A compression software or compression utility is software that compresses and decompresses data. Likewise, most operating systems have in-built tools for managing compressed files. In other words, file(s) take less storage space on a system after compression. Windows can create and extract .zip files, and Linux has tools for .tar.gz and .zip file types.
If you have downloaded files from the internet, there’s a good chance that you have heard about .zip files. File compression software compresses files and folders to create compressed files in various formats like .zip, .tar.gz, .rar, .7z, and more. By far, a majority of users use the .zip format.
File compression software: yay or nay?
You can compress files using your operating system’s built-in tools or file compression software. Third-party software offers an extra set of features and a dedicated utility for managing compressed data.
But what good is compression software? For instance, file compression can save you a lot of time, space, and work to do. File compression software has a long list of advantages. Above all, these are the following reasons why you should use file compression utilities:
- Efficient sharing: Sharing multiple files to other users is more convenient when you compress the files to create a single zipped file, and decreasing the effective size of the files.
- Easier accessibility: Compressing files and folders is better for accessibility as making documents smaller in size and having a single collection of them makes it easier to access them on all devices.
- Long-term storage: To store data for longer periods of time, it is better to compress the data and store it. The overall process is more convenient and safer.
Should you use file compression software? It’s a no-brainer for most users, but you should give it a chance if you aren’t already. Compression saves you a lot of time. Sharing multiple files and folders can sometimes become a lengthy process, and sharing just one zipped file is always easier.
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