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3 compelling approaches to send large files

by Casey Schmidt  |  March 24, 2020

3 min. read
files sending from folder-to-folder.

A lot of file types have increased in quality, which made them expand in size. This will continue to happen in the future as well. As a result, companies and individual users will need to adjust the way they handle sharing and sending files that are growing in size. Make sure you keep up with this trend so it doesn’t take you by surprise. Here are three unique methods to send large files.

1. Extensive compression measures

Compression works great for sending many different files. Compression makes the physical size of the file smaller. Imagine you have a bag of potato chips and someone offered you one million dollars if you could fit the chips inside of a small purse. Certainly, you’d be able to compress the bag until it fits. Furthermore, unlike the chips you’ve just ruined, file compression doesn’t wreck the file you want to compress. Once it is unzipped (similar to decompression), the files return to normal. The file will also send much quicker when compressed, due to its new size.

A vice compressing a file.
Compression lets you share files quicker.

There are software systems such as Winzip and Winrar capable of compressing files. However, in case you don’t have access to any compression software, your operating system is capable of handling the procedure as well. Here are two different ways to compress your large files for both Windows and Mac users:

How to send large files for Windows users

  1. Right-click the file you wish to compress
  2. From the popup window, hover the option ‘Send to’
  3. In the new smaller popup window, select ‘Compressed (zipped) folder’

For Mac users

  1. Using the Finder, right-click the file you wish to compress
  2. From the popup, select ‘Compress (filename)’

2. The tried and true method – Email

Email continues to advance in sophistication and a lot of popular email systems have large maximum file sending limits. These limits will likely to continue to extend further as different companies compete with each other to create the best email system. The ability to email large files allows the sender to choose different delivery options. It also gives them the choice to include messages and other relevant information concerning the file in question.

A laptop using email.
Email now has larger sending limits.

However, email is only as useful as its maximum file size. When you have a file that goes over the limit, you need an alternative. Fortunately, some email systems integrate with outside cloud spaces. For example, Google Drive allows Gmail users to send files directly from their Drive accounts. If you’re not sure how to send large files using Drive, here’s a quick step-by-step breakdown:

To Email a large file using Google Drive

  1. Navigate your browser to Google
  2. Click ‘Gmail’
  3. Click ‘Compose’
  4. Click ‘Insert files using Drive’

3. File sharing systems

File sharing systems are a unique option to send large files because they have a lot of other features included. Popular programs like Dropbox are cloud-based, which saves precious hard drive space. It’s easy to send large files using these systems because of the linking method, where a link is generated to share with whomever you want to send the file to. The recipient can then access the file and download it directly to their system.

A picture of the Canto DAM interface.
Use software systems to handle your biggest assets.

The next step for organizations looking to create better projects and foster good communication is to find the right software to send large files. Digital asset management offers unique and efficient ways to share large files. DAM by Canto quickly and securely sends large files using the newest technology. Administrators can monitor the various assets being shared or downloaded. Ultimately, DAM is a modern way to get your files to where they need to go.

If you’re struggling to share large files, make sure you have some methods in place to help along the way. The reality is that bigger files and media are here to stay. In fact, they’re going to get even bigger. Make sure you can handle these new sizes with ease.