2025 Compression KB ID 0001905
Problem
In Windows server 2025, you may see there are some more ‘compression’ options.
In previous versions of Windows server we simply had Send to > Compressed (Zippped) Folder. As you can see above we now have options for ZIP, 7z, and TAR File.
Solution : 2025 Compression
ZIP Files
The .zip file format is one of the most common archive formats in the world, widely used for compressing and packaging files. Developed in 1989 by Phil Katz (founder of PKWARE), .zip allows multiple files and directories to be bundled into a single file, reducing storage size and simplifying file sharing.
Key Features of .ZIP Files in 2025 Compression
Compression The .zip format uses lossless compression algorithms, most commonly Deflate, which means no data is lost during compression. Once extracted, the files retain their original quality and structure.
Archiving: .zip files can store multiple files and folder structures in a single package, making it easier to manage or share a group of files.
Password Protection: .zip files can include encryption (e.g., AES-256) to protect their contents with a password, useful for sensitive data.
Cross-Platform Support: Supported natively by most modern operating systems (e.g., Windows, macOS, and Linux), .zip files are widely recognized and easy to handle.
Splitting (Spanned Archives): Large .zip files can be split into smaller parts for easier distribution (e.g., email attachments).
How .ZIP Files Work
A .zip file contains the following key elements.
- File Header: Contains metadata about each file (e.g., file name, size, timestamp).
- Compressed Data Blocks: The actual compressed contents of the files.
- Central Directory: A table of contents for all files in the archive, allowing quick access during extraction.
End of Central Directory Record (EOCD): Marks the end of the archive, ensuring integrity.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Reduces file size, saving disk space | Compression ratio varies by file type (e.g., videos compress poorly) |
Groups multiple files for easier sharing | Does not support incremental updates like .tar.gz or .7z |
Native support across platforms | Password protection isn’t always secure without strong encryption |
7z Files
The .7z file format is a high-compression archive format introduced in 1999 with the open-source 7-Zip software, developed by Igor Pavlov. Known for its impressive compression ratios and support for advanced features like strong encryption and multi-threading, .7z is a popular choice for power users and IT professionals.
Key Features of .7z Files in 2025 Compression
Superior Compression: .7z uses the LZMA (Lempel-Ziv-Markov chain algorithm) or its advanced version, LZMA2, which offers higher compression ratios compared to .zip and many other formats.
Multi-Format Support: .7z supports various compression, encryption, and pre-processing filters, making it highly versatile for different file types.
Strong Encryption: .7z files use AES-256 encryption for password protection, providing robust security for sensitive data.
Splitting (Volumes): Large .7z archives can be split into smaller parts (e.g., for storage on multiple media or sending via email).
Open-Source and Cross-Platform: While .7z isn’t natively supported by operating systems, free tools like 7-Zip and p7zip make it accessible on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
How .7z Files Work
A .7z file contains the following components:
- Header: Stores metadata (e.g., file names, sizes, compression methods).
- Compressed Data Blocks: The core data is compressed using the chosen algorithm (usually LZMA or LZMA2).
- Encryption (Optional): Data and metadata can be encrypted for additional security.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
High compression ratio (saves more space) | Used to Require third-party tools for extraction |
Strong AES-256 encryption for security | Slightly slower compression than .zip |
Supports splitting for large files | Not natively supported by OSs (less universal) |
Open-source and free | Advanced features may overwhelm casual users |
TAR Files
The .tar file format, short for Tape Archive, is one of the oldest and most widely used formats for archiving files. Originally developed in the Unix ecosystem for storing files on magnetic tape, .tar remains popular today, especially in Linux environments, for grouping multiple files into a single archive.
Key Features of .TAR Files in 2025 Compression
Archiving, Not Compression: Unlike .zip or .7z, .tar files do not compress the contents—they simply bundle files and directories into a single archive for easier management.
Preserves File Metadata: .tar preserves essential file information, including permissions, ownership, timestamps, and symbolic links, making it ideal for backups and system migrations.
Streamable: Because .tar writes data sequentially, it can be used efficiently with pipes, enabling workflows like direct compression or streaming backups to remote locations.
Cross-Platform: While commonly associated with Unix/Linux, .tar files are supported on Windows and macOS via tools like WinRAR, 7-Zip, or native utilities.
How .TAR Files Work
A .tar file contains the following:
Headers: Metadata for each file (e.g., names, permissions, sizes).
File Data Blocks: The raw contents of the files, concatenated in the archive.
End Marker: Indicates the end of the archive.
Note: The .tar format does not include compression—it is often combined with compression algorithms like gzip or bzip2 to create compressed archives (e.g., .tar.gz, .tar.bz2).
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Ideal for archiving files with metadata intact | Does not compress data (unless combined with gzip, etc.) |
Simple and efficient for backups | Sequential access: extracting specific files requires scanning the entire archive |
Works seamlessly with Unix/Linux utilities | No encryption or security by default |
Comparing Server 2025 Compression Options
I’ve used a blend of files that can easily be compressed, and others that cannot to get a decent approximation of what you might expect. Remember .tar does not compress, so it’s more or less the size of the original folder.
Server 2025 Compress To > Additional Options
Using the last option you can select what format to go to, which method(s) to use and if you want to compress faster or smaller, you can gain some space, but the defaults are pretty good.
Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links
NA