It includes information on mailing ZIP files.

How to Create a ZIP File in Windows

There are several ways to create a ZIP file.

Here’s one easy approach for creating aZIPfile in Windows.

Windows desktop with main menu displayed

From your desktop, right-click a blank space and chooseNew>Compressed (zipped) Folder.

Name the ZIP file.

The recipient will see this file name when receiving the ZIP file as an attachment.

Windows desktop with new ZIP file displayed

The ZIP file is now ready for sending.

Another method for creating ZIP files is to use a file archive program such as 7-Zip or PeaZip.

Right-click (or pressControlwhile clicking) a file or folder you want to compress.

ZIP file folder with contents displayed

SelectCompressin the pop-up menu.

A new ZIP file appears in the same location as the original file or folder with a .zip extension.

However, sending a ZIP file via email involves the same steps as sendinganyfile over email.

Mac desktop showing the Compress option

As an example, here’s how it’s done in Gmail.

Compose your email message as normal.

At the bottom of the composition window, selectAttach files(the paperclip icon).

The ZIP file on the Mac desktop

From your hard drive, go for the ZIP file.

At the bottom of your composition window, you’ll see the name of your ZIP file.

Your recipient will see the ZIP file as a normal attachment.

Gmail message with Attach Files button selected

What’s a ZIP File, Anyway?

ZIP files are folders of files that have been reduced in sizethat is, compressed.

If you attempt to send several large attachments that exceed the limit, the message will fail to send.

Selecting a ZIP file to attach in Gmail

Many documents can be compressed to as little as 10 percent of their original size.

As a bonus, combining several files into a ZIP file packs them neatly into a single attachment.

If you frequently send large attachments and create ZIP files to compress them, consider using acloud storage serviceinstead.

Gmail composition window with ZIP file attached

These services can usually handle much larger files than what the average email provider supports.