How to Attach & Send a Folder in Gmail (3 Easy Methods)

If you are here, you probably asked google “Can you send folders through email”? And the answer is “Yes”.

I know it feels frustrating when you try to attach a folder in Gmail, but instead, a folder opens asking you to select files not folders.

But as usual, Kevin has solutions for this as well…

Today in this “super easy tutorial”, I’ll show you some easy methods by which you can:

• Send/Attach a folder in email
• Transfer large files
• And finally, feel good 😉

Willing to read further? I know it’s a Yes. (Mind reading 😜)

Here’s the proof…

The above data clearly illustrates that people in the US, often search Google for terms like:

• How to email a folder [Avg 69]
• How to send a folder in Gmail/Email [Avg 10]
• And a few more relevant terms…

So don’t think that you are the only one who doesn’t know How to email a folder?

Anyways, Now keeping things straightforward, let me share with you the best ways to send folders through email.

#No.1 Method is to Compress the folder using compression tool and then Send via gmail

#No.2 Method is to Upload Folder to Google Drive & then attach folder in gmail

#No.3 Method is to Upload Large Files & Folder to below-mentioned File Sharing Services & send a link in the email

Keep in mind that each method has its own advantages and disadvantages.

With that being said, let’s roll in…

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Method 1: Compress the Folder & Then Send Folder in Gmail

Thankfully, Gmail supports compressed folders, such as RAR, Zip, and 7z.

Just Compress the folder contents and then attach the folder in Gmail. It’s that simple. Here are some reasons that will help you decide whether this method is right for you or not:

Now if you have decided to go with this method then here’s how you can compress the folder and then easily attach it with the mail you’re about to send…

How to Compress a Folder

Before starting with it, let me give you a quick intro…

A zipped/compressed file is smaller in file size than its original version. The benefit of combining several files into one compressed folder makes it super easier to send as an email attachment.

In today’s date, almost all the Operating Systems have in-built capabilities of compressing the files and folders quickly.

I’m a Windows user, so the following guide can be considered as How to compress a folder in Windows.

But if you are a Mac user, then refer to this article and if you’re a Linux user then refer this article to know how you can compress a folder in your respective OS.

Anyways, now let me show you the action steps…

1. First, copy and paste all the files (that you want to send) in a new folder that we are going to compress.

2. Next, right-click on the folder, hover over your mouse cursor on the Send to option then click on Compressed (zipped) folder.

This feature will combine all the files into a single compressed folder called an archive which would be very less in size.

3. The last step is to wait for a few seconds while a new folder is created.

Note: The new folder will have the same name as the original folder but it will contain the “.zip” extension added to the end.

Tip: You can use 7zip (a free compression tool) to compress your files and folders. This tool provides additional features like encryption and also provides better compression than the default one.

Next step is to send the compressed folder, let’s do it…

Easily Send Compressed Folder in Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail

Before sending the folder via any mail service, just make sure that the file size doesn’t exceed the limit of 25 MB as most of the mail service doesn’t allow large file size.

To check the size of the compressed folder, simply right-click on it and choose properties, there you’ll get to know the exact file size of the compressed folder.

Don’t worry if the file size is above 25 MB, all you need to do is to move to the next method.

Anyways, Let’s send a folder in an email…

1. Compose a new email in your Gmail, Outlook or Yahoo
2. Type this message for the receiver (not necessary but super useful)

Well, that was a shameless promotion 😜

Anyways,

1. Now click on the “Attach files” button next to send, formatting button.

2. Afterward, select the newly created Zip folder to attach it in Gmail.
3. Finally, Click on Send.

As I said earlier, unless there was an executable file in the folder, you should be able to send it to anyone. Otherwise, gmail will block it and you won’t be able to send that mail.

Now, here’s something for the receiver…

Decompressing a Folder (Receiver’s Part)

We have already mailed him(receiver) the link of this tutorial, so here’s where he will land (if he/she clicks on the link)

1. First, download the attached file
2. Next, right-click on the file and select “Extract here” (The easiest option)

3. Now WinRAR will now decompress (unzip) your compressed file & you’ll get a new folder, just open it and access the files, it’s that simple.

This was the easiest and fastest method to send folder through email, but the drawback of this method is A) you can’t send .exe files and B) you can’t send files over 25 MB even in compressed format.

If you find my words difficult to understand and implement then watch this short video that I found on Youtube…

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Video Demonstrating How to Send Folder in Gmail (Method 1)

I hope that was helpful.

Anyways, let’s discuss another method by which you can send large files.

Method 2: Use Google Drive to Send Large Files in Gmail

We know that Gmail doesn’t support direct uploads of folders, but Google Drive does, so there’s a reason to use google drive.

Google Drive allows you to send files up to 10 GB and more importantly it integrates with Gmail so you can directly email a folder in Gmail with the help of Google Drive.

Below I have listed some pros and cons of this method:

Now if you have decided to go with this method, make sure you have files ready in one of the folders.

How to Upload Folder to Google Drive

1. First, go to Google Drive & Login
2. Next, click on the “New” button at the top-left corner and select “Upload Folder” from it.

3. Now select the folder from the explorer window (that automatically popups) and click on “OK” to upload it.

Note: You can only select one folder at a time. Repeat the process to upload as many folders you like.

If your internet speed is good, the folder will be uploaded quickly. If not, then just wait until it uploads.

Once the upload is done, open gmail in the new tab and follow the steps provided below…

Send the Folder through Gmail Using Google Drive

1. Open Gmail in the new tab and click on the compose button.

2. Fill in the recipient box and type your own message (no message from me this time 😜)

3. Finally, click on the “Insert files using Drive” button which you can find the bottom

4. A Popup will appear, from which you have to select the folder you want to send and then click on the “Insert” button at the bottom. You can hold the Ctrl key to select multiple folders.

5. Once you click on the Insert button, your folder will automatically be attached to the email as a Google Drive link.

6. Finally, Click on Send.

7. After you hit the send button, a new popup will appear asking for permission like Share with 1 person or turn link sharing on (anyone with the link can view your folder)

8. You can select permission according to your requirements and don’t forget to change “View to Edit” (Refer the Image below)

9. Finally, click on the send button.

10. It doesn’t matter even if the recipient you are sharing with doesn’t have a Gmail account, they will receive the file or folder and can download your attachment.

These are the two best & known methods that one can use to send a folder in email, here’s one more method by which you can transfer large files…

Method 3: Upload Large Files & Folder to File Sharing Services & Send a link in the email

If you don’t want to use the above mentioned traditional methods, then try this file-sharing method…

An alternative way to emailing a compressed folder is to upload the folder to file-sharing services. As this is the last method, I won’t put any pros and cons in this section.

You can use services like:

1. Google Drive
2. Microsoft OneDrive
3. DropBox
4. Mega
5. Meero (No account needed)
6. MyAirBridge

There are a number of free and paid file-sharing services. In most of the cases, I will go with free ones 😎 

Just save the folder to your cloud drive, then send an email to your recipient with a link to access the folder without giving them access to the rest of your cloud storage drive.

Over to You

I don’t know about you, but personally, I find the first method to be the most convenient as I don’t share files larger than 25 MB and if in case I do, then I use services like meero and google drive…

Compressing and sending the compressed folder takes only 1 to 3 minutes, and that’s why I love that. The other methods are seriously time-consuming 😒

However, we shouldn’t ignore the benefits that these file sharing services provide like secure large file transfer (you can send up to 10 GB – 20GB) and many other useful features for free.

So using them is not a bad option at all. Anyways, it’s all up to you.

I hope that I have cleared your queries like

• Can you send a folder in Gmail?
• How to email a folder in Gmail
• How to compress a folder
• How to send a compressed folder in gmail
• How to decompress (unzip) a folder
• And a few other queries!

Lastly, I would like to credit GTricks for the images, I have used Karrar’s images for this tutorial.

Do comment down your favorite method and also comment If you have any questions or know any other way to send a folder via Gmail. I like comments and I respond to them 😉

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