Software

Winzip is the best for file compression:
Winzip: http://www.winzip.com/index.htm

Or try out 7-Zip
http://www.7-zip.org/

7-Zip is free to use.

Windows does have built in file compression.

In Windows Explorer, right click on the file and select send to, and compressed folder.

This will create a compressed (zipped) copy of the file.

You can also use the free-ware compression utility Zip Genius.

Note, that you will not see a 10 to 1 compression for a lot of file types.

Files that are already compressed formats such as JPEG, GIF, MP3, and many video files may actually be bigger files when you zip them. This is because the zip process adds recovery data.

Chas

1 Open WinZip.
2 Click on the New icon. A window will open displaying the folders on your disk.
3 Move through the folders until you locate the folder where you want to store your compressed file.
4WinZip creates a file called an "archive." Name your archive.
5 Click Save. You will be returned to the WinZip main window.
6 You must now add a file to the archive that you have just created. Click on Add. A window will open displaying the files and folders on your disk.
7 Move through the folders until you locate the file that you want to compress. Select that file.
8 in the compression menu, select the level of compression that you want. The choices may include Normal, None, Fast, Superfast and Maximum.
9 Add an optional password, if desired.
10 Click Add. You will return to the main WinZip menu.
11 Your compressed file is now added to the archive.
12 Close WinZip.