how do i make zip files, and how do i retrieve them?

Answer 1

You can download an evaluation copy of WinZip, but you can also use Windows XP.

First of all, to view the contents of a ZIP file, you can use Windows Explorer (aka "My Documents" or "My Computer".) Highlight the ZIP file, and click the right mouse button. On the pop-up menu, select Explore. This will expand the contents of the ZIP file as if it were a folder. You can drag and drop these files into other Windows folders, again, just as if it were a Windows folder.

To create a zip file, you select the file(s) you want to zip up by highlighting them with your mouse, and right-click. On the pop-up menu there's a "Send to >" option. Move your mouse over this, and select "Compressed (zipped) Folder." Follow the instruction for setting the filename, etc.

Answer 2

Get winzip online and then drag what you want zipped up into winzip.