Convert Archives - Converts One or More Archives From One Type Into Another With a Single Action.

Act On File Windows Compatibility Seals

This section discusses the Convert Archives functionality of the Compressor module.
The Convert Archives functionality is used to duplicate the content of an archive, allowing the user to create another archive from it which has different properties. For example, a simple and common use of the functionality is to make an already existing archive into a self-extractor archive. The Convert Archives functionality is able to convert (change the properties of) one or more archives with a single action without the need to open the archives explicitly. After one selects the archives that they want to convert in Windows Explorer, they simply invoke the Convert Archives functionality from the Act On File context menu. Then adjust the settings, click the OK button and wait for the module to complete its work. The Convert Archives functionality allows the user to convert multiple archives with just a few mouse clicks.
Capture: Convert Archives
Convert Archives

Operation

To convert archives, you need to select the archives that you want to convert in the selected items control of the Convert Archives functionality. After these archives are selected, you need to adjust the operation controls, the target location and any additional environmental operations before clicking the OK button to start the conversion process.

Controls

  
Selection Controls
Convert Archives Selection Controls
These controls are used to select and display the files and folders for the operation. In addition to the Add Files, Add Folders and Remove buttons, you can use the standard clipboard, drag and drop, and keyboard operations.
Converted Archives Properties Controls
Convert Archives Converted Archives Properties Controls
These controls are used to set the target archive type.
New Archives (Volume) TypeChoose the target archive volume disposition.
Single VolumeCreates an archive which is a single file. There are no restrictions on the file size up to 2^64 bytes (over 18 quintillion bytes).
Span on DriveThe new archive must be saved on a removable media device. This option causes the archive to be split into parts, filling up the available space on the current media in the selected drive, i.e. spanning on the removable media.
1.44 MB - floppyCreates an archive split into parts with a size of 1.44 MB. The last part of the archive may be smaller.
650 MB - CDCreates an archive split into parts with a size of 650 MB each. The last part of the archive may be smaller.
700 MB - CDCreates an archive split into parts with a size of 700 MB each. The last part of the archive may be smaller.
4.7 GB - DVDCreates an archive split into parts with a size of 4.7 GB each. The last part of the archive may be smaller.
8.5 GB - DVDCreates an archive split into parts with a size of 8.5 GB each. The last part of the archive may be smaller.
Custom SizeCreates an archive split into parts with a size entered by the user (minimum is 65,535 bytes). The last part of the archive may be smaller.
Make Self-extractorsSet this checkbox to add a small executable file in front of the archive which is able to decompress the archive on machines without installed archiving software. The compound file is an .exe file. Clear this flag to keep the archive as a normal .zip file.
Recompress All Files Using Algorithm TypeSet this checkbox to recompress the files of the selected archives as they are transferred into the newly-created converted archives using the selected algorithm. Clear this flag to transfer the data to the converted achieves as it is. If this flag is set, any encrypted file will need to be first decrypted in order to be recompressed. In this case the password(s) for decryption will be requested at the time of decompression (and decryption) of the respective file and archive. To encrypt the data in the converted archive, one can use the encryption option below or the Open Archive functionality as a separate action after the conversion is complete.
zipThis is the standard deflate (zip compatible) algorithm.
bzip2This is the bzip2 algorithm.
storeThis algorithm stores the data with no compression. This option is suitable for already compressed, random or pseudorandom data which cannot be compressed efficiently.
[best]This method tries all other methods and uses the best compression for each particular file.
Remove any existing encryption from transferred filesSet this checkbox to transfer any encrypted data from a source archive into the converted archive as decrypted data. Clear this flag to move the data over as it is. Note that when recompressing an archive, this flag will be automatically set due to the nature of the operation of recompression.
Encrypt non-encrypted files when transferring them to new archiveSet this checkbox to add non-encrypted data to the new archive as encrypted data. Files within an archive that are already encrypted cannot be encrypted again. Thus, this option applies only to the non-encrypted files when transferring data from the source into the destination archive without recompression. On the other hand, when recompressing the data, this option applies to all files as they are always decrypted before being recompressed. Clear this option if you do not wish to explicitly add encryption to files as they are added to the converted archive.
NoneAdd the files without any encryption.
Basic ZipEncrypt the files to be added to the archive with a basic zip encryption algorithm.
AES 128 bitEncrypt the files to be added to the archive with a 128 bit key AES (Advanced Encryption Standard aka Rijndael) encryption algorithm.
AES 192 bitEncrypt the files to be added to the archive with a 192 bit key AES (Advanced Encryption Standard aka Rijndael) encryption algorithm.
AES 256 bitEncrypt the files to be added to the archive with a 256 bit key AES (Advanced Encryption Standard aka Rijndael) encryption algorithm.
PasswordEnter the password you want to use to encrypt the data.
Confirm [Password]Enter the password again to confirm it.
Show PasswordToggle this checkbox to make the password readable or not.
Important - Password Strength and Good Practices
In order to keep your data protected, it is important to use strong passwords. That said, you should be able to remember the password easily, or at least record a reference that helps you (and only you) remember it. Never record the password in plain text. A password is considered relatively strong if it has all of the following characteristics:
  • has at least 8 different characters;
  • has upper case characters;
  • has lower case characters;
  • has at least 3 alphabetic characters (A, ..., Z);
  • has at least 2 numeric characters (0, ..., 9);
  • has at least 2 non alphanumeric characters (@, +, !, etc.).
Additionally, it must not contain sequential strings (e.g. "ABC...", "345..", "qwert...", "ZYX...", etc.) and obvious character substitutions (e.g. replacing "i" with "1").
Modify archives description
(This option applies only to Single Volume archives.)
Single volume archives can have description embedded in them. When the source and destination archives are both single volume archives, the description of the source archive is transferred unconditionally. Set this checkbox to add or modify the description of a single volume target archive. Clear this checkbox to leave the description (if applicable) unchanged.
Append the Text Below to Existing DescriptionsSelect this option to append the entered text to the existing description of any source archive description when it is added to the new converted archive.
Replace Existing Descriptions With the Text BelowSelect this option to disregard the description of the source archives and instead use the text entered below as a description for the new converted archives.
Destination Controls
Convert Archives Destination Controls
These controls are used to direct the output location to where the module will store the converted archives.
DestinationSelect the output type and location.
Common PlaceThe converted archives are stored in the specified target folder and have names identical to the respective source archive name. Caution is required as converted archives with identical names may overwrite each other.
Original LocationEach converted archive is deposited in the same folder as its source archive and is named "[source archive].converted.zip"
Reflecting TreeThe same file-paths as the file-paths of the source archives is replicated under the selected target folder. Each converted archive is deposited in the newly created folder respective to the folder containing its source archive and has the same name as its source archive.
at folderSelect folder which will be used for the "Common Place" and "Reflecting Tree" options.
Send EmailSet this checkbox to request the module to start the default e-mail software installed on the machine and attach the converted archives to a new e-mail message.
Further Actions Controls
Convert Archives Further Actions Controls
These controls are used to help to automate some common activities after the process is successfully completed.
Delete Source ArchivesSet this checkbox to request the module to send the source archives to the Recycle Bin after successful conversion. Archives will not be deleted if there is an error during the conversion process.
Confirm Delete [Source Archives]Set this checkbox to confirm the request to delete the source archives after a successful compression process.
Window Controls
Convert Archives Window Controls
These controls have generic meanings.
On TopSets and clears the Always On Top flag on the window. This checkbox adds or removes the window from the group of Top-most windows.
OKCommits to work and creates the new converted archives.
CancelCloses the window without doing any work. The last selected properties are stored.