How to Compress a Folder into a ZIP File on Windows
With nothing to install, and when it's worth it (and when it isn't) depending on the file type.
Windows lets you compress files and folders into ZIP format with no additional program needed — useful for reducing size before sending something by email, or for grouping several files into one.
Compressing
- Select the file or folder (or several at once, with
Ctrl+ click). - Right-click → "Compress to ZIP file" (Windows 11) or "Send to" → "Compressed (zipped) folder" (Windows 10).
A new .zip file is created next to the original, with no change or deletion to the source files.
Decompressing
Double-click the .zip file to see its content without extracting it, or right-click → "Extract All" to copy all the content to a new folder.
How much does the size shrink? It depends a lot on the file type. Text documents and spreadsheets compress quite well. Photos, videos and music already come compressed in their own format, so you'll gain little or nothing by putting them in an additional ZIP.
If you need more features (password, RAR/7z formats)
Windows' native tool covers the basics well, but it doesn't let you password protect the ZIP or work with other compression formats (RAR, 7z). For that, free programs like 7-Zip add these features at no cost.
Tip: if you need to send several files by email and your provider has an attachment size limit, compressing them first into a single ZIP is a simple and quick way to reduce the total weight, besides sending them as one single file instead of several loose ones.
Frequently asked questions
Does compressing to ZIP delete the original files?
No, a new ZIP file is created next to the originals, which remain intact with no changes.
Why do my photos barely shrink when I compress them?
Photos, videos and music already come compressed in their own format (JPG, MP4, MP3), so an additional ZIP barely manages to reduce their size any further.
Can I password protect a ZIP with Windows' tool?
No, Windows' native feature doesn't include password protection. For that you need an additional free program like 7-Zip, which does offer that option.