File compression is a simple yet powerful way to save storage space, make file transfers faster, and keep your data organized. In Windows 10 and 11, you can compress files and folders without needing extra software, and you can also take advantage of more advanced tools for better results. This guide will walk you through the most effective file compression techniques step-by-step, tailored for beginners.
What is file compression in Windows?
File compression reduces the size of files and folders by reorganizing the data inside them so that they take up less storage space. Compressed files are easier to share via email, cloud storage, or USB drives. Windows supports ZIP compression natively, and you can also use dedicated utilities for better compression rates and features.
How to use Windows built-in ZIP compression
1. Locate the file or folder you want to compress in File Explorer.
2. Right-click it and select “Send to” > “Compressed (zipped) folder.”
3. Windows will instantly create a ZIP file in the same location with the same name.
4. Rename the ZIP file by right-clicking and selecting “Rename” if needed.
This is the fastest and most direct way to compress files in Windows without extra software.
How to extract compressed ZIP files in Windows
1. Right-click the ZIP file you want to open.
2. Select “Extract All.”
3. Choose a location where you want the extracted files to be saved.
4. Click “Extract” to complete the process.
Optimizing with NTFS folder compression
Windows also supports NTFS compression, which works at the file system level. This method is useful for documents, text files, and content that doesn’t need to be zipped manually.
1. Right-click the folder you want to compress.
2. Select “Properties.”
3. Click the “Advanced” button in the General tab.
4. Check the option “Compress contents to save disk space.”
5. Click “OK,” then “Apply.”
6. Choose whether to apply the compression to just the folder or the folder and all its files and subfolders.
This method keeps files accessible without the need to extract them but may cause slightly slower access for very large files.
Using Glary Utilities for advanced compression and cleanup
While Windows has basic compression tools, Glary Utilities can optimize your storage even further. It not only allows you to compress and manage files but also removes unnecessary temporary files before compression, maximizing space savings.
Example steps with Glary Utilities:
1. Open Glary Utilities and go to the “Disk Space” section.
2. Use the “Disk Cleanup” tool to remove unwanted files, ensuring only important data remains before compression.
3. Switch to the “File Compression” option to create ZIP or other archive formats with enhanced compression ratios compared to Windows default ZIP.
4. Save the compressed file to your preferred location for backup or sharing.
By cleaning up first, you reduce the amount of data to be compressed, which speeds up the process and creates smaller archives.
Practical example: Archiving old project files
If you have a folder of completed work from last year, you can reduce its size and store it safely:
1. Remove unnecessary files using Glary Utilities’ cleanup tool.
2. Zip the folder using either Windows built-in compression or Glary Utilities’ advanced compressor.
3. Move the compressed archive to an external drive, freeing up space on your main disk.
Following these steps ensures you are making the most of available storage space while keeping your files organized and portable. Whether you use Windows’ built-in tools or enhance the process with Glary Utilities, file compression remains one of the most practical ways to manage files and folders efficiently in Windows 10 and 11.