Zipping Files and Folders

[ozbecky]

We are currently trying to decrease the size of our main drive by zipping old
documents and folders. I am looking for the best procedure for this space
reducing exercise. My question is: If you have a main folder which has
several folders containing several documents, Do you zip from the inside out
one by one or simply zip the main folder to achieve the smallest possible
result?

 

[DL]

Zip compresses differently depending on the file type, you can get a rough
idea by simply running Disk Cleanup and looking at the compressed files
option
INMO however if you are that low on disk space you should either consider
upgrading your drive or adding a new drive. Presumably you have looked at
the other options for optimising drive space?

 

[db ´¯`·.. >]

archiving your files with
the zip utility is really a
short term fix and
cumbersome.

no sooner than you know
it, your disk will fill up
again and you will have
the same problem.

what I would suggest
is to add another disk
to your system as a
slave drive.

the additional space
provided by a larger
disk will prove to be
beneficial.

if you do add a slave,
then you can change
the default location of
your "my documents"
folder system to the
new disk, with a click
of a button.

in the interim, you might
want to utilize 25 gigs of
free storage space and
upload some of those files
to microsoft's skydrive
service.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces

 

[Bob I]

Why not elect to compress old files as provided by the NTFS file system?
On the other hand, you would probably fare better by replacing the drive
with one that is correctly sized for your needs. (As far as zipping as a
space saving method, it is more appropriate for data transfer, data
backup/archiving rather than operational space saving)

 

[Someone]

You do not need to do this...

if you are running XP or Vista, you can use the built in compression
see video below in order to understand what I mean and how to do this:
http://www.computerboom.com/video_tutorials/compress-folders-ntfs/compress.htm

this is only an example folder! After compression you will notice that the
names of files and folders are blue
this means that they are compressed.. in the ending of the video I show the
space had before and after the compression

this is far easier than ziping folders since the files are normal files and
you can access them easier.

visit my blog for more tips and tricks
http://computerboom.blogspot.com