This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may earn a commission.

How To Compress Folders To Smaller Size (4 Methods)



Hello, fellow primates! Are you going bananas over big folders? Well, you’ve swung to the right branch. Today, we’re going to learn how to compress folders to a smaller size. It’s as easy as peeling a banana, I promise! So, let’s stop monkeying around and get started.

Table of contents

Video guide showing how to compress folders using your web browser.

How To Compress Folders Using Windows

Windows, the jungle of operating systems, has a built-in feature for compressing files. No need for any fancy tools or bananas.

  1. Find your folder: Navigate to the folder you want to compress. It could be full of photos from your last tree-climbing adventure or just a bunch of boring documents.

    How To Compress Folders Using Windows: Step 1

  2. Right-click: Like a monkey picking a flea, right-click on the folder.

    How To Compress Folders Using Windows: Step 2

  3. Send to: Hover over the Send to option in the dropdown menu. No, not to your monkey friend, but to Compressed (zipped) folder.

    How To Compress Folders Using Windows: Step 3

  4. Name your folder: Give your new zipped folder a name. Maybe something like BananaRecipes.zip?

    How To Compress Folders Using Windows: Step 4

    And voila! Your files are now as compact as a monkey’s lunchbox.

How To Compress Folders Using Browser

EzyZip is a free online tool that can zip your files without the need to download any software. It’s as easy as a monkey swinging from tree to tree!

  1. Open EzyZip: Swing over to EzyZip. No need to download anything - it all happens in your browser.

    How To Compress Folders Using Browser: Step 1

  2. Select zip folder online: Click on “Zip folders online”. Easy as pie!

    How To Compress Folders Using Browser: Step 2

  3. Select folder to compress: Click on Select folder to compress or simply drag and drop your files onto EzyZip. It’s like tossing a banana into a basket!

    How To Compress Folders Using Browser: Step 3

    How To Compress Folders Using Browser: Step 3

    How To Compress Folders Using Browser: Step 3

  4. Set compression level: (Optional) Click the down arrow next to “Zip Files” to set your desired compression level. The higher the level, the smaller the file, but the longer it takes - just like how the higher the tree, the tastier the bananas, but the harder the climb!

    How To Compress Folders Using Browser: Step 4

  5. Zip Folder: Click Zip Folder. EzyZip will start compressing your files faster than a monkey can peel a banana.

    How To Compress Folders Using Browser: Step 5

  6. Save ZIP File: Click Save ZIP File to save the archive to your local drive. You can name it something fun, like MonkeyMagic.zip.

    How To Compress Folders Using Browser: Step 6

    And there you have it! Your files are now zipped up, no monkey business required. EzyZip also supports creating password-protected zip files and adding subfolders to your zip file. So, if you’re looking for more advanced options, EzyZip has got you covered like a canopy in the jungle!

How To Compress Folders Using Mac

For those swinging from the Apple tree, here’s how to compress folders on a Mac.

  1. Find your folder: Locate the folder you want to compress. Maybe it’s full of selfies with your favorite banana.

    How To Compress Folders Using Mac: Step 1

  2. Control-click: Control-click the folder. It’s like right-clicking, but for Mac monkeys.

  3. Compress: Select Compress from the dropdown menu. Your Mac will start squashing those files faster than a gorilla on a banana!

    How To Compress Folders Using Mac: Step 3

    How To Compress Folders Using Mac: Step 2

  4. Name your folder: Your compressed folder will appear in the same location with the same name, but with .zip at the end. Feel free to rename it to something more fun, like MonkeyBusiness.zip.

    How To Compress Folders Using Mac: Step 4

    And there you have it! Your files are now zipped up tighter than a banana in its peel.

How To Compress Folders Using Linux

For the Linux lemurs out there, here’s how to compress folders.

  1. Open Terminal: Open the Terminal. It’s like the jungle drum of Linux.

    How To Compress Folders Using Linux: Step 1

  2. Navigate to folder: Use the cd command to navigate to your folder. For example:

    cd /home/monkey/Documents

    How To Compress Folders Using Linux: Step 2

    How To Compress Folders Using Linux: Step 2

    How To Compress Folders Using Linux: Step 2

  3. Compress: Use the ‘tar’ command to compress your folder. For example:

    tar -czvf myfolder.tar.gz myfolder

    It’s like tying a bunch of bananas together!

    How To Compress Folders Using Linux: Step 3

    How To Compress Folders Using Linux: Step 3

  4. Check your folder: Use the ls command to check your folder. You should see your compressed folder, ready to swing through the digital trees.

    How To Compress Folders Using Linux: Step 4

    And that’s it! Your files are now compressed, leaving you more time for monkey business.