The files contain more data than the original unzipped versions, but the compression makes them an excellent way to move files quickly. You can easily transfer zipped files and folders between devices using cables, memory cards, USB drives, and external hard drives. If you need the data again, simply unzip the file or folder. This leaves just the zipped file, which takes up less space. When you ZIP a file or folder, it doesn’t change the contents or alter any of the information, so you can delete the original file.

wk3īenefits of Compressing Files and Folders Roughly 45-50% of a program file can be compressed, while you may compress around 80-90% of standard files (like image or text formats). However, the percentage of compression varies by the types of files you want to ZIP. The good news is you can ZIP just about any file format, including text, images, applications, and more.

If you ZIP a 16Mb file, the size is commonly reduced to around 6.5Mb, which decreases the amount of space needed to store it on your drive. ZIP is an archive format that compresses files and folders, changing the extension to. I’ll show you how to password protect your folders and add layers of encryption to keep cybercriminals out for good. If you’re looking for a way to secure your ZIP files, you’ve come to the right place. Cybercriminals and general snoops can still manipulate archived files, so it’s a good idea to add an extra layer of security. The format is convenient, but it’s not immune to the issues any shared file faces (especially on communal computers or cloud accounts). Regardless of how you use ZIP files, you should be aware of the risks.

Or perhaps you want to share several project files in a folder without sending multiple emails. Maybe you use ZIP files and folders to organize important documents while saving space.

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