Zipping Files in Windows

To NewVillageIT (NVIT),

I don't think so, my objective is to upload the zipped file to a web server, I tried that "folder" & it failed.

I used to use WinZip, but it costs money & I don;t have it on Win 7.

WinZip is inexpensive and the payback in your time is very quick. My view at any rate.

Richard Korts--
Have you tried the Windows compression app?
Right click on the file you want to compress|Send To|click Compressed (zipped) folder.

If that fails when you upload to server, what happens?  Error messages?

If you want, a popular freebie is 7-zip

@Richard Korts - Thanks and I was happy to help.

Hi Richard,

> I tried that "folder" & it failed.

Seems that you're right. I've never used the zipping in W7, but I just tried it, and the context menu Send to says Compressed (zipped) folder. I'm with you — seems to me it should create a zipped file, not a folder. Anyway, as I said, I never use the zipping built into W7 because I'm a big fan of the free 7-Zip:
http://www.7-zip.org/

One word of caution — I don't recommend using its proprietary 7z format. Although it claims that it compresses 7z format 30-70% better than ZIP format, it would mean that the user on the other end would need to have 7-Zip. Better to stick with ZIP format. 7-Zip also claims to compress ZIP format 2-10% better than most other ZIP programs, but even if it doesn't, stick with its ZIP format. I've sent out a ton of ZIP files compressed with 7-Zip and never had a single person say it couldn't be unpacked. Regards, Joe

Oops...I see you already closed the question...guess I took too long to write the reply. :)  I hope it's helpful, anyway. Regards, Joe

Hi Joe,

> seems to me it should create a zipped file, not a folder.

Some additional info...

Using RT here... don't have Windows 7 ATM.

In Windows Explorer, it creates a .zip file but treats it like a folder, i.e. in the Navigation pane, it shows as a folder does.

In the CMD prompt, zip files show as other file types.

Hi NVIT,
I've been reluctant to try it, but I just gave it a spin in a W7/64-bit Pro sandbox — you are correct! It creates a plain ol' ZIP file. I have no idea why Microsoft uses the terminology "folder" in the context menu, but it creates a standard ZIP file that both my file manager (Total Commander) and 7-Zip had no problem unpacking. Thanks for the tip — learn something new every day. :)  Regards, Joe

To all,

I awarded the points to close it out. I don't know the right solution (if there is one).

It was too complex to explain the REAL objective, the web host had me ftp the file & they will "do the rest".

I still think it is a problem, I suspect John Hurst was the closest ; "Use WinZip".

Sometimes I cannot understand why Microsoft feels compelled to make is so hard.

> I don't know the right solution (if there is one).
> It was too complex to explain the REAL objective

Without knowing the real objective, it's impossible to come up with the right solution.

> I still think it is a problem

What's the problem? There's no difficulty creating a ZIP file if that is, indeed, the problem.

> I suspect John Hurst was the closest ; "Use WinZip".

I have all the respect in the world for John, but that is not the case. WinZip, 7-Zip, and W7 Windows Explorer [via right-click/Send to>Compressed (zipped) folder] all create a ZIP file. In that sense, WinZip is not doing anything that is different from the other two.

> Sometimes I cannot understand why Microsoft feels compelled to make is so hard.

I don't know why they call it "folder", but other than that, right-click/Send to>Compressed (zipped) folder isn't so hard. Regards, Joe

And no award to http:#a40719112