How To Use Compressed (Zipped) Folders in Windows XP (306531)

SUMMARY

This step-by-step article describes how to create and use compressed (or "zipped") folders in Windows XP. You can use compressed folders to store files in a compressed format that uses less space than normal, and if needed, you can protect those files with a password.

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How to Create a Compressed Folder

To create a compressed folder, use either of the following methods.

• Open My Computer:
  1. Double-click My Computer, and then open the folder where you want to make the compressed folder. For example, if you want to make a compressed folder in the root folder of drive C, double-click My Computer, and then double-click drive C to open the root folder.
  2. On the File menu, point to New, and then click Compressed (zipped) Folder.
  3. Type a name for the new compressed folder, and then press ENTER. Your new compressed folder appears as a folder icon with a zipper.
• Right-click a blank area on the desktop or in a folder:
  1. Right-click a blank area in an open folder or on the desktop, point to New, and then click Compressed (zipped) Folder.
  2. Type a name for the new compressed folder, and then press ENTER. Your new compressed folder appears as a folder icon with a zipper.

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How to Add Items to or Remove Items From a Compressed Folder

• Moving files and folders: Moving files and folders to or from compressed folders works the same as with normal uncompressed folders. For example, you can drag files or folders to the compressed folder. When you place a file in a compressed folder, that item is automatically compressed. A file that is moved from a compressed folder is automatically uncompressed.
• Extract all files: When you open a compressed folder, the Extract all files command appears in the Folder Tasks list. When you click Extract all files, the Extraction Wizard starts. You are prompted to choose a location to place the extracted files, and then the files are extracted.
  
  NOTE: The original compressed files remain in the compressed folder.

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How to Use Password Protection

Files and folders in compressed folders can be protected by using a password. To password protect the contents of a compressed folder:

1. Double-click the compressed folder that you want to password protect.
2. On the File menu, click Add a Password.
3. In the Password box, type the password that you want to use. Type the same password in the Confirm Password box, and then click OK.

Note that when you attempt to move or open a password-protected file, a Password Needed dialog box appears. Type the correct password in the Password box, and then click OK.

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Troubleshooting

The password for a password-protected compressed file is not recoverable. If you lose the password, you will be unable to access that file.

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