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XP offers integrated zip support

People never seem to have enough storage or bandwidth. A few years ago, we used different compression algorithms to compress files to store them on one or two floppies.

Times changed, and CD-R drives and the Internet grew in popularity. While we use the same compression programs, we now send large files over dial-up or slow Internet connections. One of the most popular compression methods is the zip file.

It wasn't that long ago when we had to use some third-party (in most cases) shareware zip applications. But these times are now gone, since Microsoft decided to integrate support for zip files into its operating systems, beginning with Windows Me. Windows XP is the second Microsoft OS that features integrated zip support.

You can work with zip archives just as you do with normal folders. To compress a file or folder, select it, right-click it, and select Send To | Compressed (Zipped) Folder. A simple wizard will launch that will guide you through the rest of the process. To see the contents of a zipped folder, just double-click it in Windows Explorer. Extracting files is similarly straightforward. Right-click the zipped folder and select Extract All.

The biggest advantage of integrated zip support is its simplicity. Nonetheless, many experienced users will still want to use some third-party product. Integrated zip support is available only in Windows Explorer but not from the command prompt. In addition, you can't create self-extracting archives or archives that span over several files.