How do I control the folder information WinZip stores in a Zip file?

When you zip the contents of a folder, there are three ways in which you are likely to want folder information stored.

1. Store subfolder information without storing the selected folder (picture)
2. Store complete information, starting from the root folder (picture)
3. Store the selected folder and its subfolders (picture)

Please refer to the picture above to understand the example pictures that follow. In each picture of the WinZip window, a Zip file has been created containing the files in the 10October folder. You can then refer to the instructions that follow to create your own Zip file with similar folder information.

A. Subfolders stored in October1.zipx

B. Complete folder information stored in October2.zipx

C. Selected folder stored with subfolders in October3.zipx

How do I store folder information only for subfolders?

WinZip ribbon interface

1. Start WinZip and click Zip My Files
2. In the Zip dialog, navigate to and open the folder whose contents you want to zip (10October in the example picture), and click Zip
3. Choose a location in which to save the Zip file and type a name for it
4. Click Create

Legacy menus/toolbar

1. Start WinZip and click New
2. Choose a location in which to save the Zip file and type a name for it
3. Click Create
4. In the Add dialog, navigate to and open the folder whose contents you want to zip (10October in the example picture), and click Add

WinZip 12 (or earlier) and/or Windows XP, follow steps 1-3 above and then:

4. Check the box next to Include subfolders
   (Save full path info should be unchecked)
5. Click Add with wildcards (the Filename field should be the default *.*)

How do I store complete folder information?

WinZip ribbon interface

1. Start WinZip in the Home tab
2. Choose Full Path Information on the Include drop down menu and click
   Zip My Files
3. In the Zip dialog, navigate to and open the folder whose contents you want to zip (10October in the example picture), and click Zip
4. Choose a location in which to save the Zip file and type a name for it
5. Click Create

Legacy menus/toolbar

1. Start WinZip and click New
2. Choose a location in which to save the Zip file and type a name for it
3. Click Create
4. Click More Options
5. Check the box next to Save full path info and click OK
6. In the Add dialog, navigate to and open the folder whose contents you want to zip (10October in the example picture), and click Add

WinZip 12 (or earlier) and/or Windows XP, follow the instructions for storing
only subfolders, but before clicking Add with wildcards check the box next to
Save full path info.

How do I store folder information for the selected folder and its subfolders

WinZip ribbon interface

Note: The Full Path Information setting in the Include drop down menu should not be selected when following these steps.

1. Start WinZip and click Zip My Files
2. In the Zip dialog, navigate to and open the parent folder of the folder you want to zip (Letters)
3. Click the folder you want to add to select it (10October) and click Zip
4. Choose a location in which to save the Zip file and type a name for it
5. Click Create

Legacy menus/toolbar

1. Start WinZip and click New
2. Choose a location in which to save the Zip file and type a name for it
3. Click Create
4. In the Add dialog, navigate to and open the parent folder of the folder you want to zip (Letters)
5. Click the folder you want to add to select it (10October)
6. Click Add

If you are using WinZip 12 (or earlier) and/or Windows XP, use the instructions below. This context menu method will work with all operating systems and WinZip versions.

1. Open a folder window, navigate to, and open the parent folder of the one you want to zip (Letters)
2. Right click the folder you want to zip (10October), and choose Add to Zip file from the WinZip context menu
3. Make sure that Save full path info is not checked and click Add

If you have any questions about this information, please email Technical Support.

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A quick example of how to zip files with WinZip
How to Zip files with their folder information