So you just went on a vacation with friends, and they’re asking for copies of your photos. You visited so many places that you decide to organize them into folders. But then, how exactly are you going to upload the folders as attachments in an email? Well, the easiest way to do that is to turn them into a ZIP file. Here’s how to zip a file or folder on a Mac or a Windows PC.
If you have a Mac, you can still easily unzip or extract files from a ZIP file using Mac’s Archive Utility tool. Here’s how to open a ZIP file using the Archive Utility tool in Mac: Locate the ZIP file you want to open. If you’re not sure where you stored the ZIP file after downloading it, check the Downloads folder. Double-click the ZIP. Select files and/or folders you would like to use. Right click in the highlighted area and choose Send Selected Files ToNew Zip File (from Selected Files) In the Send Selected Files dialog you can: Change the name for the new Zip file. Select a Compression Type. Choose to Encrypt the files. Choose from among a large number of possible conversions.
What is a ZIP file?
Unlike regular digitalfiles, a ZIP file is a collection of files that have been compressed into asingle file. It’s like a bunch of coins put into a single pouch and zippedclosed, so it can be easily moved, transferred, or sent. Aside from being ableto easily transport or email several files at once, zipping a file will alsodecrease the size of the files and offer you password protection.
Mac and Windowscomputers have their own built-in compression features that can easily zipfiles or folders.
How to Zip a File on Mac
If you need to emailseveral files, you can spare yourself the hassle of attaching each fileindividually to your email. You can create a ZIP file or zip a bunch of filesand attach them in batches.
If you’re using a Maccomputer, you can create zip files by following these steps:
- Put all the files you want to zip in the same folder. You can simply drag-and-drop files and folder into one location. It doesn’t matter if it is comprised of both files and folders, as long as they are in the same location.
- Next, right-click on the folder containing your files and folders you want to zip. This will open a pop-up menu. You can also use Control-Click to open the contextual menu as well.
- Click “Compress (folder name).” This will automatically activate the built-in compression feature to compress your selected files/folders. By default, your compressed file will have the same name as your folder, but with a “.zip” at the end. You’ll find your zip file in the same folder as your original folder.
How to Zip a File in Windows
How To Convert File To Zip On Mac
If you’re using aWindows PC, and you want to create a zip file for easy transport, or you planto email several files, follow the steps below:
- Put all the files you want to zip in the same folder. Make sure they are in the same location.
- Next, right-click on the folder containing your files and folders you want to zip. If the files or folders are not next to each other, tap and hold the Ctrl key and left-click to highlight or select files/folders you want.
- Finally, click Send to, then Compressed (zipped) folder. Your system will then create a zip file, which will have the same name as the folder, but with a “.zip” at the end.
If you want to know how to open a zip file on a Mac or PC, check out our guide here.
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