Zip files using WinZip

Before we can zip files we need to have the compression program WinZip installed.

If you do not have WinZip then click here to download the program. It is easy to install and configure. I suggest you use "Classic View" when prompted.

NOTE: When you download programs/files from the Internet I suggest that you create a folder on your harddrive called "Downloads". When prompted to "Save to Disk" direct the path to the "Download" folder. That way you will always be able to find the program/files when the download is complete.

WHY DO WE ZIP FILES ?

We zip files for two reasons. One is that we can combine and send several files as one file only and two, is that we can reduce the size of the file/files ( data bytes ) so that they download faster. In the following example we will zip three Word Documents into one file. The combined size of the three documents before zipping is 110K and the zipped file ( containing all three documents ) is only 19K. As you can see we have reduced the size by about 80% - a substantial saving of space and download time.

See Screenshots of before and after.

HOW TO ZIP FILES

First we need to select the file/files that we want to zip. You can select multiple files by holding down the CTRL key and selecting each file.

When all files are selected release the CTRL key and right click on one of the highlighted files. (Note: you can compress and zip one file only - it does not have to be multiple files ).

Select "Add to Zip" from the drop down menu.

We need to give the zip file a name and also instruct the computer what folder you would like the file saved in. To do this click on "New"

In the next screen we navigate to the folder we want the file to be saved in and also name the file. In this example we will be creating ( saving ) the file in the folder called "PCWin Test" and we have named the file "Zip Demo".

When ready click the OK button.

Note: Use the drop down arrow in the Create field to navigate to your folder/s.

We are now returned to the ADD dialogue windowof WinZip. Note that the dialogue box tells us that 3 files are being added to the "PCWin Test" folder located on the F Drive. Also the name of the zip file is "Zip Demo".

To create the zip file we need to click on the "Add" button.

When you get the GREEN light located on the bottom right hand corner of the program the file/s have been zipped ( compressed ). Close the program to end this operation.

You can then attach your zipped file to your email and send. The person receiving it will unzip it to expand out the file/s.

Zipping is a very useful tool when you are sending multiple files, multiple photos or one large file over the Internet/Email.

In this next screenshot you can see the zipped file "Zip Demo" in the folder "PCWin Test" that we choose to save this file in.