How to Compress Files for Backup
By Noah Kain
When working on computers, backing up files and storing them can become a problem very quickly. If your computer is on the verge of running out of hard drive space, you should back up and compress the files on your computer. Doing so will ensure that your computer has enough free space to continue running smoothly and also that you do not lose any files that you want to save. Compressing files for backup only requires a few easy steps.
Step 1
Locate the files you want to compress and put them in a new folder. Before you begin compressing your files, you are going to need to put them in one place. Make a new folder on your desktop and then drag the files you want to compress into the folder.
Step 2
Name your folder. When compressing files for backup, you need to stay as organized as possible. This is because, in the future, when you want to uncompress your backup files, you are going to want to know what is in each compressed file. Make the name of the folder you are going to compress something specific to the files you are placing in the folder.
Step 3
To compress the files in your folder, select the folder and then right-click it. A menu should come up on your screen. Click the option on the menu that is titled "Compress folder." This will compress the folder into what is known as a zip file that is suitable for storing on a backup drive.
References
Writer Bio
Noah Kain began writing in 2008 for Baltimore Metromix, reviewing restaurants, music and national politics. In 2010 he had three poems published in "Stevenson University's Spectrum Literary Magazine" and has also recorded albums and toured with his band, Mother Nature's Son. Kain graduated from Stevenson University with a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies and a focus in English and film.