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Zipping (and unzipping) a file is something can can be done quickly and easily, espcially with Windows XP or Vista. But first, a word on why you might want to do this.  The original reason for doing this was to make the files smaller, so that they could be copied onto a floppy or a cd.  There is less reason for this, as hard drive size has increased, and DVDs are in widespread use, but occasionally the need does arise for shrinking files.  Also, Gmail and Yahoo will allow you to send zipped files as attachments (but not unzipped).  If you have a large number of files or pictures you would like to send, uploading each attachment individually can take a while, so sending the entire folder zipped can save you time also.

If you are using XP or Vista, simply assemble the documents you want zipped into a  folder (you can name it anything you like).    If you want to create a new one, go to the directory where you want the folder (easiest to remember is the desktop), then right-click and select New>Folder. If you want to use a folder you already have, then simply drag-n-drop all the files you want into that folder. After you have moved all the files you want zipped into your folder, simply right-click on the folder and select Send To.  In the menu that opens up, select Compressed (zipped) Folder. XP will then zip the folder automatically, in the same directory that the original file was in. You can also zip an individual file (without dragging it into a folder).  Simply right-click the file and then select Send To>Compressed (zipped) Folder.  After it has been zipped, you can move it to a new location if you want to.  

If you are using an earlier version of Windows, you will need to download a small program to do this. 7-Zip is one that will zip your files (and it can also open up, or unzip, zipped files).  Once you have installed it, gather any documents you want to zip, into a regular folder, just like above.  Then, right-click that folder and select the 7-Zip option, then Add to Archive.  To zip a folder or file with 7-zip, you need to open up the program first (you can find a shortcut by going to Start>Programs). Then, browse by clicking the folder icon on the upper left of the window, until you see the file or folder in the pane below. Then, select the pane and then click on the "Add" icon at the top of the window.   To unzip a file, its even easier.  In Vista, siimply right-click the file, and select 7-Zip, then Extract Here. That will place an unzipped file in the same directory that the zipped file is in. In XP, you will have to select Open With>7-Zip, which brings up a window with all the files in it.  Go to Edit>Select All (or you can manually select which of the zipped files you want), and then click on Extract.  

Now I do have one caveat when using this program. Ignoring this won't blow up your computer, but it might make your life a bit more of a hassle.  The default method of compressing (zipping) files is not the .zip format, but one used by 7-Zip, called 7z.  You can indeed simply zip your files according to this format, but you will then need to make sure that whatever computer that file is on, has a copy of 7-Zip on it. Normally, this won't be a problem, because 7-Zip is a free download.  But just to make sure that I don't have to worry about this, the first time I use 7-Zip, I make sure that when the "Add to Archive" window comes up, I change the method used from 7z to zip.  You can do this by looking in the top left corner of the window. There, you will see "archive format," which is set by default, to 7z. Change this to zip.  That way, if you ever decided to copy that file onto another computer (that doesn't have 7-Zip), you will be able to unzip it without a hitch, using either Windows own default unzip utility, or any other unzipping program. In case you are wondering, the 7-zip format (not the program, but the way of compressing files) will usually compress a folder or file to a smaller size than the .zip format will.    

Keep in mind that some files by nature are already compressed, and so, zipping them won't help you out too much--here I'm thinking of MP3s, and JPEGs.  Don't expect too much compression if you are zipping them (although, again, zipping will still allow you to send them vie Gmail or Yousendit.com).