How to Compress a File With PKZip

PKZip is the original PC file compression program introduced in the late 1980s. It is the source of the jargon "zip" or "unzip" a file. PKZip compresses any computer file from 5 percent to 95 percent, depending on the file content, for easy transport through e-mail or on floppy diskette. PKZip is available free for personal use on Windows, DOS, OS/2 and Unix systems. This procedure describes PKZip Version 2.7 for Windows 95 and Windows 98.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet Service Providers
• PKZip Software

1. Start the PKZip program.

2. Click the new file icon below the File menu.

3. Enter a file name, and choose the directory where it will be saved. Entering the file extension (.zip) is optional; the program will automatically append the extension.

4. Click Save to create the .zip file.

5. Select the directory (folder) to be compressed, or open the directory containing the files to be compressed.

6. Click Add Directory to compress an entire directory, or select files to be compressed and click Add Files.

7. Click OK to begin file compression.

8. Click Done to complete the file, and view the file information (file list, date, time and percentage of compression).

Tips & Warnings

• Create a shortcut of PKZip, and move it to your desktop or Start menu for easy access.
• Use File Wizard, available in PKZip Version 2.7, to guide you through the creation of a new zip file.
• Select consecutive files quickly by holding the Shift key and clicking the first and last file names. Select nonconsecutive files by holding the Control key and clicking the file names.
• Clicking the sponsor ad or online button in PKZip automatically launches your Internet access software. This action can cause additional charges to your ISP bill if you are billed by connect time.