This is another question that I hear all the time. Most computer beginners do not understand the concept of a zip file. Even intermediate computer users still don’t know how to properly handle zip files. I see people of all skill levels doing weird things with zip files. Things such as trying to access the data within the zip file without extracting. Or, saving the zip file itself when what they really want is the contents. It is clear that there is a lot of confusion regarding these special files. Help is on the way! Today we will do a lesson on the mysterious zip file.

A zip file is simply a container. It is used to send multiple files over a computer network (such as the internet) in one shot. You can add any kind of file to this container. The process of adding files to a zip file is called “compressing” or “zipping.” Once all the files are added to this container, it can then easily be sent to somebody else in one simple package. Sending can occur in a variety of ways such as via an email attachment, or by means of downloading from a website. When the zip file container has arrived at the destination, the user must do something to get at the contents of the container. The container itself is useless and boring; what we’re really after is the goodies inside the present! The process of attaining the contents of a zip file is called “extracting.” Once the contents has been extracted, the zip file can be safely deleted; just like disposable tupperware

You can think of a zip file LIKE a special type of folder (but make no mistake, like the name suggests, a zip file is not a folder; it is a file). A folder is worthless without the files within the folder. Once a folder has been emptied, it can be deleted with no loss. Similarly, a zip file can be deleted after the contents have been extracted.

Zip files make sending multiple files over the internet a treat. Another advantage of zip files is the compression aspect. As files are added to a zip file, they are compressed into a smaller file size. When the compressed contents of the zip file are extracted at the destination, the contents are actually “blown back up” to the original file size. This is a lossless process, which means that no data is lost at all. Suppose I have 5 pictures that I would like to email you. If I zipped the pictures first and attached the zip file itself, the size of the email would be much smaller than if I had just directly attached the 5 pictures to the email. In other words, a zip file is always smaller in file size than the summation of the entire contents individually. Did you get that?

Zipping Files Using Windows XP
1) Highlight all of the files that you would like to add to the zip file.
2) Click “file” at the top left corner. Alternatively, you can right click on the highlighted files.
3) Hover mouse over “Send To”
4) Click “Compressed (zipped) Folder”
5) You should now have a zip file containing all of the files you highlighted.

NOTE: The files still remain in their original location! Think of this operation as a “copy.” You are actually copying the files from their original location into the zipped container.

Extracting Files Using Windows XP
1) Highlight the zip file that you would like to extract. Alternatively, you can right click on the zip file.
2) Click “Extract All…”
3) Follow the wizard step by step.
4) You will now have a folder containing the contents of the zip file.

Does it make sense now? Questions or concerns? Voice them! I am always here to answer questions, big or small, good or bad. There is never such thing as a silly question, so please don’t hesitate. Comment below!

This entry was posted on Friday, July 11th, 2008 at 1:21 pm and is filed under Computer Software. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.