Everything You Need To Know About Different Compressed Files 📦
File compression helps in saving disk space of about 40%. There are many open and proprietary compression algorithms using which files can be compressed.
Although there is a long list of them some of the most common ones are ZIP, 7Zip, and RAR. Among others are Gzip, PKG, PAX, R2 etc. 
File compression is commonly used while sending emails or transferring data to storage devices.
These compressed files have a different icon such as colored folders or a pile of books or a folder with a zip. In order to view the files that are contained within them, one would need to extract them.
In order to extract data from a compressed file, one would have to determine which compression file type you are dealing with.
A file extension usually reveals about the type of compressed file. Extracting data from these files is also known as unzipping them. Here is a detail explanation on how to extract different types of compressed files.
#Different Ways To Extract Compressed Files 🤓
Extracting ZIP Archive In Windows: Windows users shouldn’t worry about adding any extra software to unzip a ZIP archive as this function has been included in its operating system.
In order to explore the content of a ZIP file in Windows all that is needed is a double click.
Once the contents are visible you need to extract these files for which you would have to right-click the ZIP file and select ‘Extract All’.
Remember the default has the same name as that of the ZIP file but the .zip file extension is not there. Also, you will get a dialog box asking you to enter the folder path where you want to save the extracted files.
In the checkbox check the ‘Show extracted files when complete’ so that the extracted folder after the extraction of zip folder is over. And then click on ‘Extract’ to begin extraction.
Earlier when Windows hadn’t included support for ZIP files, WinZip was used widely.
For those, who wish to have more control over this process can use WinZip to encrypt data or manage the extraction of other files. While there is a trial version for WinZip available, you would have to pay to use all its features.
Extract Files From 7-Zip: Not only 7-Zip software is free but can also deal with other formats such as RAR, ZIP, TAR etc. Extracting files from 7-Zip is quite easy.
On Windows the function integrates itself into the context menu so all you would have to do is right-click on the archive, hovering on 7-Zip then gives you more options where you need to select ‘Extract Here’.
Selecting this would bring up another window that shows you the progress of the extraction. Once that is done it will display a file where all the 7-Zip files are present. You can now click and view the content of the file.
Another way to extract files from 7-Zip is to hover on 7-Zip and select ‘Open Archive’ from the options. This will open a 7zip File Manager after which you would have to click on ‘Extract’.
This will open-up another 7-Zip window which will prompt you to save the location where you want to save the file. Once you select the location select ‘OK’.
You will then see a prompt showing the process of extraction. When this is complete you would be able to view the files.
Extract Data From an RAR File: RAR files can be opened by using WinRAR (paid software) or 7-Zip. Formats of ZIP, CAB, GZip, 7-Zip, TAR and ISO are all supported by WinRAR.
The method of extraction is the same, all you need to do is click on ‘File’ in the menu of WinRAR and select the ZIP file from the location where it is saved.
Click on ‘Extract to’ and pick a choice location to save the unzipped files on your computer. Next, you need to click on ‘Ok’ where you will be prompted a window showing you the process of extraction. Once the process is completed you would be able to see the files.
A RAR file can also be opened with WinZip. Here is how you need to do it.
To begin with, save the RAR file on the desktop, if the compressed files have been downloaded from a website it would be saved in the Downloads folder.
From the Start menu or desktop shortcut launch WinZip and then open the compressed file by clicking Open. If the system file extension is connected with WinZip program then simply double-click the file.
Select all the folders and files in the compressed file then click and unzip to the computer. Select the place where you want to save the file from and then click ‘Unzip’. Now all the extracted files will be available in the location you have saved it.
Other File Archive Tools: Apart from the mentioned above there are some other file archive tools available. Some of them are PeaZip, GZip and TAR which are used on Linux. However, there is a Windows version which is available for GZiptoo.
The concept of unzipping a compressed file remains the same for almost all types of files. Whether you are using Windows or Linux or Mac OS or any other operating system the archives can easily be extracted, saved and viewed on your system.
There is a long list of different types of compression files and the ones mentioned above are the most frequently used.
There may be a couple of steps that could be different for them however, the basic steps are the same. You simply have to select the right option and extract. It is suggested that you use the most frequently used tool so you have the option to unzip more compressed files.
#At Last, How To Make A Compressed File 📥
Just like extracting a compressed file, you’ll also need a software to make a file or folder compressed. Different softwares can make different compressed files which also declares the extension of your file too, so in future, you or somebody else can easily understand what software their computer’s need to extract that particular ‘Compressed File Extension’ in their storage drive.
In Windows, compressing a zip is actually a lot easier than any other software, because you’ll just need to locate the file or folder that you want to compress to zip.
And then, Press and hold (or right-click) the file or folder, select (or point to) Send to, and then select a compressed (zipped) folder. A new zipped folder with the same name is created in the same location.
“And that’s all for now, thanks for sticking with the article, and you know it will always good to let me know about the tutorial, in the comments down below.” 🙂
