Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Troubleshooting
• Method 2 of 3: Using a mail service
• Method 3 of 3: Sending an archive from a computer
• Tips

A zip file is an archive that stores (compressed) one or more files. Archives save users the trouble of downloading or attaching files one at a time, which saves time and prevents them from losing or missing at least one file. ZIP files can be sent via email in several ways.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Troubleshooting

1. 1 Use the services of another postal service. Some email services will not allow you to send ZIP files for security reasons or because such services simply do not work with archives.
   • Your recipient may not be able to open (unzip) the zip file. In this case, try sending the archive to a different email address (if the recipient has one).
2. 2 Split large zip files. If you are zipping many files (or several large files), the zip file may exceed the maximum size you can send by email. Keep in mind that most mail servers set a limit on the size of files sent. Therefore, make several small archives and send them as attachments to separate emails.
   • If you have a large archive, unzip it and then zip the extracted files into several small ZIP files.
3. 3 Change the archive extension. Some mail services do not allow you to attach ZIP files or any archives to emails. In this case, change the archive extension to mislead the mail service. The ZIP file will remain an archive, but it will have a different extension.
   • Some archivers (for example, WinZip) allow you to assign a different extension to the archive. For example, if you enter something like "Zea" (without quotes) as an extension, the archive will be named file.zea, not file.zip. In this case, you will be able to send the archive without any problems.
   • Be aware that this method will not work in some cases. Moreover, you may need to download a third-party program to change the archive extension.
4. 4 Before sending the letter, make sure that the zip file is fully attached to the letter. When trying to send an email with an attachment, most email services will issue a warning if the archive is not fully attached to the email. Also, some mail services display the status of the process of attaching a file to a message.
   • If the file is fully attached to the letter, it will be displayed in the attachments section or directly below the text of the letter.

Method 2 of 3: Using a mail service

1. 1 Open the website of the mail service you are using. If you don't know the site's address, look at the domain name in your email address. In most cases, the domain name in the email address is the same as the website address of the mail service. For example, if your email address is [email protected], then go to www.gmail.com. If you are using an email client, start it.
   • Some email addresses (for example, corporate addresses) include the company's website address as the domain name, rather than the website address of the mail service. In this case, find out the address of the website of the mail service in the IT department of the company.
2. 2 Compose a new letter. To do this, click on the corresponding button.
   • In Gmail, click on the red "Write" button (located on the top left). A new message window will open.
   • In Outlook, click New (on the blue bar at the top of the screen). The icon for this button looks like a circle with a plus sign.
   • In Yahoo Mail, click on the "Write" button (located on the top left).
   • In Mail (Mac OS), click the sheet of paper and pencil icon (located on the top left). This icon is adjacent to the envelope icon.
   • In Outlook Express, click on the icon that says "Compose Mail" (located in the upper left corner). This icon looks like an envelope next to a blank sheet of paper.
3. 3 Attach the zip file. Most email services allow you to attach any file that is within the specified size. Just click the "Attach file" button, locate the ZIP file on your computer or external storage device and wait until the process of attaching the file to the letter is completed. If the file is fully attached, it will be displayed (as a name and extension) in the attachments section. To view the attached file, click on it.
   • In Gmail, click the paperclip icon (located below the email body). When you hover over this cursor icon, the message "Attach files" will be displayed. A system explorer will open where you can select the zip file.
   • In Outlook, click Paste (on the blue bar at the top of the screen). A dropdown menu will open. From this menu, select Files as Attachment.
   • In Yahoo Mail, click the paperclip icon (located below the body of the email).
   • In Mail (Mac OS), click the paperclip icon (located in the upper-right corner of the new mail window).
   • In Outlook Express, click the paperclip icon that says "Attach."
4. 4 Send a letter. Enter the recipient's email address, subject and body.
   • Sending a letter will take some time, which directly depends on the size of the attached archive. To make sure that the email was sent, look for it in your Outbox or Sent Items folder.

Method 3 of 3: Sending an archive from a computer

1. 1 Right click on the zip file. A dropdown menu will open with many options.
   • When creating or downloading an archive, save it in an easily accessible place, for example, on your desktop or in the Documents folder.
2. 2 From the drop-down menu, select the option to send files by email. The mail client will open (depending on the operating system you are using) and the archive will be attached to a new message.
   • On Mac OS, right-click on an archive and hover over the Share option. In the menu that opens, select "Mail".
   • In Windows, right-click on the archive and click Submit - Destination.
3. 3 Send a letter. Enter the recipient's email address, subject and body.
   • Sending a letter will take some time, which directly depends on the size of the attached archive. To make sure that the email was sent, look for it in your Outbox or Sent Items folder.

Tips

• If the ZIP file is very large, make several small archives and send them as attachments to separate emails.
• Double check that the zip file opens (decompresses).