Adding files to an archive with 7-Zip is most commonly achieved by creating a new archive that includes your selected files and folders. The "Add to archive…" option directly initiates this process, allowing you to compress specified content into a new archive file.
Steps to Create a New Archive
To compress your files and folders into a new archive using 7-Zip, follow these detailed steps:
- Select Your Files and Folders: Begin by choosing the specific files and/or folders you wish to compress. You can select multiple items by holding down the
Ctrlkey and clicking each one, or by dragging your mouse to create a selection box. - Access 7-Zip Options: Right-click on any of the selected files or folders. A context menu will appear. From this menu, hover your mouse cursor over the "7-Zip" option, which will display a sub-menu with more commands.
- Start the Archiving Process: In the 7-Zip sub-menu, click on "Add to archive…". This action will open the "Add to Archive" dialog box, where you can customize the settings for your new archive.
- Name Your Archive and Choose Location:
- Within the "Add to Archive" dialog, locate the "Archive" field. Here, type in the desired name for your new ZIP file.
- If you wish to save your archive in a different directory than the current one, click the button on the right side of the "Archive" field (usually a '...' button). This will open a browser window, allowing you to navigate to and select your preferred saving location.
- Select Archive Format: Under the "Archive format" section in the same dialog box, choose "zip" from the available options. Selecting "zip" ensures broad compatibility for sharing your archive.
Once you have configured these settings, click "OK" to begin the compression process. Your new archive file, containing all the selected items, will be created at the specified location.
Important Considerations
- Initial Archiving: This method is primarily used for creating an archive from scratch using your selected content. If you need to add files to an existing archive, you would typically open the existing archive with 7-Zip File Manager and then drag-and-drop or use the "Add" button within the manager window.
- Format Choice: While the "zip" format is widely compatible, 7-Zip also supports its native "7z" format, which often provides superior compression ratios, making it ideal for reducing file sizes as much as possible.
- Data Protection: For sensitive information, the "Add to Archive" dialog box also offers options to encrypt your archive with a password, providing an extra layer of security.
