Another computer expert ?

[Crazy440]

I just downloaded, then installed, an application, on my computer.  Here's my question:  The file I downloaded was 870.2K, once I installed it, the file was 1.68KB.  How did it double in size?
Thanks,

Crazy

[73dodge]

the file you downloaded was likely compressed, squeezed if you like. Once you ran it the file uncompressed itself.

[Silver R/T]

zip file?

[Crazy440]

It wasn't in zip format.  I didn't have to use WinZip.  Zip files are not compressed by ½ are they?

Crazy

[Silver R/T]

they can be compressed to 1/2 or more

[Troy]

It wasn't in zip format.  I didn't have to use WinZip.  Zip files are not compressed by ½ are they?

Crazy

Many they are compressed much more than half which is why it's such a popular way to distribute things online. It doesn't have to be a zip file to be compressed. There are compressed "self-extracting" .exe files that will "unpack" themselves when you run them. Also, some applications will retrieve additional code, features, or updates from the web when they are installed. Sometimes all you get is the installer and it gets ALL of the program code from the web.

Troy

[azraelck]

WinXP treats ZIP and other compressed files as folders nowadays. Winzip is completely unneccesary, unless you just want something that works correctly a majority of the time.

Either the program had been compressed into a self extracting .EXE,  (most likely), or part of the installation was to download some files off the internet (not as likely, but I've seen it done before).