ZIP files allow you to send larger folders and files as they are smaller after compression. Instead of sending large files via email, a ZIP file is more compact to download and saves time. These files also act as great archives for better organization.
If you’re looking for instructions on how to create a ZIP file, look no further. In this article, we will teach you how to compress files on the various platforms available. We’ll also answer some of your burning questions about ZIP files.
How to create a zip file?
You can create ZIP files on both computers and mobile phones. The operating system does not matter, although the exact methods will be different. ZIP files are convenient, which is why many platforms allow you to create them.
linux
On Linux, creating a ZIP file is as easy as a few clicks. All you need to do is select the files and folders to compress. After that, you can send it to someone, store it in a different location, or save it where you created it.
Here are the steps to create a ZIP file on Linux:
- Select the files and folders you want to compress.
- Once you’re done selecting the objects, right-click on the space around them.
- Select “Compress.”
- A window called “Create File” will appear, allowing you to name the file.
- After that, select the “.zip” option below and click on the “Create” button on the top right.
- After a short wait, you will be able to find the ZIP file in the same directory.
Sometimes ZIP support is not installed, but you can easily fix that. Just run “sudo apt install zip unzip” and you should have ZIP compression capability. If your version of Linux already supports ZIP, it will not install it again.
This method works with Ubuntu and many other Linux distributions.
You can also use the command line to compress files.
- Open the command line and then type “CD Directory”, in this case “CD Documents”.
- To view listings in the Directory, type “LS.”
- Type zip -r folder name.zip folder name.
- Wait for the process to complete.
The file and file names should be the actual names of your file. Extensions must also be written along with the names.
Mac
Mac OS X also allows you to easily create ZIP files. The process takes very little time to complete and when it is finished, you will be able to save a lot of space on your hard drive.
This is how you create ZIP files on your Mac:
- Create a new folder.
- Drag and drop everything you want to compress into the folder.
- Right click on the folder.
- Select “Compress (folder name)”.
- Wait for the compression process to finish.
You can also do this with inpidual objects or multiple files without creating a new folder. Creating a new folder is simply for convenience.
Once the files are archived, you can send to your friends, for example, the many photographs you took while on vacation. Instead of sending them inpidually, why not archive them and send them in one batch?
windows
On Windows, creating ZIP files has become a standard feature since Windows XP. You don’t need to download any third party programs to compress anything. Like Mac and Linux, it only takes a few clicks.
Creating ZIP files in Windows can be done like this:
- Select the files and/or objects you want to compress.
- Right click on the space around the objects.
- Select “Send to.”
- A list will appear, and from that list, select “Zipped Folder.”
- The new ZIP file will appear in that directory after a short wait.
In addition, you can also create a ZIP file without selecting the objects to be compressed. You can just create one.
- In any directory, right-click with the mouse.
- Select “New.”
- Next, look for “Compressed (zipped) folder.”
- Select it and create the ZIP file.
- After that, you can drag and drop any files and folders into the ZIP file.
Android
While computers have native ZIP compression support, Android phones don’t have this luxury. Don’t worry, you can get WinZip on the Google Play Store. It is free and convenient to use.
Compressing files on Android involves these steps:
- Launch Google Play Store on your Android phone.
- Search for WinZip.
- Download and install the application.
- Launch the app when you’re done.
- Locate the objects you want to compress.
- Select the objects.
- Tap the “ZIP” button on the bottom tab.
- Select the directory and then tap “Compress here.”
- Wait for the process to finish.
If you don’t like using WinZip, you can download Zarchiver. This application is an excellent alternative.
- Launch Google Play Store on your Android phone.
- Search Zarchiver.
- Download and install the application.
- Start Zarchiver.
- Locate and select the objects to compress.
- Press and hold the screen to bring up a menu.
- Select “Compress.”
- You can name your file and select the compression format.
- Choose the ZIP file option and then tap “OK.”
- Wait for the files to be compressed.
Zarchiver allows you to compress files in more formats than ZIP and 7z. If you’re interested in versatile options, this could be the app for you.
Please note that this works for all Android devices, including tablets.
iPhone
Now, you might think that iPhones also require you to download an app before you can create ZIP files, but you’d be surprised. Unlike Android’s lack of compression functionality, iPhones can compress files natively. The Files app lets you do just that.
This is how to compress files on iPhone:
- Open the Files app.
- Choose the location where you want to create your ZIP files.
- Tap the triple dots and then choose “Select.”
- Choose the objects you want to archive.
- Tap the triple dots again, but this time select “Compress.”
- Wait for the process to complete.
If you are only compressing one object, the ZIP file will be named after the object. However, ZIP files that contain more than one object will be named “Archive.zip.” You can touch and hold it to rename it.
Fortunately, iOS allows you to compress files right away. If you want to compress files in other compression formats, you will need to search for a third-party app in the App Store. iOS does not support other formats natively.
How to open ZIP files?
Now that you know how to create ZIP files, we’ll show you how to open them. Naturally, opening ZIP files is supported on both Windows and Mac OS X.
Mac
Opening ZIP files on Mac is easy as all you have to do is double-click them. Mac OS X already has built-in archiving features, including opening ZIP files. When you double-click ZIP files on Mac, they are automatically decompressed.
You can find the expanded file in the same directory, usually right next to the ZIP file. If not, it’s still in the same directory. The unzipped file will appear on your desktop if the ZIP file was opened there.
windows
One advantage Windows has over Mac is that users can take a look inside ZIP files without extracting their contents. A double click will allow you to open a ZIP file directly and you can access its contents. If you want to extract the compressed object or objects, follow these steps:
- Right click on the ZIP file.
- Select “Extract All.”
- Click “Extract” to extract to the same directory.
- If you want to extract the content elsewhere, browse to the location before performing Step Three.
- The extracted file will be in the same directory or custom location.
Alternatively, you can simply open the ZIP file and drag the contents to any location you want. Sounds convenient, right? It’s that easy.
Password Protected ZIP Files
ZIP files are convenient for sharing, but sometimes you want to keep your content hidden from others. This is where password protected ZIP files come in. After the ZIP file is encrypted, only a person with the password can open and access the contents.
While both Windows and Mac can password protect ZIP files naturally, the steps are not as simple. As such, it is best to download WinZip as it also offers better encryption options. The steps are the same for both operating systems.
- Download and install WinZip.
- Launch the program.
- Go to “Actions” and select “Encrypt.”
- Drag and drop your files and folders into the panel that just appeared.
- Enter a strong password.
- Select “OK.”
- Go to “Options” and select “Encryption Settings.”
- Set an encryption level and click “Save” to finish.
AES 128-bit is a common encryption option as it is very secure and takes no time to encrypt. 256-bit AES is the second option, but it takes longer to finish the encryption. That being said, you can choose what works for you.
When you want to share the encrypted ZIP file with another person, you must do so over a secure communication medium. Encrypted messaging platforms or encrypted email services are great ways to ensure that no one cracks your password.
A strong password contains numbers, symbols and letters. You can use a random password generator to create a strong password. The more security measures you take, the more difficult it will be for hackers to access the contents of the ZIP file.
Additional FAQs
What are ZIP files used for?
ZIP files are great for saving space and keeping your files organized in one place. Additionally, you can encrypt them so that only the right people can access their contents. Compared to uncompressed files, ZIP files are easier to share due to their smaller size, which also saves bandwidth.
File compression not working with my ZIP file?
Occasionally, ZIP files may become corrupted due to improper compression or downloading. Virus infections also cause errors.
Some files are also difficult to compress. Often, they are already compressed or may be encrypted. Compressed music, picture, and movie files won’t be much smaller even if you archive them in a ZIP file.
Save some space
Knowing how to create a ZIP file can save you a lot of space and bandwidth. Now you can include many photos and songs in an email after compressing them.
