How do I compress the contents of a folder and later restore it? - 17 and 18

The steps you take to zip folders and their contents will vary according to your preference.

How to Zip a folder

1. Using the context menu to zip a folder
2. Zipping a folder with the ribbon interface
3. Zipping a folder with the legacy interface

How to Unzip a folder

1. Using the context menu to unzip a folder
2. Unzipping a folder from an open Zip file

Often, the quickest way to create a Zip file is to use the context menu. To do this with a folder, you would:

1. Open a folder window and locate the folder you want to zip
2. Right click the folder
3. Choose Add to filename.zip or another "Add" option from the WinZip submenu

If you have the WinZip Express for Explorer add-on installed, you also have the option to click Zip and Share (WinZip Express) when you right click. This also will zip your folder, but will give you many additional options for naming, conversions, and target locations.

If your operating system is Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista; you can easily zip a folder using the WinZip ribbon interface. To do this:

1. Start WinZip and click From PC or Cloud in the Add to Zip section
   
2. In the Add dialog, navigate to and click the folder you wish to zip
   
3. Click the Add button
   
4. The WinZip window will now display showing the folder you added. You can add more at this point or you can click To PC or Cloud in the Save section when you have finished.
   
5. Browse to the location where you want to save your Zip file, type the name you wish to use, and click Save
   

If you prefer the Legacy menus/toolbar interface, you may switch to it and use that instead of the ribbon. When using the legacy interface, the steps to zip a folder are very similar as shown below:

1. Start WinZip and click Add
   
2. In the Add dialog, find the folder you want to zip ("Moms recipes" in this example), click it, and then click Zip
   
3. The WinZip window will now display showing the files you added with their folder information. You can add more at this point or you can click File and choose Save when you have finished
   
4. Find and choose where you want to save your Zip file, type a name for your file (like Recipes), and click Save
   

As with zipping a folder, it is often quickest to unzip a folder in a Zip file using the context menu. To do this:

1. Find your Zip file
2. Right click on the Zip file
3. Choose an "Extract" option from the WinZip submenu of the context menu
   

If you prefer, you can find your Zip file, open it in WinZip, and unzip your folder from the open Zip file. Here are 2 ways to do that:

1. If your Zip file is open in the Explorer view style, you can click on your folder and then drag and drop it where you want it
   
2. With either the Explorer view style or the Classic view style, you can click 1-Click Unzip (with the Legacy menus/toolbar interface you would click Extract)

Note: Before using this method, if you are in the Classic view click the Settings tab and make sure Use folder names is checked in Unzip options

If you have any questions about this information, please submit a Technical Support ticket.