6 Simple Ways to Create a .ZIP File from Files or Folders

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Convert a folder or files into a compressed file
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Want to save space on your computer or make it easy to send a bunch of files at once? Creating a ZIP file compresses one or more files or folders into a single file, which not only keeps you organized, but can also free up space on your hard drive. You can even lock your ZIP files with passwords for fast and easy encryption. This wikiHow guide will walk you through creating ZIP files and folders on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iPhone, and iPad with expert tips from Computer Specialist Luigi Oppido.

Zipping Files and Folders on Windows

Create a folder with the files you want to compress. Right-click the folder, select Send to , and then click Compressed (zipped) folder . The .ZIP file will be created in the same location as the original.

Method 1
Method 1 of 6:

Using Windows

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  1. Create a folder with your files. The quickest way to create a zip file is to place all of the files that you want to archive into one folder. You can place multiple files and folders into the folder that you are creating the ZIP file from.
    • Rename the folder to whatever you want the ZIP file to be named.
  2. A drop-down menu will open.
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  3. More options will appear.
  4. The zipped file will be created in the same location as the original folder. [1]
    • You can also select multiple files in your file explorer, right-click on one of them, and then follow the above steps. The resulting ZIP file will contain all of the selected files and will be named after the file that you right-clicked on.
    • According to Oppido, you'll just need to "double-click on the file and it opens up another folder [or screen] that shows all the contents." [2]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 6:

Using Mac

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  1. The quickest way to create a zip file is to place all of the files that you want to archive into one folder. You can place multiple files and folders into the folder that you are creating the ZIP file from. [3]
    • Rename the folder to whatever you want the ZIP file to be named.
    • .ZIP files get their name because they're similar to zippered satchels; once you unzip the zipper, you can find things you can't see from the outside. [4]
  2. Right-click on the folder . A drop-down menu will open.
  3. The folder will be compressed into a ZIP file. The new ZIP file will be located in the same location as the folder that you compressed.
    • You can also select multiple files in your file explorer, right-click on one of them, and then follow the above steps. The resulting ZIP file will contain all of the selected files and will be named Archive.zip .
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Method 3
Method 3 of 6:

Using Linux

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  1. Open the terminal . Its symbol looks like a black rectangle with some bright characters on it. On some platforms, it is called Konsole, xTerm, or something similar.
    • You can use the shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T .
  2. This is done with the mkdir command, which takes the name of the directory as argument.
    • For example, if you want to create a directory "zipArchive", write mkdir zipArchive .
  3. Move or copy all files that should be in the ZIP file into the directory.
    • Files are moved with the mv command. Moving a file means that it is no longer in its original place, and instead in the place you specified.
    • Copying a file is done with the cp command. It makes a copy of the file in the place you specified, but the same file is still on its original position. Note that you need to use cp -r to copy a directory.
    • Both commands take the original position as first argument, and where to copy or move as second. For example, to move a file called "textToArchive.txt" to the directory "zipArchive", write: mv textToArchive.txt zipArchive
  4. This is done with the zip -r command. It takes the name of the zip file as the first argument and the name of the folder to archive as the second. If you, for example, want to archive the directory "zipArchive" to a zip file called "zipArchive.zip", write: zip -r zipArchive.zip zipArchive .
    • It will print out the names of all files it adds to the archive, so you can check whether everything you want to be included in the archive actually is there.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 6:

Using Android

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  1. You can find this in your app drawer.
  2. This is in the top-right corner.
  3. You'll see them selected.
  4. This is at the bottom of the screen.
  5. The new .ZIP file will be created in the same location. You can now upload it or send it elsewhere.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 6:

Using iPhone or iPad

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  1. Open the Files app . You can find this in your App Library.
  2. If you want to compress multiple files, tap ••• in the top-right corner and select New Folder . Then, add the files you want to compress.
  3. A pop-up menu will open.
  4. This is the third option.
    • The compressed .ZIP file will be created in the same location. You can now upload it or send it elsewhere; just long-press the file and tap Share .
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Method 6
Method 6 of 6:

Password-Protected ZIP File

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  1. Newer versions of Windows cannot create password-protected ZIP files without installing additional software. Compression software is available both for free and for purchase, though you don’t need anything fancy to create a protected ZIP. In the program, add the files you want to compress and create a ZIP, then enter a password when prompted. You'll need to use that password to access the contents in the future. The most popular compression programs include:
    • 7-Zip [5]
    • WinRAR
    • IZArc
    • PeaZip
  2. To create a password-protected Zip file in Mac, you can use the Terminal and you don’t need to download any other programs. First, place all of the files that you want to compress into a single folder, and then rename that folder to the name that you want your ZIP file to have.
    • Open the Terminal. This can be found in the Utilities folder in your Applications folder.
    • Navigate to where the folder that you want to compress is located.
    • Enter the command:
      zip –er <foldername>.zip <foldername>/*
    • Create a password . You will be asked to enter your password twice to verify it. Once you have entered the password, the ZIP file will be created.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What are zip files helpful for?
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Think of zip files as a satchel that you can store smaller individual files in for convenience. For example, if you wanted to send someone 30 photo files, you could just compile them in a zip file and then send the one zip file instead of 30 individual files.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Yes No
    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 17
  • Question
    Files are not compressed, why?
    Community Answer
    Some files types, such as .JPG, are already compressed so won't compress any further when put in a Zip file.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 19 Helpful 63
  • Question
    I'd like to know more about zip files. Is it necessary to create that kind of file?
    Johnny Gaming
    Community Answer
    All it does is compress many files into one smaller folder.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 38
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/zip-and-unzip-files-8d28fa72-f2f9-712f-67df-f80cf89fd4e5
      2. ↑ Luigi Oppido. Computer & Tech Specialist. Expert Interview. 31 July 2019.
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/mac-help/mchlp2528/mac
      4. ↑ Luigi Oppido. Computer & Tech Specialist. Expert Interview. 31 July 2019.
      5. ↑ https://www.7-zip.org/
      6. ↑ Luigi Oppido. Computer & Tech Specialist. Expert Interview. 31 July 2019.
      7. ↑ Luigi Oppido. Computer & Tech Specialist. Expert Interview. 31 July 2019.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Create a folder.
      2. Move files to the folder.
      3. Right-click the folder.
      4. Click Compressed (zipped) folder or Compress .

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