How to Compress Files in Windows

The ability to compress files for emailing or simply to save much needed space on a hard drive is a great little tool to have. Some sorts of files or folders will compress better than others, but all will get smaller. Your system will not be able to access things in the zipped folder as usual, however. Each time you wish to see the contents or use these files or folder, you must decompress them.

Things You'll Need

• Windows-based PC
• Mouse

Instructions

1. Locate the file or folder to be compressed.

2. 

   Right click the file or folder and scroll down to "Send to" (red arrow) and then "Compressed (zipped) Folder" (green arrow).

3. Delete the original file or folder, as it is all contained in the new *.zip file. To delete, simply right click original file and send to recycle bin.

Tips & Warnings

• Compare the size of the original file or folder to the new zipped one.

• This is great for storing things on a CD or DVD.