How2.ZIP
Learn how to compress and decompress files easily with How2.ZIP. Our comprehensive guides cover popular tools like 7-Zip, WinRAR, PeaZip, Bandizip, and ExtractNow, helping you efficiently manage your files. Discover step-by-step tutorials, tips, and best practices for file compression and extraction.
Table of Contents
Zip and Unzip Tutorials for Windows
[Windows]Top 6 Tools for Compressed Files:
Please make sure you have installed compression and decompression software before compressing or decompressing files. If your Windows version does not include built-in compression tools, you will need to download one.
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7-Zip
7-Zip is a popular, free file compression utility that is widely recognized for its ability to handle a variety of archive formats. This software, available exclusively for Windows users, is known for its high compression performance, making files smaller and therefore easier to share or store.
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WinZip
WinZip is a renowned file compression and decompression software, offering advanced features and cross-platform compatibility, including for Windows, iOS, and Mac. It stands out for its ability to integrate the cloud and its numerous additional features in its premium editions.
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WinRAR
WinRAR is a powerful and widely-used file compression tool known for its high compression ratio and extensive support for various archive formats including RAR, ZIP, and more. It offers a user-friendly interface, both graphical and command-line options, and advanced features such as file encryption, repair functions, and the ability to split large archives into smaller parts.
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PeaZip
PeaZip is a versatile and open-source file archiver that supports over 180 archive formats, including ZIP, RAR, and TAR. It is available for multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, and BSD. PeaZip emphasizes security with strong encryption, two-factor authentication, and secure file deletion, while remaining a free and user-friendly option for file management.
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Bandizip
Bandizip is a file compression and decompression tool that stands out for its fast processing and advanced features. Suitable for Windows and Mac users, it is both powerful and easy to use, providing a reliable alternative to other compression tools.
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ExtractNow
ExtractNow is a simple and efficient file extraction utility that supports multiple compression formats such as ZIP, RAR, 7Z, and more. Its user-friendly interface allows you to quickly extract files without complex settings or configurations.
How to Zip (Compress) Files Using Windows Built-in Tools:
In the search box on the taskbar, type file explorer, and then select it from the list of results. Right-click the file you want to zip,
and then select Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder.

[Windows]How to Zip (Compress) Files Using Third-Party Software
- 2024-07-26» How to Use WinZip to Compress Files
- 2024-07-26» How to Use WinRAR to Compress Files
- 2024-07-26» How to Use PeaZip to Compress Files
- 2024-07-26» How to Use ExtractNow to Compress Files
- 2024-07-26» How to Use Bandizip to Compress Files
- 2024-07-26» How to Use 7-Zip to Compress Files
Zip and Unzip Tutorials for macOS
Please ensure that you have the necessary compression and decompression software installed before working with files. macOS includes built-in tools for basic compression and decompression, but if you need additional features, consider downloading a third-party application.
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Finder
Finder is macOS's built-in file management tool, which includes basic compression and decompression capabilities. With Finder, users can easily create and extract ZIP files directly within the macOS environment without the need for additional software.
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The Unarchiver
The Unarchiver is a free and easy-to-use file extraction utility for macOS. It supports a wide range of file formats, making it a versatile tool for decompressing archives. This tool integrates seamlessly with macOS and is a popular choice for users looking to handle various types of compressed files.
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Keka
Keka is a powerful file compression and decompression tool for macOS. It offers a user-friendly interface and supports numerous formats, including ZIP, 7Z, RAR, and more. Keka is known for its high compression ratios and ease of use, making it a preferred choice for Mac users seeking advanced compression features.
How to Zip (Compress) Files Using macOS Built-in Tools:
Open Finder and locate the file or folder you want to compress. Right-click (or Control-click) on the file or folder, then select "Compress [file/folder name]" from the context menu. A ZIP file will be created in the same directory.

[macOS]How to Zip (Compress) Files Using Third-Party Software
- 2024-07-26» How to Use The Unarchiver to Extract Files
- 2024-07-26» How to Use Keka to Compress and Extract Files
Zip and Unzip Tutorials for Linux
[Linux]Top 3 Tools for Compressed Files:
Linux distributions come with built-in command-line tools for compression and decompression tasks. Below are some of the most commonly used tools for these operations.
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Tar
Tar is a standard Unix utility used for collecting many files into one archive file, often used in combination with a compression utility such as gzip or bzip2. It’s a versatile tool included with most Linux distributions.
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Gzip
Gzip is a popular data compression program used to compress and decompress files. It's widely used on Unix-like systems and works in combination with Tar for compressing archive files.
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XZ Utils
XZ Utils is a set of free software for lossless data compression. It provides the `xz` command for high compression ratio and supports the `.xz` format. On Linux, you can use `xz` to compress and decompress files. It is known for its high compression efficiency and is commonly used for compressing files in Linux environments.
How to Zip (Compress) Files Using macOS Built-in Tools:
Open your terminal and navigate to the directory containing the file or folder you want to compress. Use the `zip` command to compress the file or folder. Here’s a basic example:
zip -r archive_name.zip folder_name/
This command will create a ZIP file named `archive_name.zip` containing the contents of `folder_name`.
For more detailed options and usage of the `zip` command, please refer to our detailed ZIP tutorial or the official zip documentation.
[Linux]How to Zip (Compress) Files Using Third-Party Software
- 2024-07-26» How to Use zip to Compress Files on Linux
- 2024-07-26» How to Use xz to Compress Files on Linux
- 2024-07-26» How to Use tar to Compress Files on Linux
- 2024-07-26» How to Use gzip to Compress Files on Linux