How To Zip (Compress) a File or Folder in Windows

   Information

Compressed (zipped) files take up less storage space and can be transferred to other computers more quickly than uncompressed files. You can work with compressed files and folders in the same way that you work with uncompressed files and folders.

This tutorial will show you how to ZIP (compress) a file or folder, multiple files and/or folders, and add files or folders to an existing ZIP file.

   Warning

If you add encrypted files to a compressed folder, the files will be unencrypted when extracted, which might result in unintentional disclosure of personal or sensitive information. For that reason, you should avoid compressing encrypted files.

OPTION ONE

To Zip a Single File or Folder in Windows using Send to

1. Right click on the file or folder, click on Send to and Compressed (zipped) folder. (see screenshot below)

2. Type in a name you would like for the new ZIP file and press Enter.

OPTION TWO

To Zip Multiple Files and Folders in Windows using Send to

1. Select all of the files and/or folders that you would like to zip. (see screenshot below step 2)

   Note

To select random multiple files or folders
Press and hold the Ctrl key while clicking on a file or folder to select or deselect them, then release the Ctrl key when finished.

To Select everything inbetween two selected files or folders including the selected files and folders
Select a file or folder, press and hold the Shift key, click on another file or folder to select them and everything inbetween them, then release the Shift key.

2. Right click on the selected file(s) and/or folder(s), click on Send to and Compressed (zipped) folder. (see screenshot below)

3. Type in a name you would like for the new ZIP file and press Enter.

OPTION THREE

To Add Files and Folders to an Existing ZIP File

1. Select the file(s) and/or folder(s) that you would like to zip.

2. Drag them to on top of the ZIP file until you see + Copy, and drop it (release). (see screenshot below)

OPTION FOUR

To ZIP One or More File(s) and Folder(s) using Ribbon Bar in File Explorer

NOTE: This option is only available in Windows 8.

1. In File Explorer, select (highlight) the file(s) and/or folder(s) that you would like to zip.

2. Click/tap on the Share tab, and click/tap on the Zip icon on the ribbon. (see screenshot below)

3. A ZIP file will not be created in the same folder containing the selected items. If this folder is a system folder (ex: Windows), then you will be prompted to create the ZIP file on your desktop instead.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• Disable Explorer Folder View of Cab and Zip Files in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
• How to Compress and Decompress a Folder or File with NTFS Compression in Vista and Windows 7
• How to Enable or Disable "Show Extracted Files when Complete" from ZIP in Windows