ZIP File

Category: archive

What is a ZIP File?

A Zip file as an archive compression file that supports lossless data compression. Created in 1989 and first used in the PKZIIP utility it has since come to be supported by both Windows and Apple. The zip archive can contain one or many file types. For example, you can compress jpg, png, pdf, etc, within the same zip folder. This is possible because each file is stored in the archive separately, thus allowing for different kinds of compression for each file format. Because each file is archived separately in the zip folder it also means that individual files can be deleted and new ones added with affecter the other files in the archive. Because of the wide use of zip files, there are many programs that can read and edit them, this makes the zip file one of the most convenient file compression methods.

How to Open ZIP Files

File Viewer Plus

WinZip

RARLAB WinRAR

ConeXWare PowerArchiver

Smith Micro StuffIt Deluxe

7-Zip

B1 Free Archiver

Incredible Bee Archiver

The Unarchiver

B1 Free Archiver

Keka

Smith Micro StuffIt Deluxe

B1 Free Archiver

How to Make ZIP Files

Exact steps for creating ZIP files will vary by program and operating system. Download one of the above listed programs and you should be able to follow typical procedure for opening files or creating files from the File menu. Typically you will select File > Open or File > New and continue through the prompts. Some programs may follow a different procedure for either creation or opening of files.