Easily Use 7-Zip to Create Multiple Compressed Folders in One Go

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Quick tutorial on using 7-Zip to create compressed folders

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This wikiHow article will show you how to use the free software 7-Zip to create multiple compressed folders in one go. This may come in handy for times when you are backing up your computer files or for whenever you need to compress a lot of file folders in general. This method involves using 7-Zip in a Windows batch file.

Steps

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    If you let it install using the default settings, it should typically be in "C:\Program Files\7-zip\7z.exe."
    • For this tutorial, let's say that you have some folders from your music collection that you want to compress so you can back them up on an external hard drive. These folders are contained inside a 'larger' folder named 'My Music.'
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    You won't need to use 7-Zip's graphical user interface, so no need to run it after installing.
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    for /d %%X in (*) do "c:\Program Files\7-Zip\7z.exe" a "%%X.7z" "%%X\"
  4. If you'd like to output to .ZIP files, change the " %%X.7z " to " %%X.zip "
    Step 4 Note:
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  5. Step 5 Click 'File' then 'Save As'.
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    In our example it is in C:\My Music.
  7. Create your very own batch file by setting 'Save as type' to 'All files' and naming it something like 'foldertomultiple7z.bat'. Take note of the file extension, which is .bat. Be sure not to set the file type as 'Text Documents' too.
    Step 7 Create your very...
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    Notice that the batch file is at the same directory level as the folders that need to be compressed.
  10. DO NOT run as Administrator (option appears in right-click menu) - running as Administrator will compress the files in windows/system32. After you double-click on the bat file, the windows command prompt appears and 7-Zip begins to do its thing.

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    To do this, highlight them all and click the right mouse button. If you installed 7-Zip in its default setting, you'll have its menu incorporated in the Windows shell. Navigate to it and click 'Test Archive.'
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I zip only certain file types (e.g. PDF) across multiple folders/sub-folders?
    Community Answer
    Create a bat file with the following command (replace pdf with desired extension): FOR %%i IN (*.pdf*) DO "c:\Program Files\7-Zip\7z.exe" a "%%~ni.zip" "%%i".
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 15 Helpful 22
  • Question
    What if the folder names have spaces?
    Community Answer
    Spaces in the folder names did not cause any issues for me. Test it out on a few practice folders and you should be able to tell if there are any issues.
    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 1 Helpful 1
  • Question
    Can a bunch of files be password-protected using a batch file?
    Community Answer
    Yes; after the command, add the -p switch and then the password with no spaces between (i.e. "-ppassword"). Add -mhe on the end of that to encrypt the headers, which that means that whoever opens the zipped archive will have to provide a password to view its contents.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      Tips

      • Changing the code in Notepad so that the resulting file extension is .cbz (instead of .zip) will enable this to work well for people using this batch file to show up in comic book readers.
        Thanks
      • Keep your batch file for future use. The next time you need to compress multiple folders just Copy/Paste it to the main directory where the said folders reside and run it.
        Thanks
      • DO NOT run as administrator. This will compress the files in windows/system32. Just double-clicking from within the target folder will do the job.
        Thanks
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      Things You'll Need

      • A computer with the Windows operating system.
      • 7-Zip, which you can download from here .
      • A text editor for creating the batch file, Windows Notepad is enough.

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