How to Use Keka to Compress and Extract Files

July 2024 (305 Words, 2 Minutes)

Keka is a free and powerful file compression and extraction tool for macOS. It supports various archive formats and offers a simple interface for managing your files. This guide will help you install Keka and use it for both compressing and extracting files.

Table of Contents

• Installing Keka
• Basic Compression and Extraction Operations
• Advanced Settings
• Frequently Asked Questions

Installing Keka

To get started with Keka, you need to download and install it. Here’s how:

1. Visit the Keka official website.
2. Click “Download” to get the latest version of Keka.
3. Once downloaded, open the .dmg file and drag the Keka icon into your Applications folder.

Basic Compression and Extraction Operations

Once Keka is installed, you can use it to compress and extract files. Follow these steps:

Compressing Files

1. Open Keka: Launch Keka from your Applications folder or dock.
2. Select Files or Folders: Drag and drop the files or folders you want to compress onto the Keka window.
3. Choose Compression Format: In the Keka window, select your desired compression format (e.g., .zip, .7z).
4. Start Compression: Click “Compress” to begin the compression process. The compressed file will be created in the same location as the original files.

Extracting Files

1. Open Keka: Launch Keka from your Applications folder or dock.
2. Select Archive File: Drag and drop the archive file onto the Keka window or use the “Open” button to select the file.
3. Choose Extraction Location: Keka will automatically extract files to the same location as the archive by default. You can change the destination folder by selecting it in the Keka preferences.
4. Start Extraction: Click “Extract” to begin the extraction process. The files will be decompressed to the selected location.

Advanced Settings

Keka provides several advanced settings to customize your compression and extraction:

• Compression Formats: Choose from various formats like .zip, .7z, and .tar in the Keka preferences.
• Compression Level: Adjust the compression level to balance between speed and file size.
• Password Protection: Set a password for encrypted archives by entering the password in the Keka window when creating a compressed file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why can’t I open my Keka archive?

A1: Ensure you are using the latest version of Keka and that the archive format is supported. If issues arise, try re-downloading or using Keka for extraction.

Q2: How do I change the default extraction location?

A2: Open Keka and go to Preferences. Here you can set your preferred default location for extracted files.

Q3: Does Keka support batch compression and extraction?

A3: Yes, you can drag and drop multiple files or folders onto Keka for batch processing. Keka will handle them sequentially.

By following these instructions, you can effectively use Keka to manage your file compression and extraction needs on macOS. For more information, visit the Keka official website.