3 Quick Ways to Add a Folder as an Attachment in an Email

PDF download Download Article
A beginner's guide to sending an entire folder by email
PDF download Download Article

Most email providers don't allow you to attach a normal folder, but there's an easy workaround. Compressing (zipping) the folder will turn it into a single file and shrink it to avoid maximum attachment size limits. If you don't want to use zipping, you can use Google Drive to share a folder in Gmail. Here's how to add a folder as an attachment using your Windows or Mac computer.

Sending a Folder as an Email Attachment

To send an entire folder via email, you'll need to compress the folder into a ZIP file first. To do this, right-click (or control-click) the file and select the option to compress it. Then, attach the zipped file to your email.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using Windows

PDF download Download Article
  1. Before you can add a folder as an email attachment, you'll need to zip (compress) the file. This allows the files to be condensed into a single unit that the recipient can later unzip.
  2. This is in the pop-up menu.
    Advertisement
  3. A new zipped folder will be created in the same location as the original. [1]
    • If desired, right-click the file again and click Rename to give it a new name.
  4. If you don't already have your inbox open in a web browser, do so now. Start a new email.
    • On most email interfaces, you can click the paperclip icon to add an attachment. Select the file from the pop-up window.
    • Some providers allow drag-and-drop . In this case, drag the compressed file from your computer and drop it into the email's body field.
    • When you're finished, send the email. The recipient should be able to unzip the file by downloading to their device and double-clicking it.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using Mac

PDF download Download Article
  1. Control-click the folder you want to send. You'll need to zip (compress) the file to add it as an email attachment. The recipient will be able to unzip it on their device later.
  2. This is in the pop-up menu.
    • A new zipped folder will be created in the same location as the original. [2]
  3. If you don't already have your inbox open in a web browser, do so now. Start a new email.
    • On most email interfaces, you can click the paperclip icon to add an attachment. Select the file from the pop-up window.
    • Some providers allow drag-and-drop. In this case, drag the compressed file from your computer and drop it into the email's body field.
    • When you're finished, send the email. The recipient should be able to unzip the file by downloading to their device and double-clicking it.
    4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using Google Drive

PDF download Download Article
  1. Go to https://drive.google.com/ in a web browser. If you aren't already logged into your Google account , do so now.
    • You can use Google Drive to share folders with other users.
  2. On the home page, click + New in the top-right corner and select Folder upload . Double-click your folder to upload it. [3]
  3. This is in the left panel. You should see your newly uploaded folder in this section.
  4. A pop-up menu will open.
  6. Use the field to enter the recipient's name, and then assign them as a Viewer, Commenter, or Editor.
    • Make sure the Notify people box is checked. This will send an email to the recipient.
  7. Your folder will be shared with the recipient.
    • If you need to remove sharing permissions at any time, open the Share settings and click the X by their email.
    8. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I share a folder?
    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
    Upload it to a server like Google Drive, Dropbox, or your own personal server. Then, email the person the link. That way, you can see if they make any changes to it, and you can revoke access if you need to.
    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 2 Helpful 1
  • Question
    How do I rename a folder?
    Community Answer
    Right-click on the folder. A dialogue box will appear. Click on "rename." Type the name you want.
    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 3 Helpful 4
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Note that there are multiple compressed file extensions. The most common ones are .zip, .rar, and .tar.gz. "Zip" files are by far the most common. Different software may be required to handle different extensions.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Compression works by eliminating redundant data, replacing it with shorter instructions to restore it later. Many common file types such as JPEG or MP3 have already been compressed, and won't get much smaller (if at all) with a second compression.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • If you add encrypted files to a compressed folder, they may be unencrypted when extracted. If you need to protect sensitive information, do not compress encrypted files.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0


      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      3 Easy Ways to Attach a File to a PDF
      How to
      Compress a PDF File: 4 Easy Tricks on PC & Mac
      How to
      Compress Large Files
      7 Ways to Transfer Files to iPad from PC or Mac
      How to
      Use FTP
      6 Easy Ways to Transfer Photos from iPhone to a PC or Mac
      How to
      Set up an FTP Between Two Computers
      How to
      Upload Files to an FTP Server
      How to
      Transfer Data from Android to Android
      How to
      Access and Open Shared Folders on Your iPhone or iPad
      How to
      Enable File Sharing
      How to
      Share Large Video Files
      How to
      Find the File Size of an iOS Photo
      2 Simple Ways to Upload and Share a Google Drive File
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/zip-and-unzip-files-8d28fa72-f2f9-712f-67df-f80cf89fd4e5
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/zip-and-unzip-files-and-folders-on-mac-mchlp2528/mac
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/drive/answer/7166529?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 495,940 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • V. S.

        Sep 30, 2017

        "Was trying to send a 50mg file. Max on Gmail is 25mg. This worked!! Thanks."
        Rated this article:
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement