Compress a File or Folder with 7-Zip

What you need

7-Zip is a free, open-source archive tool for Windows. Download it from the 7-Zip website and install it.

Steps

1. Open 7-Zip File Manager from the Start menu.
2. Select the file or folder you want to compress and click Add.

   

3. The Add to Archive window opens. Make sure Archive format is set to zip. You can also set a name, the compression level and a password. Click OK.

   

4. 7-Zip makes the zip file in the same folder as the original.

   

A faster way

Right-click the file or folder in Windows Explorer, then choose 7-Zip, then Add to "name.zip".

Extract a zip file

Right-click the archive, choose 7-Zip, then Extract Here or Extract to "name\".

Tips

• Use the 7z format for a smaller file, but the person who opens it also needs 7-Zip. Choose zip to share with everyone.
• Set a strong password and choose AES-256 encryption if the file is private.
• Text compresses very well. Photos and videos are already compressed and shrink little.

Quick recap

• Select the file, click Add, and keep the format zip.
• Or right-click and use the 7-Zip menu.