How to Compress Large Files to Upload

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Storing big files on Windows or macOS can be frustrating when you lot're low on disk space. Information technology can also be tricky to share and send large files to others considering of electronic mail and text size limitations. Fortunately, there are several tools that arrive easy to make larger files small enough to share and store. This wikiHow article volition teach you lot how to compress large files, including apps, audio, and video, to much smaller sizes.

1. 1

   Download and install 7-Zip. 7-Goose egg is a free file compression plan you tin can utilise to compress large files and folders. Utilise the post-obit steps to download and install seven-Zip:

   • Go to https://www.7-zip.org/ in a web browser.
   • Click Download next to the latest version of 7-Zip.
   • Open the .exe file within your web browser or "Downloads" folder.
   • Click Install.

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   Luigi Oppido is the Possessor and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in full general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is too the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

   

   Luigi Oppido
   Calculator & Tech Specialist

   Did You lot Know? Compressing a file is platonic when you desire to brand a file smaller or if yous need to compress multiple files into a single packet. For example, if you demand to e-mail a 12mb file just your limit is 10mb, you tin can compress information technology down to 7mb. And so, the other person tin can decompress the file to open it.

2. 2

   Correct-click the file or binder you lot desire to compress. A context menu volition aggrandize.

   • To select more than than one file at a time, press and hold the Control key equally yous click each file.
   • Most all files tin can exist compressed, but some files (specially video and audio files) can just exist compressed by a small amount due to the fact that they are already quite compressed.^[1]

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3. 3

   Select the seven-Zip menu. Even more options will aggrandize.

4. 4

   Click Add together to Archive . This opens seven-Naught.

5. 5

   Select 7z from the "Archive Format" carte du jour. When you shrink a file with vii-Zip, you'll have several format options for saving the file. The pick that can compress to the smallest file type is 7-Zip's own proprietary file type called .7z.^[2]

   • People opening the file will need to use software that tin can open a .7z file to decompress it—this can be 7-Zero, WinZip, and Mac's built-in Archive Utility.^[3]
   • If you're worried about people having problem opening the file, you could choose zip instead. It's actually easy to open Nix files on most devices, and it can nonetheless compress files to smaller sizes.

6. 6

   Select Ultra from the "Compression Level" card. This tells vii-Zip to shrink the file into the smallest possible size. The amount of compression will vary depending on the type of file you're compressing.

7. 7

   Select LZMA ii from the "Pinch method" menu. If you don't see this option, endeavor LZMA instead. This format is the most mod compression method available and will piece of work on near devices.

8. viii

   Prepare "Dictionary Size" to a value that is at to the lowest degree x times lower than your retentivity. A larger dictionary size ways better compression, but the retention requirements are ten times the dictionary size. In most cases, 128 MB will suffice, as it provides splendid compression at a decent speed.^[4]

   • For example, if your computer has eight GB of RAM, yous could select the number closest to 800 MB as your dictionary size, or go lower to make the file compress and decompress faster.

9. nine

   Select the pick to split the file into smaller files (optional). You can leave the other remaining options set up to their default settings. Merely if a file is especially large, you accept the option to split the file into smaller files. For example, yous could take a 12 GB folder and split information technology into three smaller files that could each fit onto a DVD. Apply the drop-down menu below "Separate to volumes, bytes" to select how big you want each separate file to be.

   • You lot will need all the split files to extract the files. Make sure you practise not delete or lose any of the dissever files.

10. 10

    Click Ok to compress the file. This compresses the file using the settings yous specified.

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1. 1

   Download and install WinRAR. WinRAR is a free (for a limited time) application you can use to shrink files on Windows. Use the following steps to download and install WinRAR:

   • Go to https://world wide web.win-rar.com/download.html in a spider web browser.
   • Click the blue WinRAR 6.02 button (the version name volition vary) to download it.
   • Open the WinRAR ".exe" file.
   • Click Install and follow the on-screen instructions.

2. 2

   Right-click the file or folder yous want to compress. A context menu will aggrandize.

   • To select more than than i file at a fourth dimension, press and concord the Command key as you lot click each file.
   • Nearly all files can be compressed, simply some files tin merely be compressed by a minor amount.

3. 3

   Click Add to archive side by side to the WinRAR icon. The icon looks like a stack of books.

4. 4

   Select an archive format. The options are RAR, RAR5, and Cipher. RAR and RAR5 are amend at compressing files than ZIP—but the person who is decompressing the file will need software that can "un-RAR" it (WinRAR or seven-Zippo on Windows, Unarchiver on macOS).^[5] RAR5 is the latest version of the RAR file type, merely may not be recognized in older software. ZIP is the standard compression option and easiest to open up on whatever organisation.

5. 5

   Select All-time from the "Compression Method" menu. This method provides the highest pinch ratio (the smallest size file).

6. 6

   Select a Dictionary Size. The default option volition already be selected based on the archive format yous selected. The larger the dictionary file, the more than compressed the file can be. However, compression (and decompression) can take a long time and big dictionary sizes require better computer hardware. Yous can try a size that is 10 times lower than your memory, or stick to the default if that takes likewise long.

   • For case, if your computer has 4 GB of RAM, you might select the number closest to 400 MB as your lexicon size.

7. 7

   Select the option to split the file into smaller files (optional). If a file is particularly big, yous have the choice to divide the file into smaller files. For instance, yous could take a 12 GB binder and split it into three smaller files that could each fit onto a DVD. Utilize the drop-down carte du jour beneath "Split to volumes, size" to select how big you want each split file to exist.

   • Yous will need all the split files to extract the files. Make sure yous practice non delete or lose any of the split files.

8. 8

   Click Ok . It's in the lower right corner. This compresses your file.

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1. i

   Open Finder on your Mac . It's the two-toned smiley face icon on the Dock, which is commonly at the lesser of the screen.

2. 2

   Right-click the file(s) yous want to compress. A context menu will expand.

   • To select more than one file at a time, press and hold the Command key as you lot click each file. And so, right-click the highlighted files.
   • You can compress most files types on your Mac. The size of the compressed file volition vary depending on the type of file information technology is—images, text files, and various documents can usually compress to much smaller files than video and sound, for case.^{[half dozen]}

3. 3

   Click Compress . This compresses the file into a Naught file, which as well reduces its size.^[7]

   • The new file has the .Nil file extension, which is a globally-used compression format that tin can exist opened on about any organization without needing special software.
   • To decompress the file, double-click it.

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1. 1

   Download Avidemux. To shrink a large video into a smaller file, you lot'll need compression software that'south specifically for video. Avidemux is a free choice that can considerably decrease a video'southward size, and information technology'south available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Hither'due south how to get it:

   • Get to http://fixounet.gratuitous.fr/avidemux/download.html in a web browser.
   • Click FOSSHUB side by side to your operating arrangement.
   • Click the download link for your operating system.
   • Open the downloaded file in your spider web browser or Downloads folder.
   • Follow the instructions to complete the installation.

2. 2

   Launch Avidemux. You'll find information technology in the Windows Start menu or your Mac's Applications binder.

   • Compressing a video ways sacrificing its quality. You can play around with compression options to figure out the best size-to-quality ratio.
   • Movie files that you lot've downloaded from online sources may already exist compressed. Further pinch can lead to a virtually unwatchable terminal product, or may not event in meaning size changes.
   • It is not possible to decompress a compressed video. You should always save the compressed version as a separate file so that you don't lose the original.

3. 3

   Open up a video file in Avidemux. Here's how:

   • Click File and select Open up.
   • Select a video file on your computer and click 'Open.

4. 4

   Select Mpeg4 AVC (x264) from the "Video Output" drop-downward menu. This format gives you the highest level of pinch at the best possible quality.^[8]

5. v

   Select AAC FDK "Audio Output" drop-down bill of fare. This compresses the audio track of the video to go along its size downwardly.

6. 6

   Select MP4 Muxer from the "Output Format" menu. This is the near widely-compatible video format.

7. 7

   Click the Configure push button under the "Video Output" section. Information technology's the commencement option below "Video Output."

8. 8

   Select Video Size (Two Pass) from the drop-downwardly menu. It's in the "Rate Command" department at the lesser. This selection lets you specify the size you want your video to exist.

   • The larger the file size, the better the quality. Setting the target size significantly smaller than the original size will result in a drastic decrease in quality.
   • If you're not sure which size to use, keep the default.

9. 9

   Enter the target size for the converted video. Avidemux will adjust its settings to get as close to your target size as possible, but information technology may end up slightly over or slightly under the target size.

10. 10

    Click OK . This returns you to the previous screen.

11. 11

    Click the deejay icon to save and compress the video. It'southward in the upper-left corner of the app. You'll be asked to name the video before compression begins. Depending on the length of the video and the quality settings, this could take quite some time to complete.

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1. 1

   Understand what tin be compressed. Well-nigh audio files that y'all download from the internet, such every bit MP3 or AAC files, are already compressed. Further compression of these types of files will typically result in a poor-sounding file, merely volition subtract the file'south size. Compression is best suited for uncompressed formats such every bit WAV or AIFF.

2. 2

   Download Brazenness. This is a complimentary, open-source audio editing plan for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Hither's how to go it:

   • Go to https://www.audacityteam.org/download/ in a web browser.
   • Click the install link for your operating arrangement.
   • Open the downloaded file in your Downloads folder and follow the on-screen instructions to install.

3. 3

   Open Audacity. You'll detect it in the Windows Start carte du jour if you're using Windows, or the Applications folder if yous're using a Mac.

4. 4

   Open the audio file you want to compress. Here's how:

   • Click the File card and select Open up.
   • Select an audio file and click Open.

5. five

   Make the file mono (optional). This isn't recommended for music or anything with essential stereo effects, but for spoken voice or other recordings that don't require loftier-fidelity, switching to mono (single-track) can brand the file significantly smaller. Use the following steps to convert a stereo file to mono:

   • Click the down-arrow next to the file's name in the project area.
   • Select "Split to Mono" from the carte du jour.

6. 6

   Open the "Export Audio" window. This volition open a window allowing yous to set where you want the file to exist saved, besides every bit the format you want to utilize. Here's how:

   • Click File.
   • Click Consign.
   • Click Export Audio…

7. 7

   Select your compressed format. All of the formats listed in the "Salve as blazon" menu are compressed formats except .wav and .aiff. The format you choose depends on your requirements.

   • ".mp3" is the most mutual format for music, as information technology allows for good compression without much noticeable quality loss. It's too compatible with about any device.
   • ".flac" is a lossless form of compression. It is expert if you intend to play back the audio through a loftier-quality audio system, only it is not compatible with many devices. .flac will likewise non lead to a drastic reduction in file size.
   • ".ogg" creates better sound quality than MP3 at similar file sizes, just it's not compatible with as many devices.^[9]

8. viii

   Select the sound quality. Lower quality will provide a greater charge per unit of compression, but at the toll of audio quality.

   • MP3: Medium and Standard volition provide a decent rate of compression with average audio quality. Farthermost and Insane will provide less compression with higher sound quality.
   • OGG/M4A(ACC): Elevate the slider bar to the left to increase the rate of compression, but lower the audio quality. Drag it to the right to subtract, the rate of compression while increasing the sound quality.
   • All other file types: Use the drop-downwards card beneath "Bit Rate" or "Fleck Depth" to select the sound quality/rate of compression. Lower bit charge per unit/bit depth will provide a college rate of compression but with poorer audio quality.

9. 9

   Proper noun the compressed file and click Save . This compresses the original file into a new file with the name and parameters you entered. The original file will remain on your calculator.

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1. 1

   Understand what can be compressed. Almost images that you download online are already compressed. The file formats .jpg, .gif, and .png are all forms of compression, and farther pinch will lead to a sharp decrease in quality. Compression for images is most useful if you are working with images direct from a digital photographic camera or .bmp files.

   • It is non possible to uncompress a compressed image. You should e'er salve the compressed version every bit a separate file so that you don't lose the original.

2. 2

   Understand the divergence between "lossless" and "lossy" compression. In that location are essentially two types of compression for images: "lossless" and "lossy". Lossless compression is for cases where you lot need an verbal replication of the original and is typically used for drawings, diagrams, and medical imaging. Lossy compression is for cases where a drop in quality won't be noticed as much and is nigh usually used for photographs.

   • .gif, .tiff, and .png are all lossless formats.
   • .jpg is the about common lossy format for images.

3. iii

   Open up an paradigm editor of your selection. About all prototype editors support compression past allowing you to relieve the image as a different file format. When yous choose a compressed format, you'll be given options to determine how much pinch to employ.

   • Photoshop, GIMP, and Paint allow you lot to save paradigm files as compressed formats. Almost whatever image editing program will piece of work, though some volition give y'all more quality options than others.
   • Photoshop is the well-nigh popular prototype editor, but if you don't take a subscription, y'all tin download and install GIMP for free. It has a lot of the same features as Photoshop.

4. 4

   Open an epitome the image editor. Each image editor is a little different, but generally, the way you open a file is usually similar. Use the post-obit steps to open an image in your image editor.

   • Click File in the menu bar.
   • Click Open up.
   • Select an epitome and click Open.

5. 5

   Open the Consign menu. This will permit you to salve a copy of the original prototype using a new format. Use the following steps to open the Consign carte:

   • Click File.
   • Click Save As (Photoshop, Paint) or Export As (GIMP).

6. 6

   Select your desired format. In Paint, simply click your desired image format. In Photoshop, select your desired image format using the drop-downwardly menu next to "Format". On GIMP, click the carte du jour that says Select File past Type and select your desired image format. The format you choose has a lot to practice with the nature of the epitome.^[10]

   • If y'all're compressing a photograph, select .jpg every bit your format.
   • If you're compressing an image with less than 256 colors, select .gif as your format.
   • If you're compressing a screenshot, a drawing or comic, or any other not-natural image, select .png.
   • If you're compressing an image with layers that y'all want to preserve, select the .tiff format (note that .tiff format isn't necessarily considered compression).^[11]

7. 7

   Click Save (Photoshop) or Export (GIMP). This saves your epitome in the new format.

8. 8

   Set up your quality options (if possible) and click Ok . Image editors similar Photoshop and GIMP will ask yous to select your quality and compression settings after clicking the "Export/Salvage" push. You can typically utilize a slider to adjust the pinch or quality.

   • Increasing compression (decreasing quality) will upshot in a much smaller file size, simply volition add a lot of artifacts and alter the color of the image. Y'all may need to play with the options to find a good tradeoff between quality and size.

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Add together New Question

• Question

  How practice I compress a 144 MB mp4 video file down to 25 MB?

  

  Utilize Freemake audio converter to convert it to mp4, then set the limit to 25 MB.

• Question

  Can I shrink GTA v to a size lower than 35 GB?

  

  No, because GTA 5 is an open-world game that has many types of files which may condign corrupted if compressed.

• Question

  How tin I compress a PDF file?

  

  Use a program called WinRar to compress PDF files easily.

• Question

  Is L.H.A. still available?

  

  It's a legacy algorithm, consider modern ones similar lzma or fifty-fifty more modern ones like Zstandard instead.

• Question

  Can I shrink big files and split them into modest parts?

  

  Yes, you can exercise that using 7z or WinRAR.

• Question

  How much tin l shrink a Windows 10 file?

  

  Files of any OS must not be compressed unless you lot really know what you are doing. It can brand information technology so that your Bone doesn't work well or even force you to reinstall it.

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Article Summary X

1. Download and install vii-Zip.
2. Right-click the file and click seven-Zip.
three. Click Add to archive.
iv. Set ″compression level″ to Ultra.
five. Gear up ″lexicon size″ ten times lower than your available retentivity.
6. Set ″Solid block size″ to Solid.
7. Click OK.

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