Zipping a folder is just like zipping a file and can easily be done within minutes in order to compress a folder's contents and keep the files organized. Generally, any program that can zip a file can also zip a folder. While some users may not be familiar with the most popular zipping software, this article will list a number of free zipping programs that will allow the user to zip his/her folders.

WinZip
WinZip is the most popular zipping program and can quickly zip files and folders of all sizes. WinZip is, of course, also able to "unzip" zipped archives quickly and efficiently. WinZip uses up very little CPU and the program itself is included in many different programs that require the user to unzip an archive for file extraction. WinZip is not as widely used as it used to be but many people still use the program for file compression and extraction.

WinRar
Currently leading the market in file compression, WinRar is an open source file compression tool that has replaced WinZip as the preferred zipping software. WinRar is capable of compressing and extracting .rar and .zip files as well as a dozen other compression formats. WinRar is known for using more CPU than WinZip but that is largely due to its effectiveness as a file compression program. WinRar can handle multiple compressions and extractions at the same time and allows users to specify which directory to put extractions or compressions into.

7-Zip
7-Zip is a program that concentrates on its ability to handle many different compression formats. 7-Zip can compress files and folders in 7z, ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2, and TAR formats while extraction formats include ARJ, CAB, CHM, CPIO, DEB, DMG, HFS, ISO, LZH, LZMA, MSI, NSIS, RAR, RPM, UDF, WIM, XAR, and Z. 7-Zip also focuses its attention on how small it can compress files which is an astonishing amount as 7-Zip can compress most files and folders up to 80% smaller than their originals.

ZipGenius
ZipGenius is fully capable of performing compression and extraction tasks but ZipGenius is more than a simple file compression program. ZipGenius supports 21 different compression, encoding, and decoding formats, encryption and decryption, and ActiveSync PocketPC. ZipGenius also allows users to simply drag and drop files into the ZipGenius window in order to manipulate them. ZipGenius has a built-in archive emailer, FTP, and TWAIN, and the program is entirely compatible with all Windows operating systems.How To Zip A Folder

TUGZip
TUGZip is another archiving program made for Windows that can support ZIP, 7-ZIP, A, ACE, ARC, ARJ, BH, BZ2, CAB, CPIO, DEB, GCA, GZ, IMP, JAR, LHA (LZH), LIB, RAR, RPM, SQX, TAR, TGZ, TBZ, TAZ, YZ1 and ZOO, BIN, C2D, IMG, ISO, and NRG file formats. The program runs on a drag-and-drop protocol that is extremely easy for new users to learn and use. TUGZip also has several features that users do not usually find in an archive program, such as the ability to repair broken or corrupted archives.

ZipItFast
ZipItFast is a good archive program that is capable of compressing files up to 40% smaller than their originals without losing data quality. ZipItFast is also capable of working with over 15 different file formats which include ACE, ARC, BH, BZip, CAB, GZIP, JAR, LHA, RAR, TAR, UUE, XXE, ZIP, Zoo, and Archive Stream. The program's interface is very easy to use and understand while showing users exactly what it is working on rather than simply showing a load bar.

CAM UnZip
CAM UnZip is similar to other archive programs but differs in its interface which may confuse some users on first glance. After studying the software for some time, however, CAM UnZip is rather easy to use. The software supports most formats and comes with a command prompt for users to access all features. CAM UnZip's main feature is its ability to add a password to a specific ZIP file for additional privacy and encryption.

Freebyte Zip
Freebyte Zip is more powerful than any of the archiving programs mentioned above. It is only 300 kb in size and does not require that the user install the software on his/her computer for it to run. The software supports the same file formats that any other archiving program does while the user is also able to add a password to archives, encrypt archives, and create self-extracting archives. The program includes a progress bar, keyboard shortcut commands, and compressions and extractions can be halted or canceled.