Compress Files - Create New Archives, Add, Update and Freshen Files and Folders In Existing Archives.

Act On File Windows Compatibility Seals

This section discusses the Compress Files functionality of the Compressor module.
The Compress Files functionality easily creates or updates archives without opening the archive explicitly. After you select the files and folders that you want to add to a new or existing archive in Windows Explorer, you simply invoke the Compress Files functionality from the Act On File context menu. If required, you can make quick adjustments to the settings but depending on the use of the functionality, this may not be required. After any adjustment on the selected items and properties, you simply click the OK button and wait for the module to complete its work. The Compress Files functionality allows you to maintain your archives with just one mouse click.
Capture: Compress Files
Compress Files

Operation

To compress files you need to select the files and folders to the selected items view control of the Compress Files functionality. The folders added to the selection control menu causes Act On File to add the folder to the target archive together with all files that it contains (or update/refresh them if they are already added to the archive). If there are any shortcuts in the selected folders, they will be followed or ignored according the selection in the Shortcuts combo-box. After the items to be compressed are selected, you need to adjust the operation controls and set the target archive. Then click OK to start the process of compression.

Controls

  
Selection Controls
Compress Files 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.
ShortcutsSelect the behavior of the functionality in respect to any shortcuts that might be present in the selected folders.
TargetAny shortcut located in selected folder will be dereferenced and its target file or folder will be treated as if it were selected.
IgnoreAny shortcut located in selected folder will be ignored.
Operation Controls
Compress Files Operation Controls
These controls are used to control the operation of the module and thus directly affect the results.
AlgorithmSelect the algorithm to be used to compress the data.
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.
ModeChoose the target archive management mode.
New Archive Always create a new archive. If an archive with the same name already exists at the target position, you will be asked to confirm whether you want to overwrite it.
Add Only The target archive must be an existing archive. Only the items in the selection which are not already in the target archive will be added to it. If the target archive does not exist then Act On File will suggest creating a new archive, adding all selected items to it. This option is only applicable to single volume archives.
Add & Replace The target archive must be an existing archive. All selected items will be added to the archive. If an item is already in the archive then it will be deleted and the newly selected item will be added in its place. Note that for folders, this means that the content of the original will be deleted and replaced with the content of the newly selected folder. If the target archive does not exist, Act On File will suggest creating a new archive and adding all selected items to it. This option is only applicable to single volume archives.
Add & Freshen The target archive must be an existing archive. All selected items will be added to the archive. If an item is already in the archive then it will be deleted but its comment will be preserved and associated with the item that replaces it. Note that for folders, this means that the content of the original will be deleted and replaced with the content of the newly selected folder. If the target archive does not exist, Act On File will suggest creating a new archive and adding all selected items to it. This option is only applicable to single volume archives.
Add & Choose The target archive must be an existing archive. The items in the selection which are not already in the archive will be added unconditionally. The items which are already in the archive will cause Act On File to issue a question dialog asking how to proceed with the particular item (files or folder). The question dialog will be displayed for each conflicting item unless the "Apply to all" checkbox is selected. If the target archive does not exist, Act On File will suggest creating a new archive and adding all selected items to it. This option is only applicable to single volume archives.
Replace Only The target archive must be an existing archive. Only the items that already exist in the archive will be replaced with the newly selected items. Note that for folders, this means that the content of the original will be deleted and replaced with the content of the newly selected folder. The comments of the replaced items will be lost. Selected items which are not already in the archive will be ignored. If the target archive does not exist, Act On File will suggest creating a new archive and adding all selected items to it. This option is only applicable to single volume archives.
Freshen Only The target archive must be an existing archive. Only the items that already exist in the archive will be replaced with the newly selected items. Note that for folders, this means that the content of the original will be deleted and replaced with the content of the newly selected folder. Any comments of a replaced item will be kept and associated with the item that replaces it. Selected items which are not already in the archive will be ignored. If the target archive does not exist, Act On File will suggest creating a new archive and adding all selected items to it. This option is only applicable to single volume archives.
VolumesChoose the target archive volume disposition. This setting is enabled only for new archives.
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.
Attributes Inclusion Controls
Compress Files Attributes Inclusion Controls
These controls are used to control the inclusion of items by some of their attributes and control the archive attribute of the included items.
Include Files/FoldersSelect the features of the required behavior.
HiddenWhen this checkbox is clear, the module will ignore hidden files and folders and will not add them to the archive. Set this checkbox to alternate this behavior.
SystemWhen this checkbox is clear, the module will ignore system files and folders and will not add them to the archive. Set this checkbox to alternate this behavior.
Only Archived AttributedSet this checkbox to ignore files and folders which have their archived attribute cleared. Clear this checkbox to alternate this behavior.
Reset Archive AttributeSet this checkbox to request the module to clear the archived attribute of any file and folder added to the archive. Clear this checkbox to alternate this behavior.
Empty FoldersWhen this checkbox is clear, the module will not add empty folders to the archive. An empty folder is a folder without any data in it. Note, a folder containing empty files or subfolders is considered empty.
Empty FilesWhen this checkbox is clear, the module will not add empty files to the archive. Set this checkbox to alternate this behavior.
Encryption Controls
Compress Files Encryption Controls
These controls are used to control the encryption capabilities of the module while adding files (data) to the archive.
EncryptionSelect the required encryption type.
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").
Archive Environment Controls
Compress Files Archive Environment Controls
These controls are used to control environment aspects of the created archive.
Add Archive DescriptionSet this checkbox to enter a description of the archive. The description will be available to read and edit when the archive is opened using the Open Archive functionality. Clear this checkbox if you do not want to add a description to the archive.
Use Full Path for Archived ItemsSet this checkbox to add the full path, excluding the drive letter, for each file added to the archive. When this checkbox is cleared, no path (i.e. no folders) is added to the archive, although the files in the selected folders are added. In this case, there is a risk of file overwriting in the archive if files with identical names from different folders are added.
Make Self-extractorSet 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.
Protected OperationTypically, if the software is interrupted while modifying the archive, e.g. due to a power failure, the entire archive becomes unusable. Set this checkbox to request the module to create a new temporary archive which will be modified and made into the new archive after successful completion of all changes. Clear this checkbox to work directly with the existing archive and thus assume any associated risks.
Target and Destination Controls
Compress Files Target and Destination Controls
These controls are used to set the target archive name and location.
ArchiveEnter the full path and archive name of the target archive to be created or updated.
Send EmailSet this checkbox to request the module to start the default e-mail software installed on the machine and attach the archive to a new e-mail message.
Further Actions Controls
Compress Files Further Actions Controls
These controls are used to help to automate some common activities after the process is successfully completed.
Delete Source ItemsSet this checkbox to request the module to send the archived items to the Recycle Bin after successful compression. Items will not be deleted if there is an error during the archiving process.
Confirm Delete [Source Items]Set this checkbox to confirm the request to delete the source items after a successful compression process.
Window Controls
Compress Files 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 either creates a new archive or updates an existing one.
CancelCloses the window without doing any work. The last selected properties are stored.