WinZip products offer several ways for you to quickly and easily send compressed files as email attachments:
WinZip Courier
WinZip
Note: Starting with WinZip 15, a built-in program is provided that will allow you to use WinZip's email features even if you do not have a MAPI email application. To use the built-in program you will need to define an email account first.
- For more information about MAPI compatibility and problems using WinZip's email features, see Why aren't WinZip's email features working for me?
- For general information about file attachments and your email program, consult your email program's manual or online help
How to use WinZip Courier to zip attachments
If you are using a supported version of Outlook or supported webmail with a supported internet browser, WinZip Courier provides an easy way to compress attachments when you press Send or immediately as you attach your files. With WinZip Courier, you will save time preparing and sending emails with attachments because you can:
- Reduce the size of email attachments
- Send emails faster
- Save download time for recipients
- Reduce the amount of disk space required to store emails
- Reduce the time spent creating emails
- Fewer steps to compress and add attachments
- Works within Microsoft Office and email programs that you already use so there's no learning curve to get started
- Protect attachments containing sensitive information with password-based AES encryption
The WinZip Courier Quick Start Guide gives a quick overview on how to use WinZip Courier.
Using ZipSend with Courier to send large files
With WinZip Courier 3.5 or later you can send Zip files that are larger than the file size allowed by your email provider. First you must setup a ZipSend account. Then you can either let Courier choose to use ZipSend whenever your Zip file will exceed the configured size limit or you can choose to use the Attach Large File button. This latter option allows you to avoid the possibility of an error that can occur if you use Microsoft Exchange and have a file attachment size limit.
Using ZipSend, you can:
- Email files up to 2GB (Pro account required)
- Send multiple files and folders in one secure, zipped package
- Protect the files you send using strong AES encryption
- Work directly from your own email account
How to compress and attach files or folders from an open folder window
To compress files or folders and attach them to a new email message from an open folder window, simply right-click on the files or folders and choose Zip and E-Mail from the WinZip submenu on the context menu. WinZip will compress the selected items in a temporary Zip file, create a new email message, and attach the Zip file to it. You can then address and mail the message as you normally would. WinZip will automatically delete the temporary Zip file when it is no longer needed.
How to compress attachments while composing messages
You can use the technique described here to compress attachments while composing messages using Outlook or other programs that allow you to attach files using the standard Windows File Open dialog box. This technique does not require a MAPI-compatible email program.
- Open the dialog box you normally use to attach files:
- In Outlook: Click Attach File in the ribbon bar
- In GMail: Click the Attach a File link
- In AOL: Click the Attachments, then the Attach buttons
- Locate the file you wish to attach
- Right click a file and choose Add to filename.zip from the WinZip context menu
- Click the new Zip file to select it (usually at the end of the current directory listing)
- Click Open or Insert to attach the Zip file
- After sending your email you can delete the Zip file if you wish
Note: This technique has been tested with the listed programs, but should work with similar steps using other programs.
How to directly mail a Zip file open in WinZip
You can mail the currently open Zip file without leaving WinZip:
- If your default email program is MAPI-compatible:
- WinZip ribbon interface: Click Attach to E-Mail in the Home tab (if your email program is not running, it will be started automatically)
- Legacy menus/toolbar interface: Choose Send To
Mail Recipient from the File menu (if your email program is not running, it will be started automatically)
- If your default email program is not MAPI-compatible, you may be able to use the drag-and-drop interface to add the Zip file you have open in WinZip to an email message. Simply drag the WinZip status line to your email program:
- Click on the WinZip status line (the bottom line of the WinZip window)
- While holding down the mouse button, move (drag) the mouse pointer to your email message
- Release the mouse button
Note: This technique requires that your email program support drag and drop. It may not work with all email programs.
Using ZipSend with WinZip to send large files
With WinZip 16.0 or later, you can send Zip files that are larger than the file size allowed by your email provider. First you must setup a ZipSend account. Then, whenever you use one of WinZip's email features, such as Zip and E-mail, if the Zip file reaches the configured size threshold, it will be uploaded to your ZipSend account and a link to your Zip file will be placed into the message being sent.
If you have WinZip configured to use its built-in emailer, you will have the option to check the Use ZipSend box in any message. This allows you to optionally use ZipSend for Zip files that are smaller than the configured size threshold. Also, if you are configured to use this built-in emailer, you can right click any self-extracting Zip file, choose Open with WinZip and then click the ZipSend button. Your self-extracting Zip file will then be uploaded to your ZipSend account when your email message is sent and the recipient of your message will be able to download it.
If you have questions about this information, please email Technical Support.
Related Articles:
Does the person receiving my message need WinZip Courier or WinZip?
E-mail Notification - WinZip Jobs
How to use the E-mail tab in Configuration
