Creating and Zipping Files

Quick examples of how to zip files with WinZip

You may also want to see how to create a zip file.

Here is a quick example of how to create a Zip file (.zip or .zipx) using WinZip:

  1. Open WinZip
  2. Find and select files in the Files pane
  3. Click Add to Zip
  4. Click Save as in the Actions pane
  5. Choose a target location for your file, type a name, and click Save

When working in an open Windows Explorer folder, the quickest way to zip files is to use the context menu; that is to right click on the files and choose one of the Add to options from the WinZip submenu.

  1. Open a folder window
  2. Find and highlight (select) the files and/or folders you would like to zip
  3. Right click in the highlighted area

  4. In the WinZip submenu of the context menu that displays choose either:

    • Add/Move to Zip file: (quick) To specify your own Zip file name, compression type, encryption, and/or choose conversion options
    • Add to [filename].zip(x): (quicker) Create a Zip file using the default compression method with a name as displayed in the menu; you cannot specify other options with this method !Choose an option on the WinZip context menu
    • The Zip file is created

You also have the option to click Zip and Share (WinZip Express) when you right click in order to use WinZip Express for Explorer. With WinZip Express you can zip, choose to encrypt, and make use of many additional options such as saving to a cloud service.

Create a Split Zip File , first offered in WinZip 21.5, can be used for those times when you do not want one, large Zip file created. The size configured in the Settings tab will be used for each segment of the split Zip file you create.

Replace files with Zipped files , first offered in WinZip 21.0, is yet another possibility for quickly creating Zip files. If you choose this option from the context menu, keep in mind that every file selected, including those in folders, will be zipped individually and the original files will be deleted. Using this option particularly when uploading your files can provide quicker, easier downloading if you only need one or even a few files that otherwise would be part of a set in a large Zip file.

If you have any questions about this information, please submit a Technical Support ticket.

Creating a New WinZip FIle

Using the Default view

First, create your WinZip® file:

  1. Use the Files pane to find and choose files and/or folders you want to add.
  2. Click Add to Zip at the bottom of the same pane.
  3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 if you want to add more files or folders from other locations.

Now save your WinZip file:

  1. Click Save As in the Actions pane.
  2. Navigate to the location where you want to save your file.
  3. Type the desired name in the File name field.
  4. Click Save.

Note: WinZip's user interface dynamically changes depending on what you are doing. For these instructions to make sense, you must have the Zip pane (middle) active to see the Save As button.

Using the WinZip Ribbon Interface

Creating a new WinZip file with the WinZip® ribbon is much like creating a new word processor document: Start with an new, empty document, add content, and save.

First, create your WinZip file:

  1. Start WinZip. (If WinZip is already open and is showing an open WinZip file, close the file by clicking Close in the File menu.)
  2. Click Files and Folders in the Zip tab to open the file selection window. (To create a new LHA file, click New LHA File in the File menu before adding any files.)
  3. In the file selection window, select the files and/or folders you want to add. You can select files from your PC, a network location, or a cloud storage provider.
  4. Click Add.
  5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 if you wish to add more files or folders.

Now save your WinZip file:

  1. Click Save As in the File tab.
  2. Navigate to the location where you want to save your file. You can save your Zip file to your PC, a network location, or a cloud storage provider.
  3. Type the desired name in the File name field.
  4. Click Save.

This will create the new archive in your selected location.

Compiled from the official WinZip Knowledge Base (https://kb.winzip.com/)