How to Corner for XP Zip File Utility
One feature that is built into Windows XP, which is not built into past versions of windows, is the XP Zip File Utility. This utility can be used to decompress (unzip) .zip files. What is a .zip file? A .zip file is like a suitcase that contains one or more files. The file or files are compressed so that the total size is smaller than they would be normally. Now there might be other ways of accomplishing the task mentioned below, but I have supplied instructions for the only ways that I am aware of. If you notice errors, or know of other ways, please send your comments to mailto:info@blind-corners.com.
With the XP Zip File Utility you can do two main things:
1. Extract Files; XP will take the files contained within a .zip file and put
them in any folder located on your hard drive.
2. Compress files; XP will take a file or group of files that you select, and
compress them into a single file.
With the XP Zip File Utility you can do the following:
Extract some of the files within a .zip file
Extract all files within a .zip file
Create a .zip file
To extract some of the files but not all of them, do the
following:
1. Find the .zip file on your computer.
2. Once you are on the .zip file, either hit the enter key, or you can hit the
applications key, arrow down to explore and hit enter.
3. This will bring up a separate window with the files listed that are
contained within the .zip file.
4. Select just the files that you are wanting to extract. To do this, first
place yourself on the first file in the list that you want to extract. Then
while holding down the control key, arrow down through the files and hit the
space bar on the files you want to select.
5. Hit alt E for the edit menu, arrow down to copy to folder, and hit enter.
6. This will bring up a copy to folder dialog box. You will be put on a copy
button.
7. Tab two times and you should hear, Select the place where you want to copy
these items.
8. You are in a tree view of your computer, arrow down one time and you should
hear, My computer open.
9. Now you can arrow up or down and select the folder that you want these files
to be extracted to. If you arrow up one time from my computer, you will be on
My Documents. If you arrow down from my computer two times, then you will be on
your local C Drive. Remember, if it says closed, just right arrow to open that
folder.
10. If you would like to make a new folder to extract these files in so they
will be easy to find, then just place yourself on the folder where you want to
put your new folder. For example, lets say you want to make a new folder that
will be in My Documents. From My Computer, arrow up one time to My Documents.
Tab one time to the make a folder button and hit the space bar. This will
automatically make a new folder and put you on that folder within MY Documents.
Just type in what you want to call this folder and hit enter.
11. Now that you are on the folder that you want your files to be extracted to,
just tab to the copy button and hit the space bar.
12. Your done! The files have been extracted to the place you wanted.
To extract all of the files within a .zip file to a
specified folder, do the following:
1. Find the .zip file on your computer.
2. Once you are on the .zip file, hit the applications key for the context
menu.
3. Arrow down to, extract all ... , and hit enter.
4. This will bring up the extraction wizard that will help you extract the
files. On the first screen, just hit the space bar on the next button.
5. You will be placed in an edit box where you can manually enter the directory
where you want the files extracted. The default directory already entered for
you is a folder by the name of the .zip file, which will be created within the
same directory where the actual .zip file is located. For example, lets say
that your .zip file is called test.zip and it is located in My Documents. The
default directory will be in a folder called test, which will be located in My
Documents. If you want to choose your own directory, then tab one time to the
browse button and hit the space bar.
6. After you know where the files will be extracted, tab to the next button and
hit the space bar.
7. The extraction process will start. Once done, just tab to the finish button
and hit the space bar.
8. Your files have been successfully extracted to the directory you wanted!
If you are wanting to take a file or files and put them into
a .zip file, then do the following:
1. Locate and select all of the files you are wanting to put into the .zip
file.
2. Hit the applications key, arrow down to send to, right arrow, then arrow
down to compressed (zipped) folder and hit enter.
3. This will automatically take the files you have selected and put a copy of
them into a .zip file. This .zip file will be located in the same place that
the files are located. The .zip file will have the name of one of the files,
from my experience, normally the last file you selected. For example, if the
last file you selected was called test.txt, then the .zip file that contains a
copy of all of the files will be more than likely called test.zip.
4. Your done! Your .zip file has been created!