Creating TAR, 7z, and Zip Archive Files on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Key Notes

  • Windows 11 24H2 introduces TAR and 7z support.
  • Choose compression options for each archival format.
  • Encryption features still require third-party tools.

Mastering File Compression: Create TAR, 7z, and Zip Files on Windows 11

With the introduction of new features in Windows 11, users can now effortlessly create TAR, 7z, and Zip files right from File Explorer. This guide will navigate through the steps for creating these important file formats.

Creating TAR, 7z, and Zip Archive Files on Windows 11

Windows 11 has rolled out native support for TAR, 7z, and Zip file creation as of the 24H2 update, enhancing how users manage their files. Below, we’ll walk through the steps to create each of these archival formats.

Step 1: Generate a TAR Archival File on Windows 11

Follow these steps to create a TAR file:

  1. Launch File Explorer on your PC.
  2. Navigate to the folder containing the files or folders you wish to compress.
  3. Right-click the file or folder, hover over “Compress to, ” then click “Additional options.”

  4. (Optional) Click the Browse button to select a desired location for the archive. Pro Tip: The default saving location is the folder where the original files reside.

  5. Select the “tar (GNU)” option under “Archive format.” Pro Tip: Utilizing the “Gzip” setting is typical for creating a “.tar.gz” file.
  6. Choose your preferred compression method from options such as BZip2, Gzip, xz, or Zstandard.
  7. Decide on the desired compression level.
  8. (Optional) Select “Retain symbolic links” to keep pointers intact between files.
  9. (Optional) Enable “Retain hard links” to ensure file reference is preserved on your storage device.
  10. Hit the Create button.

Once completed, the TAR archive will be generated based on the settings you configured.

You can also leverage the default compression method and level by right-clicking and selecting “Compress to” followed by “TAR File.”

Step 2: Generate a 7z Archival File on Windows 11

To create a 7z file, use these steps:

  1. Start File Explorer.
  2. Find the folder with the desired files to compress.
  3. Right-click the file or folder, select “Compress to, ” and then click “Additional options.”
  4. (Optional) Click the Browse button to designate where to store the archive.
  5. Choose the “7zip” option from the “Archive format” dropdown.
  6. From the compression method options for the 7z file, select Store, Deflare, BZip2, LZMA1, LZMA2 (default), or PPMd.
  7. Select the level of compression.
  8. (Optional) Check “Retain symbolic links” to keep symbolic links active.
  9. Click the Create button.

After completing these steps, a 7z file will be created on your system.

You can also open and extract the 7z file using File Explorer for convenient access.

For the default settings, right-click the target files, select “Compress to, ” and opt for “7z File.”

Step 3: Generate a Zip Archival File on Windows 11

To create a Zip file, follow these instructions:

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Navigate to the folder containing the files you want to compress.
  3. Right-click the file or folder, select “Compress to, ” and click “Additional options.”
  4. (Optional) Click the Browse button to specify the archive’s storage location.
  5. Select the “Zip” option from the “Archive format” setting.
  6. Choose the compression method, such as Store or Deflare .
  7. Select the compression level you desire.
  8. (Optional) Enable “Retain symbolic links” to maintain any symbolic links.
  9. Press the Create button.

Once you’ve completed the procedure, the Zip file with your specified compression settings will be generated.

Accessing the Zip file is easy via File Explorer, just as it always has been.

For a speedy option, right-click the file or folder, choose “Compress to, ” and select “Zip File.”

Additional Tips

  • Always verify that your backups are intact before compression.
  • Sign out of cloud services before creating the archives to avoid any interference.
  • Utilize dedicated tools for creating encrypted archives if security is a priority.

Summary

The integration of TAR, 7z, and Zip file creation in Windows 11 24H2 update empowers users with flexible file management options. By following the outlined steps, you can quickly compress files while tailoring the archive settings to your needs.

Conclusion

With these new capabilities in Windows 11, creating and managing various types of archives has never been easier. Make sure you take advantage of these features for efficient file handling and organization.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can I create encrypted Zip files in Windows 11?

No, Windows 11’s native options do not currently support encrypted archives; you will need to use third-party tools like 7-Zip for this functionality.

What formats can I extract with Windows 11?

You can extract files from Zip, TAR, 7-Zip, and RAR formats as long as they aren’t encrypted.