Zipping files: use WinZip Default view

This article provides steps for zipping files using the default view and the interactive and context-sensitive interface in WinZip 19 and later. The steps provided are not the only way to create a Zip file with WinZip. Other methods you may have used in the past can still be used.

For a more comprehensive introduction to new features, please see KB 125921. If you have configured WinZip to use the Classic view, visit KB 125915.

Before you create a Zip file, if you want to limit which type or types of files WinZip will include from your selection, you should create a filter and select to use it.

The picture above shows an empty WinZip window in the Default view. Three cloud services are displayed in this picture, because they have already been added previously by clicking Add Cloud in the Files pane. In the Zip file pane in the center, you will see the instruction Drag files here, or browse to files and click add. You can drag and drop files and/or folders from the Files pane, from the desktop, or from an open folder in Windows Explorer.

Here is a step-by-step example showing a Zip file being created by browsing for and adding files. In this example, we will add files from the Pictures folder.

1. In the Files pane, click (1) This PC and then double click (2) Pictures (you may need to double-click a folder in this as well)
   
2. In Pictures, click to the left of the files you want to select or click the box at the bottom left to select all the files
   
3. Turn options on in the Actions pane if wanted; if this is the first use of that option, you may be prompted to configure (Reduce Photos, Remove Info, and Sign PDF Files are turned on for this example)
   
4. Now click the Add to Zip icon, the one to the right at the bottom of the Files pane
5. Selected conversions will be applied as files are being zipped, and now the files will display in the Zip file pane
6. Other files can be located and added if wanted at this time; when you are ready, click one of the features under Save or Share Zip in the Actions pane (in this example, we click Save as)
   
7. Type the name you want for your Zip file; if you are saving, choose a target location for the file and click the Save button