How do you create a compressed file in Windows 8.1?

Normally (as in Windows 7 or Windows XP) it should be real easy requring just a right click on the file you want to save as a compressed file.

It is (sometimes) not that easy in Windows 8.1. The reason being the right click produces a dud if there is something wrong. Did I say a bug? or corrupted file? Nothing happens, as in my case. The CMD.exe cannot be run in adminstrative mode since the same thing happens as a with a right click.

What do you do now?

As any sane person would do, trash your laptop/desktop/tablet/phone/xxx or Microsoft. I am kidding.

The solution I found is the following:
You need to read the next two posts to prepare yourself:
http://hodentekhelp.blogspot.com/2014/10/how-do-you-open-file-explorer-in.html
http://hodentekhelp.blogspot.com/2014/10/how-do-you-access-folderfile-properties.html

Having read the above open you folder which contains the file or folder you want to compress as shown:
Now you can see you can create a zip file. Click on New Item to create a zip file.

 

How do you access folder / file properties in Windows 8.1?

In earlier versions of Windows you would right click a file or a folder to access the properties via the drop-down menu.

But in Windows 8.1 (in my case Windows 8.1 Professional 64bit), a right click would just refresh the Windows Desktop and nothing happens). I believe this is not how it should be and here is a way to look at the folder / file properties.

In Windows 8.1 open the File Explorer as shown.

Click open the folder for which you want to review the properties. In this case Desktop for example.
The Window for Desktop opens with its own ribbon as shown.

Choose the folder or file (mysorian in this case) and access its properties via the Properties toolbar item.

It was so easy in earlier versions. I wish the earlier way of access is restored.