection rectangle.

Then we click on it with the right mouse button again, and select the Send to option. We see this in the contextual menu that appears then, where in turn we will be able to opt for the Compressed Folder entry (in zip).

At that moment the file that we want to generate will be created already compressed and in .ZIP format. at that moment we will be able to name it as we want directly and the files selected before will be saved and compressed inside.

Unzip files from Windows

On the other hand, if we have a compressed file with certain contents inside and we need to decompress it in Windows, it is also a very simple task. The first thing we do is locate the compressed folder that we want to unzip and then right-click on the file as such. Again a context menu will appear where we select the Extract all option.

A new window appears that by default allows us to unzip in the path of the same location as the compressed folder. Of course, we can also change the destination by clicking the Browse button. Then we click the Extract button and the files will be unzipped to the selected disk destination.

Open compressed files directly

It is worth mentioning that Microsoft’s operating system, directly and without using third-party programs, also allows us to open compressed files. This is something that we achieve thanks to a built-in function that allows us to open that file in Windows as if it were just another folder.

In this way, all we have to do is, again from the File Explorer, go to the disk path of the tablet that interests us. Then we double click on it, and we will be able to see the contents it houses.

Compression formats supported in Windows

But this has certain limitations compared to other external compressors, for example the compatibility with compression formats. Say that at this time we can use a multitude of file formats of this type. But the built-in functionality of Windows only has direct support for some of them. Of course, at the same time it should be mentioned that from here we can use the most common and common:

• ZIP
• ZIPX
• SQX
• CAB
• RAR
• 7Z
• 7ZIP

Extract or add contents of a compressed file

As we have seen before, accessing the contents of a file that is already compressed directly from Windows is very simple, just double-click on it. But that’s not all, but we can also carry out some basic tasks from here. For example, by treating the file as if it were a conventional folder, we will have the possibility of adding new contents to the tablet by simply dragging them to the window that opens.

Similarly, content extraction is just as simple. For this, what we have to do is click on the file or folder stored here, and click with the right button of the mouse on it. Then a new contextual menu will appear that allows us to copy that content, cut it, delete it or open it.

In this way, as we can see, we can carry out tasks directly on the contents stored and compressed here, almost as if it were a normal folder.

Third-party programs to compress and decompress

All this that we have commented to you serves to carry out these actions with compressed contents directly in Windows. But as we told you, there are also a good number of external third-party programs that facilitate these tasks. Therefore, as a complement, in these lines we are going to show you some of the best known in this regard.

• WinRAR: this is what could be considered as the compression program par excellence for a long time. It is worth mentioning that the application as such is a paid program. Of course, we have the possibility of using it for free and without limitations for 40 days, with the peculiarity that the trial period never ends. In this way we have the possibility to benefit from all the functions it presents us, forever. We achieve all this from this link .
• PeaZip: this is another of these proposals that has been around for a good amount of time and that has not stopped improving. We can download it from this link both in its installable and portable version. It is compatible with most of the current formats and has a multitude of additional functions .
• Bandizip: here we talk about a proposal that is characterized by being a lightweight compressor that you can download from here . It has a free version, as well as other paid versions for professionals . It is compatible with a multitude of compression formats and its use is very simple and fast.