Basics Zipping is the act of packaging a set of files into a single file or archive. The archive is called a zip file. Usually, the files in a zip file are compressed so that they take up less storage space and take less time to transfer files. There are several popular tools that can be used for zipping files: WinZip and Netzip for Windows, MacZip for Macintosh users, and Zip and UnZip for UNIX systems. The result of zipping is a single file with a ".zip" suffix. After you receive a zip file, you will need to extract and decompress the file by using the same kind of tool that was used to zip the original file.
How Do I Get an Unzip Program?As mentioned above there are several popular Zip and Unzip programs available for download on the internet. You can visit www.tucows.com to download any of the programs mentioned above.
However, PowerArchiver is the only Zip/Unzip software program supported by the ITS HelpDesk. On Campus:
Students: In the computer labs, double-click the Internet Tools folder on the desktop then double-click on the PowerArchiver Icon.

Faculty/Staff:
Open the Server Applications folder, and then double-click on the Internet Tools folder. Next, drag the PowerArchiver icon on to your desktop and double-click on the icon.

If you do not have a Server Applications folder on your desktop, please see the What is the Server Applications folder flyer for instructions on creating a shortcut on your desktop. How Do I Use PowerArchiver?How to Unzip a File:
  1. Click Open to open the file you wish to unzip.
  2. Browse for the file you wish to unzip.
  3. Select the file and click on the Open button.
  4. Now that the file is unzipped you may open the files by double-clicking on them. If the files you unzipped are program files you will need to extract them.
  5. In order to extract the files, first select them, then click the Extract button.
  6. Browse to find the location to put the files, then click the Extract button to finish.

How to Zip Files:
  1. Open PowerArchiver.
  2. Go to File menu and, select the option New Archive
  3. In the File name text box, type the name of what you wish to call the zip file, and take note of where you wish to save the file before clicking the Save button.
  4. On the Add window browse and select the file(s) you wish to add to the zip file then click the Add Button.
  5. To select multiple files, hold the control key and select the files. If you wish to add additional files, click on the Add button from the main PowerArchiver window then repeat step 4.
  6. When you have finished adding files simply close PowerArchiver.