To zip files in Windows 10, select them in File Explorer, right-click, and choose Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder. To unzip a file, right-click the .zip file, choose Extract All, and select Extract. Both tools are built into Windows, so you don’t need another app.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 25, 2026.
How to zip files or a folder
- Open File Explorer and go to the files or folder you want to zip.
- Select them. To pick several files, hold Ctrl and click each one.
- Right-click one of the selected items.
- Select Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder.
- Type a name for the new .zip file and press Enter.
The .zip file appears in the same folder, with a zipper on its icon. Your original files stay where they were.
How to unzip a file
- Right-click the .zip file and select Extract All.
- Leave the folder that’s shown, or select Browse to pick another one.
- Keep Show extracted files when complete checked if you want the folder to open afterward.
- Select Extract.
To take out just one file, double-click the .zip file to open it, then drag the file to another folder or the desktop.
Add more files to a .zip file
Drag the files onto the .zip file in File Explorer. Windows copies them into it.
Tips
- Photos and videos barely shrink. JPEG, MP4, and most music files are already compressed, so zipping them mostly just bundles them into one file.
- Documents shrink a lot. Text, Word, and spreadsheet files often get much smaller.
- Open files from a .zip after you extract them. Programs opened from inside a .zip file can fail or lose your changes.
If zipping or unzipping fails
- “The compressed (zipped) folder is invalid.” The file may not have finished downloading, or it isn’t really a .zip file. Download it again.
- “The destination path is too long.” Extract to a short folder, such as C:\Temp, instead of a deep folder or the desktop.
- Windows asks for a password, or won’t open a protected .zip. Windows can open some password-protected .zip files, but not ones using stronger AES encryption. Use an app such as 7-Zip for those.
- Files from a download show a security warning. Before you extract, right-click the .zip, select Properties, check Unblock, and select OK.
- A very large file won’t zip. Windows’ built-in tool can have trouble with single files over 4 GB. Use 7-Zip, or split the files into smaller groups.
Frequently asked questions
Can Windows 10 open RAR or 7z files?
No. Windows 10 only handles .zip files on its own. For RAR or 7z files, use a free archive app such as 7-Zip; our guide shows how to extract a RAR file in Windows 10.
Why is Compressed (zipped) folder missing from Send to?
The shortcut behind it may be missing from your Send to folder. Type shell:sendto in the File Explorer address bar to open the folder and check it. Running a Windows repair can restore it. See how to repair Windows 10.
Does zipping free up space?
It can for documents, but not much for photos or videos. For bigger savings, see how to free up space on Windows 10.
Can I zip files with PowerShell?
Yes. Run Compress-Archive -Path C:\Reports -DestinationPath C:\Reports.zip to zip a folder, and Expand-Archive -Path C:\Reports.zip -DestinationPath C:\Reports to unzip it. It’s handy in scripts, but it doesn’t handle files larger than 2 GB.
Can I email a .zip file?
Yes. Most email services accept .zip files, but some block .zip files that contain programs. If a large .zip is over your email’s size limit, share it with OneDrive instead.
To open an ISO file without burning it to a disc, see how to mount an ISO file in Windows 10.
To find files you downloaded, see how to find downloads on Windows 10.
To protect files instead of just bundling them, see how to encrypt a file or folder in Windows 10.
For .tar.gz files, see how to open a .gz file in Windows 10.
On Windows 11, see how to zip and unzip files in Windows 11.
Microsoft’s guide is Zip and unzip files. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Related: password protect a ZIP file in Windows 10.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.