How to Compress Email Attachments

Although many email clients allow you to send attachments up to 15 megabytes (MB) in size in an email, you will need to compress some files in order to prevent the server from bouncing back the email. Both PCs and Macintosh computers come with built-in compression applications, and you can also download third-party zip programs to compress your files. Look for these programs for free on Windows- and Mac-specific software sites. (See References section below.)

Things You'll Need

• Third-party compression software

Instructions

Attachment Compression for Macintosh Computers

1. Open Finder. Click the "Finder" icon on your dock, or click "File" at the top of your screen and click "New Finder Window" from the drop-down menu.

2. Locate the file you wish to compress, and right-click the file.

3. Click "Compress (file name)" from the pop-up menu.

File Compression for PCs

1. Open Windows Explorer. Click "Start," then "All Programs," then "Windows Explorer." Alternatively, click the "My Computer" icon on your desktop.

2. Right-click the file you wish to compress, and click "Send To" from the pop-up menu.

3. Click "Compressed (zipped) file" from the side menu.

File Compression using Third-Party Software for Mac

1. Open your Internet browser. Type "cnet.com" (without the quotes) in the URL field, and press the "Return" key. Click the "Downloads" tab near the search bar, and type "file compression." Press the "Return" key to begin your search.

2. Click the "Download Now" button in the "YemuZip" section to save the file to your computer.

3. Drag the "YemuZip" icon to your "Applications" folder to install it to your hard drive, and double-click the "YemuZip" icon in your "Applications" folder to run the program.

4. Click and drag the file you wish to compress to the YemuZip window. Type in a name for the file, and click the "PC Compatible" tab to change the compatibility from PC compatible to exclusively Mac. Click the "OK" button.

File Compression using Third-Party Software for Windows

1. Open your Internet browser. Type "cnet.com" in the URL field, and press the "Return" key. Click the "Downloads" tab near the search bar, and type "file compression" (without the quotes). Press the "Return" key to begin your search.

2. Click the "Download Now" button in the "WinZip" section, and click "Run" to automatically run the file once it has finished downloading to your computer.

3. Click "Next," and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation wizard.

4. Open Windows Explorer. Right-click the file you wish to compress, and click "Add to (filename).zip."

References

• Winzip.com: A Quick Example of How to Zip Files with WinZip
• CNet.com: YemuZip for Mac
• Microsoft.com: Microsoft XP - Create a Zipped Compressed Folder