Compress and uncompress files (zip files)

Compressed files take up less storage space and can be transferred to other computers more quickly than uncompressed files. You can work with compressed files and folders in the same way that you work with uncompressed files and folders. You can also combine several files into a single compressed folder. This makes it easier to share a group of files.

Watch this video to learn how to compress and uncompress files (1:18)
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To compress (or zip) a file or folder

  1. Locate the file or folder that you want to compress.

  2. Right-click the file or folder, point to Send to, and then click Compressed (zipped) folder.

    A new compressed folder is created in the same location. To rename it, right-click the folder, click Rename, and then type the new name.

To extract (or unzip) files or folders from a compressed folder

  1. Locate the compressed folder that you want to extract files or folders from.

  2. Do one of the following:




  • If you add encrypted files to a compressed folder, the files will be unencrypted when extracted, which might result in unintentional disclosure of personal or sensitive information. For that reason, you should avoid compressing encrypted files.

  • Some types of files, like JPEG pictures, are already highly compressed. If you compress several JPEG pictures into a folder, the total size of the folder will be about the same as the original collection of pictures. If you want to make pictures smaller to send in e‑mail, see Send pictures in e-mail.

  • If you've already created a compressed folder and you want to add a new file or folder to it, drag the files that you want to add to the compressed folder.

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