Hands-On Apple (Video)

HOM 173: Archive Utility

Listen Later

Mikah Sargent dives deep into Archive Utility on macOS, a powerful but often overlooked tool that works behind the scenes to compress and expand files on your Mac. From creating basic zip archives to encrypted files, this episode reveals all the hidden features of this versatile utility.

  • How compression works - Compression algorithms look for repeating patterns in data to make files smaller, though already compressed files like JPEGs may not benefit much.
  • Quick compression with right-click - The fastest way to compress files is selecting them, right-clicking, and choosing "Compress," which always creates a standard zip file.
  • Opening Archive Utility - Access it directly by using Command+Space and typing "archive" to explore its full capabilities beyond the right-click option.
  • Archive Utility settings - Configure where expanded files are saved, what happens to archives after expansion, and whether to automatically expand nested archives.
  • Expansion options - Choose to keep, trash, or delete archives after expanding them, or move them to a specific location.
  • Compression options - Similar settings exist for what happens to original files after creating an archive.
  • Archive formats explained - Despite setting preferences in Archive Utility, the right-click "Compress" option always creates zip files regardless of settings.
  • Creating CPGZ archives - These compressed archives must be created by selecting a folder through the File menu, not through right-click compression.
  • Regular archives (CPIO) - Simple "briefcase" archives without compression, useful for bundling files without reducing size.
  • Apple Archive (AAR) - A Mac-specific format that uses multi-threaded compression to efficiently compact files.
  • Encrypted archives (AER) - Secure, password-protected archives that can be unlocked with Touch ID if saved to your keychain.
  • Why ZIP remains the standard - ZIP format is used for the right-click compression option because of its universal compatibility across different operating systems.

    • Zip and unzip files and folders on Mac - https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/zip-and-unzip-files-and-folders-on-mac-mchlp2528/mac

    Host: Mikah Sargent

    Download or subscribe to Hands-On Mac at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-mac

    Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

    Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store
    Hands-On Apple (Video)By TWiT
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8

    4.8

    50 ratings

    More shows like Hands-On Apple (Video)

    View all
    This Week in Tech (Audio) by TWiT

    This Week in Tech (Audio)

    3,062 Listeners

    MacBreak Weekly (Audio) by TWiT

    MacBreak Weekly (Audio)

    2,013 Listeners

    WSJ Tech News Briefing by The Wall Street Journal

    WSJ Tech News Briefing

    1,653 Listeners

    Accidental Tech Podcast by Marco Arment, Casey Liss, John Siracusa

    Accidental Tech Podcast

    2,140 Listeners

    This Week in Tech (Video) by TWiT

    This Week in Tech (Video)

    273 Listeners

    MacBreak Weekly (Video) by TWiT

    MacBreak Weekly (Video)

    364 Listeners

    AppleInsider Podcast by AppleInsider

    AppleInsider Podcast

    987 Listeners

    iOS Today (Video) by TWiT

    iOS Today (Video)

    244 Listeners

    Tech News Weekly (Video) by TWiT

    Tech News Weekly (Video)

    112 Listeners

    Security Now (Video) by TWiT

    Security Now (Video)

    148 Listeners

    Hands-On Tech (Video) by TWiT

    Hands-On Tech (Video)

    103 Listeners

    All TWiT.tv Shows (Video) by TWiT

    All TWiT.tv Shows (Video)

    87 Listeners

    Windows Weekly (Video) by TWiT

    Windows Weekly (Video)

    79 Listeners

    This Week in Google (Video) by TWiT

    This Week in Google (Video)

    72 Listeners

    Home Theater Geeks (Video) by TWiT

    Home Theater Geeks (Video)

    17 Listeners

    Total Leo (Video) by TWiT

    Total Leo (Video)

    16 Listeners

    9to5Mac Happy Hour by 9to5Mac

    9to5Mac Happy Hour

    730 Listeners

    TWiT News (Video) by TWiT

    TWiT News (Video)

    20 Listeners

    Darknet Diaries by Jack Rhysider

    Darknet Diaries

    8,114 Listeners

    9to5Mac Daily by 9to5Mac

    9to5Mac Daily

    530 Listeners

    The Dr. Hyman Show by Dr. Mark Hyman

    The Dr. Hyman Show

    9,292 Listeners

    Hands-On Tech (Video) by TWiT

    Hands-On Tech (Video)

    33 Listeners

    TWiT Throwback (Video) by TWiT

    TWiT Throwback (Video)

    6 Listeners

    TWiT Events (Video) by TWiT

    TWiT Events (Video)

    12 Listeners

    Total Mikah (Video) by TWiT

    Total Mikah (Video)

    9 Listeners

    Hands-On Windows (Video) by TWiT

    Hands-On Windows (Video)

    7 Listeners

    This Week in Space (Video) by TWiT

    This Week in Space (Video)

    22 Listeners

    Untitled Linux Show (Video) by TWiT

    Untitled Linux Show (Video)

    2 Listeners