Bandizip Compression Settings: Make Files Smaller
Getting the smallest possible archive is not about one magic button - it is about choosing the right format and settings for your content. Here are the Bandizip settings that matter, and when to use them.
Step 1: choose the right format
- 7Z - best compression ratio and free of patent restrictions. The default choice for backups and long-term storage. More in the 7Z format guide.
- ZIP - maximum compatibility: opens everywhere. Use it when sending files to other people.
- ZIPX - a modern ZIP variant with stronger compression methods, useful when the recipient also has a modern archiver.
Step 2: pick a sensible compression level
Bandizip offers levels from Store to Best. Higher levels squeeze harder but take noticeably longer:
- Store - no compression. Perfect for JPG photos, MP4 video, or files that are already compressed - trying to shrink them only wastes time.
- Normal - the sweet spot for daily use.
- Best - for archives you open rarely: document backups, project snapshots, email attachments you keep.
Step 3: turn on solid compression (7Z)
Solid compression packs similar files together as one continuous block, which dramatically improves the ratio for collections of many small text-like files (source code, logs, documents). The trade-off: extracting a single file from the middle of a solid block requires processing everything before it. Enable it for backups, disable it for archives you browse frequently. Background: what is solid compression?
Step 4: increase the dictionary size (large datasets)
In 7Z settings, a larger dictionary lets the compressor find repetition across a bigger window of data - useful for multi-gigabyte datasets. It costs more RAM and time, so keep it moderate unless the content is truly large and repetitive.
Step 5: split what cannot shrink
If your goal is fitting a large file onto a service with a size limit (email, cloud upload), splitting is more useful than squeezing: how to split a large file into smaller volumes.
Recommended presets
| Use case | Format | Settings |
|---|---|---|
| Daily document backup | 7Z | Best level, solid on, AES-256 password |
| Sending files to others | ZIP | Normal level, no password unless needed |
| Photos and video archive | ZIP/7Z | Store level - compression gains are near zero |
| Long-term cold storage | 7Z or ZPAQ | Best level, solid on; ZPAQ for maximum ratio if time does not matter (ZPAQ guide) |
With the right combination of format, level and solid mode, most document collections compress 30-70% smaller than with default ZIP settings - without any third-party tools.