1. Select the file(s) and/or folder(s) you want to compress. If you want to zip just one file or folder, skip to step 2. Otherwise, there are two ways to select multiple files and folders:
To select a consecutive group of files or folders, click the first item, then hold down the Shift key and click on the last item. The two files/folders you selected and everything in between will be selected.
To select non-consecutive files or folders, hold down the Ctrl key as you select the individual files and/or folders.
2. Right-click on the file or folder (or group of files or folders), then point to Send to and select Compressed (zipped) folder.
3. Name the ZIP file. Enter the name you want the zipped file to have or hit Enter to accept the suggested filename.
Tip: Windows automatically suggests a filename for the ZIP file based on the file you right-click on. In the example above, I right-clicked on the breadcrumbs.png file, so the suggested ZIP file is breadcrumbs.zip. When zipping multiple files, make sure you right-click on top of the one in the selection that you would want the ZIP file to have the same name.
Zip One or More Files with the Ribbon Menu
The File Explorer in Windows 10 has a Zip command in the Ribbon menu. This is convenient for 2-in-1 laptop owners who might prefer to tap to zip files rather than right-click. To use this:
1. Select your file(s) and/or folder(s) as in Step 1 in the Send To menu instructions above.
2. Navigate to the Share tab in File Explorer.
3. Click the Zip button.
The Ribbon menu method works in Windows 8.1, by the way, and the Send To menu works in previous versions of Windows as well.