How to ZIP (compress) a File or Folder in Windows 10
InformationCompressed (zipped) files and/or folders take up less storage space and can be transferred to other computers more quickly than uncompressed files, they can also - in some cases - allow you to upload files to websites when the original file is too large. 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.
WarningIf 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: Zip a Single File or Folder in Windows using Send To
Option Two: Zip Multiple Files and Folders in Windows using Send To
Option Three: Add Files and Folders to an Existing ZIP File
Option Four: ZIP One or More File(s) and Folder(s) using Ribbon Bar in File Explorer
1: Right click on the file or folder to open the Context Menu, hover over Send to and click Compressed (zipped) folder.
2: Type in the name you wish to call the new ZIP file (it is named after the original file or folder by default) and press Enter.
1: Select all of the files and/or folders that you would like to zip. (see screenshot below step 2)
NoteTo 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), hover over Send to and click Compressed (zipped) folder.
3: Type in the name you wish to call the new ZIP file (it is named after the first file or folder selected by default) and press Enter.
1: Select the file(s) and/or folder(s) that you would like to add to the existing zip file.
2: Drag them to on top of the ZIP file until you see + Copy, and then drop the files (release).
1: In File Explorer, select (highlight) the file(s) and/or folder(s) that you would like to zip.
2: Click on the Share tab, and click on the Zip icon on the ribbon.
3: A ZIP file will be created in the same folder containing the selected items.
NoteIf 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,
Gav.
Related Tutorials
- How to Add or Remove 'Extract All' Context Menu for ZIP Files in Windows
- How to Unzip (extract) Files from a Zipped Folder in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable Scan Archive Files by Windows Defender in Windows 10
- How to Change Send to Compressed (zipped) Folder Icon in Windows