how to compress files using Winrar?

hi gang, can someone please help.. i just want to know how to compress a file in simple english. i am sure you good folks can help..
I have winrar installed on the laptop
thanks,
Wheelo

This may be worth a read wheelo How do I compress files using WinRAR?

3 main ways to accomplish this:

Option 1: Use the WinRAR user interface to access the complete application and all its advanced features. Start the WinRAR program, either from a Desktop icon, or from the menu path Start -> All Programs -> WinRAR -> WinRAR. In the WinRAR application, click on the "View" button to display your computer's files. Select one or more directories or files, then click on the "Add" button, which brings up a dialog box. The name of the archive file to be created is defaulted in the "Archive Name" field; if the archive name already exists, you will simply be adding files to the existing archive. Choose the archive format and the compression format. You can also choose to enable the "SFX archive" option, which creates an executable archive file, meaning that the receiver does not need to have WinRAR installed to extract the files. Additional advanced options are available on other tabs in the dialog box, such as archive timestamps. Click "OK" to create the archive file.

Option 2: Use the WinRAR wizard, which walks you through several steps to create the archive file. After starting the WinRAR program, click on the "Wizard" button. To create a new archive file, select the "Create a new archive" option. Select the directories or files you want to compress. Next, accept the default, or enter a name for the archive file. Make sure you click on the "Browse" button to select the location in which you want to store the archive, otherwise, the location defaults to the Windows "Documents and Settings" directory. Finally, several more commonly used options are presented, so you can choose, for example, to set a password for the file, or to create a self-executable file.

Option 3: Access WinRAR directly from the Windows Explorer, eliminating the need to start the WinRAR program separately. From within the Explorer, select the files or directories that you want to compress. Next, use the right-click on your mouse, to see four WinRAR menu items. The options "Add to archive" and "Compress and email" bring up the same dialog box accessed in option 1, to allow you to set compression options. The options "Add to . . ." and "Compress . . .and email" default the name of the compressed file, and use WinRAR program defaults for a one-step compression.

In each option, you can select more than one file for compression in one archive file by using the Shift and Control keys. It is not possible to select files in different directories. If this is required, create the compressed file with your initial selection of files located in one directory, then choose additional files in other directories and add them to the previously archived file. With these three methods, compressing a file can be as simple as a right mouse-click, or more complex if specific compression options are required.

Thats the great thing about TechKings, the variety: a watchable video, a link to a source, and direct info itself.

Quick response TKers it really shows what kind of a great bunch we are on this site

genius gentlemen, genius.
hi ho hi ho its off to work i go,
thanks men

It is indeed nice to see how quickly, and thoroughly the question at hand was handled.

I just compressed my first ever file using Winrar, thanks Dan, 7th, and moh. as said quick and in a language that even I could understand. I have seen tutorials elsewhere, that dont want to share the knowledge unless you are already a genius...I mean i wouldn't have asked if i didn't know..
well done guys

when compressing a file say 700mb in size it goes into a single winrar file for me.
how do i do it that it compresses the file but its in say seven 100mb winrar files?

also what is used to put these files back together again? i saw this somewhere on here but cant find it