Sending or downloading multiple files can be a hassle. Either there are just too many or the file size of one or more files hits some restrictions within the e-mail provider or download service. For this reason, archive files have been developed.
They do not only function as some kind of folder to group multiple files of different formats, they also compress one or more files. This way, files take up less space for saving or less bandwidth when storing online or sending.
Here at Online-Convert.com, we get many questions about Archive files and archive file conversion from our users. Bringing some light into the darkness, we decided to create this short article that will answer the most frequently asked questions about archive files and the conversion and compressed of files.
Archive Converter FAQs
Why Do I Need An Archive File Converter?
We have touched this topic in our introduction already: why would you even need to convert files to archives? Depending on the operating system you use as well as your needs, archive conversion could or should be a simple necessity.
Here are some of the most popular reasons why to use an online archive converter to convert your files to archives, or one archive file into another.
- You can not open an archive someone sent you.
- You want to archive data.
- You want to send files via e-mail but hit the file size limit.
- You want to provide multiple files for download.
- You want to save space on your hard drive.
How Do I Compress Files?
On Online-Convert.com you can find a number of archive converters for this purpose. All you have to do is choose the converter you want to use and provide the file you want to convert – either by uploading it or by entering the link. You can also compress files stored on Google Drive or Dropbox.
Then, hit the “Convert file” button.
Now, all you have to do is wait until the conversion is done. The output will be downloaded to your computer or device (depending on your browser this works automatically).
How Do I Convert One Archive To Another Format?
The conversion from one archive to another is just as easy as compressing files using an archive converter. Just, instead of an image, document or video, you choose an archive as the source format.
You can, for example, convert:
- BZ2 to 7Z
- RAR to ZIP
- GZIP to GZ
- TAR to BZ2
- TGZ to GZ
- and more
Can I Convert Compressed Files?
Yes, indeed you can. The different online converters of Online-Convert.com can interpret different archives and the files inside. If you, for example, have an AVI file inside a RAR, you can upload the RAR file to one of our video converters, e.g. the MP4 converter, and the AVI will be successfully converted to MP4.
Note that, at the moment, only the first item in an archive file can be converter.
What Converter Should I Choose?
Depending on your needs, you can choose from different archive converters. Or more precisely: you can choose different output archive formats. On Online-Convert.com, you can choose between one of four target archives: 7Z, TAR.BZ2, TAR.GZ and ZIP
If you are looking for a fast compression, we recommend converting to GZ or ZIP as the compression speed is much higher than for BZ2 and 7Z. If you are looking for a high compression rate, you should go for 7Z as it has the highest compression rate of the four archive formats. If you want to compress your data in a format that is compatible with most systems and used by most people, then choose ZIP.
Following, we have listed the benefits of each archive file you can choose:
- 7Z
- highest compression rate
- open source format
- used on Windows, Linux and Mac OS X
- TAR.BZ2
- combination of TAR archiving and bzip compression
- high compression rate
- used on Linux and Mac OS X
- TAR.GZ
- combines TAR archiving with gzip compression
- fast compression speed
- used on Linux and Mac OS X
- ZIP
- most widely spread archive format
- fastest compression speed
- used on Windows, Linux and Mac OS X
What Else Is There To Know?
Password Protection
Unfortunately, Online-Convert.com does not allow you to convert password protected archives.
Online vs Download
Unless you do not have permanent access to a stable internet connection, it makes the most sense to use an online compression tool and archive converter. Why? Because they are easier to handle and don’t require you to download and install a program on your computer. Installing software always puts you at risk of infecting your system with malware or a virus. This can not happen when you use an online service.
Besides, an online compression tool is in most cases way easier to use than a downloaded program. Plus, converting and compressing can be done from any kind of device such as smartphones and tablets where you would, usually, be required to install an app.
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