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Zip files can be used for a lot different things.
What Are Zip Files?
Think of the way a folder works in Windows.
What if you have a folder that contains 20 files, and need to email it to someone?
This is where the definition of a zip file ends for most people.
With the zip file created, just select and drag your files into the zip folder.
The easiest way to unzip a file is to right-choose it and press Extract All.
By default, it will extract the contents to the same directory in which your zip file resides.
Just hit extract and a folder will be created that has all of the zipped files in it.
Click that link to be taken to their website and download the latest version of the program.
Installation is straightforward, just accept the license agreement and click next until 7-Zip is installed.
When you click “Add to archive” you’ll be presented with a bunch of options.
Let’s go through what each of these mean, and why they could come in handy.
Remember to use a strong password, sobrute forceand dictionary attacks become useless.
ZipCrypto is weak but has fewer compatibility issues.
AES-256 is much stronger but only works with newer systems (or with those that have 7-Zip installed).
take a stab at choose AES-256 when possible.
Encrypting file names- Sometimes file names can be just as important as the contents inside of a file.
Other times, maybe not.
That problem can be solved by creating a self-extracting archive, giving you the best of both worlds.
Executing the file will automatically start the extraction process.
Advantages- There are two big advantages to self-extracting archives.
First, you’re free to utilize the .7z file extension feature of encrypting file names.
Second, the receiving user doesn’t need any special software to launch the archive.
Double-smack the .exe, click extract, and you’re done unzipping the files.
Disadvantages- People won’t be too anxious to open up an executable email attachment.
Other than that little caveat, self-extracting archives are great.
A CD can hold 700MB of data, so you would need two discs.
But, how do you split up your file so it can fit on to those two discs?
With 7-Zip, that’s how.
Note that you cannot create a self-extracting archive if you choose to split your archive like this.
Encryption, however, is still possible.
To open a split archive, all of the pieces must be in the same location.
Related:How to Zip (and Unzip) Files on Windows 10
