How to Make a Zip File
Level of difficulty: Intermediate
A zip file is a collection of different types of files compressed into one file. Zipping a file does not modify the files. It creates copies of the original files and places them in a single folder. Zip files are useful when transmitting files via email. A zip file’s size is smaller than the size of the original files combined. This makes uploading and sending the files easier and quicker.
Materials Needed:- Compression software
- Internet connection (optional)
- files to be zipped
Step 1
Check if your computer has a compression utility. If not, search for a free compression utility from the Internet. Download and install the compression utility by following the prompts on the screen.
Step 2
Locate the files that you want to zip. Organize the files in a single folder. Inside the folder, you can create more folders to classify the files into photos, videos, documents, and other files.
Step 3
Open the compression software that you downloaded. Click on the 'New' icon. A window will appear. Choose the location where you want to save the zip file that you are going to create. Remember the location of the file. Name the folder.
Step 4
Locate the files or the folder containing the files to be zipped. Click on the files or folder. The compression tool will automatically add the files inside the zip folder. The zipping of the files has been completed.
Step 5
Exit the compression utility program.
Step 6
Files can also be zipped without the help of a compression tool on Windows XP Operating Systems. Organize the files that you want to be zipped inside a single folder.
Step 7
Mouse over the folder and right click. A drop-down menu will appear. On the drop-down menu, choose the option 'Sent to'. After clicking on this option, another menu will appear. On the menu, click on the option 'Compressed (zipped) Folder'.
Step 8
After clicking on the 'Compressed (zipped) Folder' option, a folder with a zipper will appear on the desktop. This folder is the zip file containing all the files that you have chosen to be zipped.
Step 9
You can add files and other documents inside the folder that has already been zipped. You can simply select a file and drag it to the zip folder. This action automatically adds the file to the zip file.