Zip (file format)
Zip is one of the most known archive file formats, with support for lossless data compression. What makes this format so special is that it may contain one or more compressed files or folders.
This makes it ideal when having to transfer folders over services that allow singular file transfers. There are plenty of ways you can create a zip file, some of which involve simply using your OS’s native tools.
However, using a third-party archiving tool is your best bet. Not only are they designed to compress the data faster, but they also allow you to select from a number of file formats.
Any type of data that is stored on your PC can be zipped into a larger archive. These can include docs, multimedia files, software components, entire games, and more.
Additionally, there is no limit to large a file can be in order for you to zip it safely, and depending on the contents and the type of the file, the zip can be more or less efficient.
The zip file format has evolved over the years, with some emphasizing data compression, while others focus on lossless compression as much as possible.
There are even sub-formats out there that allow both high compression and lossless compression, but zipping and unzipping can take a lot of time, and a lot of system resources as well.
Just like with creating zip files, opening them is best done with the help of third-party tools. Here are some of the best tools that you can use to open zip files:
Quick tips to handle zip files with ease
- How to unzip ISO files on Windows 10 & Mac
- How to turn a folder into a ZIP file
- How to extract multiple zip files
- How to unzip/unpack IMG files
- How to unzip/extract XZ files
For more guides on how to use and troubleshoot various errors with Zip archives, don’t hesitate to visit our comprehensive File Compression section.