How to Email a Folder

If you try to insert a folder as an attachment in an email, you're likely to receive an error message stating this option isn't available. The best way to accomplish it is by compressing the files or uploading the folder to a cloud service. Learn how to email a folder in Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and most other email services.

How to Compress a Folder

A zipped or compressed file is smaller in size than its original version. Combining several files into one compressed folder makes it easier to send as an email attachment. Windows makes creating a zipped file super simple.

1. Locate the folder you want to compress.

2. Right-click it, then go to Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder.

3. Wait while a new folder is created in the same location as the original folder. The new one has the same name as the original with ".zip" added to the end.

   To rename the zipped folder, right-click it, select Rename, enter a new name, then press Enter.

Email a Zipped Folder in Outlook

As long as the zipped folder doesn't exceed Outlook's default size limit of 20 MB (34 MB for Outlook.com), you can send the compressed file as an attachment.

1. Start Outlook and open a new email message.

   Press Ctrl+N while in the inbox to open a new email message window in the desktop version of Outlook.

2. Select Insert followed by Attach File. In Outlook.com, select Attach at the top of the message window.

3. Select the compressed folder if it appears in the Recent Items list. If not, select Browse this PC to find and select the folder.

   Be sure to select the folder with the .zip extension.

4. Complete and send the email message.

Email a Zipped Folder in Gmail

You can send messages up to 25 MB in size in Gmail. Provided your folder and the contents of your email are no larger than that, you can send a zipped folder as a Gmail attachment.

1. Log into Gmail and select Compose to open a new email message.

2. Select the Attach Files icon on the toolbar at the bottom of the message window.

3. Navigate to the folder you want to attach and select open.

   Be sure to select the folder with the .zip extension.

4. Complete and send the email message.

Email a Zipped Folder in Yahoo Mail

Yahoo Mail limits the size of emails you can send to 25 MB. Provided your folder and the contents of your email are no larger than that, you can send a zipped folder as a Yahoo Mail attachment.

1. Log in to Yahoo Mail and select Compose to open a new email message.

2. Select the Attach Files icon on the toolbar at the bottom of the message window.

3. Navigate to the folder you want to attach and select open.

   Be sure to select the folder with the .zip extension.

4. Complete and send the email message.

Downloading and Decompressing the Files

Recipients of the zipped folder can download the attachment and then unzip the folder to access the files. To unzip files from a compressed folder:

1. Right-click the folder and select Extract All.

2. Select the destination in which you want to save the extracted files and select Extract.

   Select the Show Extracted Files When Complete checkbox to open the files after the folder is unzipped.

3. Wait while the files are extracted. A new folder appears in the selected destination.

How to Send a Folder By Email Using a Cloud Service

An alternative to emailing a compressed folder is to upload the folder to a cloud storage service like Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, or DropBox.

Once you save the folder to your cloud drive, you can send your recipient a link to access it without giving them access to the rest of your cloud storage. Once the recipient receives your message, they click through the link to the folder and can access all its contents in the cloud.