Frequently Asked Questions - How to Compress Multiple Files

What is "zipping" or compressed or "zip files"?

Ever since the release of Windows XP, the Microsoft operating system has supported the creation of zip files and folders. Zip compression takes a file or group of files in a folder and compresses the data in them to make them smaller. The resulting archive file has the extension .zip, which is why many people say "Zip me those files and send it." Inside Windows Explorer, you can compress one file or folder at a time or you can compress many files or folders into a single zip archive.

Compressing files is a more efficient way to send multiple files through the free file uploading services. Please see our FAQ - Sending Big Files.

How do I compress or "zip" multiple files?

1. Click on MyDocuments, Documents, or Computer on the Windows desktop, or from the Windows Start bar at the bottom of the screen. Browse to the directory on your hard drive that contains the files or folders you want to compress.
2. Click and highlight the first file/folder in the list while holding the "Shift" key. Then click the last file/folder in the group. This will highlight all files/folder displayed consecutively in a list. If the files/folders are not all listed consecutively, hold the "Ctrl" key while individually clicking the files/folders you want to compress.
3. Right-click on one the highlighted files, and then scroll to the "Send To - Compressed (zipped) folder" option. Click the "Compressed (zipped) folder" link in the pop-up menu. Windows will then compress the files and highlight the name of the new compressed file so you can rename it.
4. Enter a descriptive name in the file name box and press the "Enter" key.
5. You can now burn a CD or DVD with the compressed zip file, or send it using the free file uploading services. Please see our FAQ - Sending Big Files.

Source: ehow.com/how_6925296_compress-multiple-files.html