Method 1: Zipping a file using the File Explorer

The first and easiest way to .zip up a folder using Windows 10 is through the File Explorer App. Begin by opening File Explorer and navigating to the folder you'd like to .zip. Ensure all files necessary are inside this folder.

Highlight the folder you're attempting to compress and right click, find the "Send To" option within the drop down, and select the Compress Folder option. 

Depending on the number and size of the files you're compressing, you may receive a progress window.

After completion, a .zip file with the same name as the folder you compressed should appear. You may rename this file however you'd like, as long as the .zip extension is retained.

Method 2: Zipping a file using the Command Line (cmd)

If the Windows 10 Machine you're using does not have the ability to compress a folder from the File Explorer, there are other ways around this. First, open up the Windows Pane at the far left of your task bar and type "cmd". Windows should automatically identify the Command Prompt app.

Open Command Prompt and navigate to the folder you'd like to .zip. Ensure all files necessary are inside this folder. 

Use the folowing command (without brackets or braces) to create a .zip file. -> [tar -cvzf (name of folder.zip) (name of folder)]

 

Windows will then list all of the files within the folder you've chosen to compress, and will output a .zip file with the chosen name from the command. 

Method 3: Zipping a file using Windows Powershell

First, open up the Windows Pane at the far left of your task bar and type "PowerShell". Windows should automatically identify the Windows Powershell app.

Open PowerShell and navigate to the folder you'd like to .zip. Ensure all files necessary are inside this folder.  

Use the folowing command (without brackets or braces) to create a .zip file. -> [Compress-Archive (name of folder.zip) (name of folder)]

PowerShell will then show the progress of the compression at the top of the screen, and will output a .zip file with the chosen name from the command once finished.