In 1970, computer scientists used to perform mathematical algorithms in computer codes to find ways to decrease the file size. The process was time-consuming and agitating.
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Because of this crisis, there has been an ever-growing need to design file compression tools to reduce the size of any file. Yes, we can say that technology has shown its forecast with growing applications and in-built functions of file compression.
In this article, we will explain the ways to compress files in Windows and Mac to simplify your computer system’s disk drive. But before let’s grasp the understanding of File compression and why we need this.
What is File Compression and its various methods?
File compression is a process to decrease the file size to use less disk space. This process is used to send a file from a computer to another with a limited connection bandwidth. File compression is performed by the following methods:
Lossless Compression
This method uses data compression algorithms that enable the original data to be restored from the reduced data. Lossless file compression compresses a file without degrading its quality. Moreover, this compression uses Run Length Encoding (RLE), Huffman Coding and Lempel-Ziv-Welch (LZW) algorithms.
Lossy Compression
This method results in degrading data and quality from the original version of the file. This procedure is related to JPEG image format and audio files like MP3s or AAC files. Moreover, lossy compression uses fractal compression, Transform coding, DWT, RSSMS, and DCT.
Now, we will share the method to compress files in different Operating Systems.
How To Compress Files In Windows?
Here is the good news for newbies, who wish to learn file compressing in an easy method. Windows 10 comes with the support of file compression. So you don’t need any third-party applications to reduce the file size of your document. Follow the steps below to start the procedure:
Go to the File Explorer, by pressing window key + E simultaneously. Select the file/folder you wish to compress. By right-click select Add to archive.
A new window box will appear, where you have to choose the archive format, rename file, and compression method.
Your compressed file will look like this. I chose the ZIP archive format to compress the file.
How To Compress Files In Mac?
The reason behind compressing a file is that it takes less space than uncompressed files on your hard disk. Mac devices offer in-built compression option for ZIP format. Follow these steps to compress a file:
Select Finder and choose the file/folder you wish to compress.
Choose Compress “File Name”. And your file will be compressed in ZIP format
A new copy of the file will be created which will be in the ZIP format.
Using Third-Party File Compression Tools For Mac and Windows
You can use third-party tools for file compressions as well. Here are the third-party apps to use for your files and folders.
7-Zip (Windows)
This is a free, open-source compressing tool mainly runs on Windows. This is a free, open-source compressing tool mainly runs on Windows. With the help of this tool, you can easily transfer an open compressed file or large data with ease. 7-zip can package file formats into 7z, ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2, and TAR formats.
You can download it from here.
IZArc (Windows)
This software is freeware but not an open-source. IZArc works with a ZIP, RAR, GZIP, tar.gz, bzip2, and 7z formats.
Additionally, IZArc also opens file formats like ISO, BIN, CDI and NRG. This software supports 256-bit AES encryption which helps secure your data
You can download it from here.
Compress Video Files For Mac
WinZip (Mac)
This software helps in opening the major compressed file formats such as Zip, Zipx, RAR, LHA, 7Z, JAR, WAR. This software can open different compressed file formats and also creates Zip files including Zipx files, WinZip’s smallest file size to date.
You can download from here.
The Unarchiver (Mac)
This software is easy to use that can compress files with ZIP, RAR, Gzip, Bzip2. This software also supports 7-zip, LhA, StuffIt and obscure format.
You can download from here.
What are the common image formats and best uses:
BMP
BITMAP (BMP) files are the image format that is used by Microsoft operating systems. We can’t use BMP for web purposes. These BMPs stores color data of each pixel image without compression. A bitmap is also called a raster graphic, which is a digital image formed by a matrix of dots.
EPS
Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) file formats are used in professional printing. This format is used in vector-based images including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW. Additionally, this file is also compatible with PostScript printers which are used for transferring files between several graphic applications.
GIF
A GIF stands for Graphics Interchange Format, which is mainly used in web graphics. This format is used widely after JPEG. This image format uses lossless compression, which means it doesn’t noticeably degrade the original image.
JPEG
JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group. This format used in digital cameras to store photos because it supports 224 or 16,777,216 colors.
Moreover, it uses lossy compression. This format may reduce the size of the bitmap (BMP) file format without any degradation in quality.
PNG
PNG stands for Portable Network Graphics. This file format is used for application graphics and also widely used on the Web.
This format supports an alpha channel and “RGBA” color space. There are three standard color channels (red, green and blue) with 256 levels of transparency.
Some other common file formats are PDF, PSD, TIFF, RAW and many more.
Final Word
There can be chances when we may run out of the storage space from our operating system. So of the most efficient ways is to compress the file or folder to save our system’s disk space.
By compressing a file, data uses less space, and we can easily share the files more quickly.
Compress Files For Mac
This was a quick guide to understand how to compress files in Windows and Mac. If I missed out at any point, let me know in the comment section below along with your views.
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By Gina Barrow, Last updated: August 27, 2019
Are you new to compressing folders onMac? Today we will find out everything there is to know about how folder compression works, how to process it, why it is important and what are the best ways to efficiently and easily compress folders on Mac.
Part 1. Brief Introduction to Compressing Folders
File compression began way back in the 1970s where scientists were searching for ways to reduce file sizes through working with algorithms. Since then, the development of various computing processes and technologies kept on evolving until today.
What is a Zip File?
A zip file is an archive format that is supported by lossless compression. It allows a number of compression algorithms which reduces the file size. Today, we can easily locate a zip file because its extension ends with .ZIP/.zip (for multimedia files: application/zip) and with the zipper icon.
It was first used publicly by Phil Katz in 1989, in replacement to the ARC compression format made by Thom Henderson.
How does compression work on Mac?
If you work with data transfers almost every day, files compression could be your ultimate solution for ease of use, size, and transfer time.
Just like we mentioned earlier, compressing files takes up lesser disk space, and files can be easily sent and received more quickly.
Compression is done by working with the computer codes and has two different types:
Types of Compression
There are two types of compression known today, first is lossless and the next is lossy. Lossless compression is focused more on searching long codes and replaces them with shorter ones and recreates the same exact file.
Lossy compression, on the other hand, searches for codes it can delete and mostly used for multimedia files. A file on lossy compression seems to be identical but is entirely different at the code level.
Part 2. Advantages of Compressing Folders on Mac
Every byte counts if you're short on disk space or when you're sending a large file over the Internet. This is where file compression comes in. File compression has several advantages that users can highly benefit from.
Storage Space
Lossless compression, used in zip file technology, can reduce a file to 50 percent from its original size. Some files such as documents can be zipped and reduced to 90% from its original size. Thus file compression saves you a lot of space in your disk and you can use it for more important storage options.
Transfer Speed
If you happen to notice that all your downloads are in kept inside zipped files, this is because it takes a faster time to transfer these data when they are compressed rather than individually.
Compressing Files For Email
These compressed files use lesser bandwidths (the speed used for network transfers).
Cost
Using archives or software for file compression can save you lots of money because it reduces the cost of purchasing a new hard drive for more storage. If all files inside your desktop are organized and compressed, you will have more space to use for other programs required by the system.
Part 3. How to Compress Folders on Mac Using PowerMyMac – Unarchiver
FoneDog PowerMyMac – Unarchiver is a powerful tool you can use in compressing and decompressing files on Mac. This special program has a complete toolkit that works seamlessly to any issues hindering you from getting the most from your device.
This software can be anything you need, a Mac cleaner, optimizer, keeper, uninstaller, unarchiver, and many more.
FoneDog PowerMyMac – Unarchiveralso supports decompressing of files from .RAR and .7z on Mac. Using this tool is so easy!
Simply launch FoneDog PowerMyMac – Unarchiverand proceed to Unarchiver under Toolkit. Meanwhile, you can also choose to scan your Mac to check its health status from the main menu.
Select or drag/drop the files you want to decompress. Click Compress to continue
Wait until the program successfully finishes decompressing
To compress files on your Mac and you got the program installed; all you need is to double-click on the file/s and it will be zipped into .RAR or .72 file format. All files you have compressed and decompressed will have the PowerMyMac icon beside.
Part 4. How to Compress Folders on Mac Manually
Compressing files or folders on Mac is so easy because it already has a built-in compression and decompression option which uses ZIP file format. Each Mac has different compression capabilities depending on its processor. Some file compression can take time especially if you are using older models. Macs with faster processors and bigger RAM can compress and decompress files quicker.
How to zip a file on Mac?
Right-Click
Choose the file/folder you want to compress from Finder
Right-click on the file to show the pop-up menu. You can also use CTRL + Click
Select Compress + your file name
Wait until Mac successfully compresses your file. You can now see that the file/s ends in .ZIP
You can now delete the original file (optional)
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Using terminal
You can also opt to use the terminal in archiving and compressing files. Simply use the command:
zip archive.zip file.txt
Alternatively, you can use the drag & drop support, by typing ‘zip’ as usual but drop the file/s to compress into the Terminal command.
How to compress multiple folders at a time?
Select the file/folder you need to compress in finder
Right-click on the file/folder and select “Compress __ items”
Wait until compression is done and check the file/folders ending in.ZIP
Multiple files or folders compressed will end in Archive.zip
How to Open a Zip file on Mac:
Double-click the zip file/folder you need to decompress
If you are unzipping a single file, it will have the same file name as the original file but with a number appended.
For zip files containing multiple items, the unzipped files will be decompressed and saved in a folder that has the same name as the zip (for example Archive.Zip) but it will be named Archive only.
Part 5. Conclusion
Compressing files and foldersonMac does not need to be intimidating. If you want to practice saving more space and enjoy faster data transfer, you can conveniently use the built-in compressor on your Mac. Otherwise, if you need more tools to keep up with all you need, try FoneDog PowerMyMac. It has all the complete and comprehensive solution!
Do you have any concerns regarding compressing your files on Mac? Comment us below!
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