Every day, a large number of documents arrive on the internet, so many times there is a need to reduce everything that is unnecessary of Windows files in various formats. In this way, you can free up extra space on the computer, something very important especially if you need to save many regularly.
The documents that reach the computer, can be agglomerated to save space , reduce their weight and therefore to group several of them in a single file , so that they improve their sending through the internet. This is because the more the folders weigh, it will take a little longer to move. Windows 10 has a peculiarity that many of the consumers do not know, and it is that without needing to have some software installed, it brings with it formats that make understanding possible. However, you can also install software such as WinZip, WinRAR or 7Zip that allows you
If you want to know how to compress and unzip documents and folders , in this part we explain in a simpler way and practice all the formats, steps to follow and the different programs that you can use to somehow reduce hard disk space.
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Steps to compress and decompress all kinds of documents easily
Next we are going to show you a series of steps to achieve the understanding of any document you want inside the computer. To do this, you can use Windows 10 that brings with it a series of tools that can be used without the need for third-party programs. This allows you to transform into WinRAR or WinZIP formats. The following explains how to do this procedure.
No programs in Windows 10
Without installing any kind of software you will be able to understand data in a simpler way using only your computer and Windows 10. Follow the steps below and discover how to do it.
- First, you must select the folders that you want to compress from the Windows file explorer of your computer.
- In this way , when you have all the files or folders chosen, you proceed to click on one of them with the button on the right side of the mouse to see the context menu .
- Then select the option “Send to Compressed Folder (in zip)”.
- Then a compressed folder will appear next to it , with the name of one of the selected folders to compress.
- Name will appear in edit condition. This to give the compressed folder the name you want.
- When doing this step, you will double-click on it, that inside it all are those folders you selected.
- In this way, you will have that file ready to share and transfer it without using third-party programs.
Using WinZip
WinZip is one of the most commonly used formats to fix files faster and more efficiently . If by chance you have a ZIP file compressed in this way on your hard drive or you receive it via the internet by mail or other means, you will also have the option to unzip it in a simple way.
For this, you only need to own the document on the computer:
Download WinZip free latest version for Windows
- Locate and select it by clicking on it with the right mouse button and choose the “Extract all” option.
- Once this is done, it will open a window where you will be asked to indicate the exact path where you want to unzip the file .
- To do this, you must click on “Browse” and locate the destination.
- Then click on “Extract” and voila .
Using WinRAR
WinRAR is a format that is also widely used for writing comprehension. This type of software is excellent because it has the advantage of containing a fairly high data analysis . In this case, we explain in a series of steps how to compress with this program:
Download WinRAR free latest version for Windows
- Locate the documents that you want to compress on your computer.
- Then proceed to click with the right mouse button .
- Next, select the option “add to file name.rar” .
- With this you will have created the fully compressed document to the fullest on your computer.
What kind of compression formats exist and what are the most used?
At present, there are various formats that are used by different users to compress and decompress the files that reach the computer. Each of them is different and therefore have different characteristics . In this part, you will see which are the most used in recent times.
ZIP format
This type of format is one of the most popular by users to compress and decompress files in ZIP format . It is a type of lossless storage software, that is, it is commonly managed to understand data as it is; other programs, web pages among others. In this way, compresses each file separately which in some way allows each record to be rescued without reading the others. 
It should be noted that Windows includes a plugin (zipfldr.dll) which allows, in a certain way, to expose the ZIP files in the browser with a compressed interface and without additional options. These are referred to as “compressed folder” (in zip) . It is necessary to bear in mind that when sending them in ZIP format through email it is essential to change the name before transmission. This is a product of the fact that over the years these were sources of computer viruses .
RAR format
RAR is a type of proprietary storage format , which like the ZIP is lossless. Although users usually use them, this type of format is slower than the previous one. However, contains a high understanding of data , reduces the information by a much higher percentage, thus compressing a large number of files to be implemented in the WinRAR program a >. This type of format is simply identified by its icon in the form of three linked books or by the extension .Rar . 
Format 7Z
This format example is also lossless with high rates , which allows it to stand out between the ZIP format and the RAR. For its part, is free software , which indicates that it supports in addition to the 7-Zip program for which it was created. This program has an administrator that facilitates the observation of the various contents of those that are compressed, without the need to be extracted. 
Gzip
Gzip is a tool that compresses and decompresses without any loss of important data, this type of extension can be used to fix your documents faster. The only disadvantage is that this format does not accept the understanding of several documents within oneself . 
Bzip2
This is a format that allows compression greater than Gzip and also Zip , and like the previous format, it also does not allow several files in one. This tool is ideal for when you need a high understanding and so you can use it in a more practical and easy way. 
TAR and CAB
At present, there are various types of configurations for compressing and decompressing files, but without a doubt those mentioned above are the most prominent and used by people. However, there are those that are less manipulated but that likewise should be known. Among them are the formats; TAR, the CAB.
To mention a few, there is the TAR format , which is used to sort them in several ways into one, in this case it only archives them. Finally there is the CAB used internally in the compression of files for component installation.
What are the advantages when we compress files and programs?
The advantages of compressing and decompressing digital assets on your computer are to ensure that it is not full of unnecessary garbage and that your hard drive can lighten in space and have enough for the other documents you wish to download. Therefore we mention some so you can have a reference at the time of this process:
- By making a lighter program, speeds up the speed with which data is transmitted in case you need to carry it on a USB stick, upload it to the internet or send it via email .
- You can secure the information you compress since most compression programs allow you to encrypt files with a password. No one who If you do not have this password, you can unzip and use the information saved in the Rar or Zip format.
- You can divide one by compression. This makes it much easier to send programs that weigh many Gigas.
- This is also a way to protect information since compressed documents are not damaged and are rarely affected by viruses.
It will always be a good time to learn and here in this article we have left you the necessary steps to make it easier to reduce and lighten the space of your Windows hard drive.