Argthtjtr

I couldn't get the command line to work, instead I downloaded WinRAR and mtone was right - WinRAR does have an option to zip multiple folders into their own separate ZIP files.

E.g. C:FilesFables 01 into C:FilesFables 01.zip, and C:FilesFables 02 into C:FilesFables 02.zip.

With WinRAR, open the Folder that contains the folders you want to zip, then follow these steps:

• Select all folders you want zipped/rared


• Click "ADD" or Alt+A or Commands -> "Add files to Archive"


• Select RAR or ZIP


• go to "Files" tab


• Check "Put each file to separate archive" under the Archives box

When you've got any other settings you like fixed, hit OK and boom: multiple ZIP files of multiple folders. This worked so much easier than command line 7zip.

Just a slight update of eleven81's answer: The code below creates a batch file which multiple items can be dropped onto.

@echo off

if [%1]== goto :eof

:loop

7z a -tzip "%~1.zip" "%~1"

shift

if not [%1]== goto loop

This batch file can then be added to the context menu via the registry:

1. create a new key under [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTFoldershell], call it cmd1


2. Edit the string value and call it 'Batch Zip'


3. create another new key under this one and call it command


4. Change the value of this to your path, with double escaped slashes

So for example, my entry is
"C:UsersRoryDropbox_appsbatch_zip.bat" "%1"

Once you do this you'll have an entry in your context menu for 'Batch Zip' which will batch zip any selected folders into separate archives

However, if you do this via the context menu, it will unfortunately run all operations simultaneously, and as anyone who's done a lot of zipping and unzipping will know, zipping folders works a lot faster one after the other than all at once.

If anyone knows a way to fix this in the registry please do tell.

Dragging the selected folders onto the batch will do them one after the other.

Tip: if you're images are JPGs, they are already compressed. use 7-Zip in 'archive' mode without compression (compression level: store) this will speed up the process tremendously.

even if you use Ultra compression you will hardly gain 5%, certainly not worth the effort.

I was thinking in terms of practically
adding attachments.

i wouldn't send them as email attachment. rather upload the to a so called one-click-hosting server (e.g. drop.io, rs, mu, ms, etc., choices are plenty) and then send the download link via email to your friends and family.

I found roryok's answer to be very helpful, he provided a batch script for Windows that allows you to drag-&-drop files for quick, automated archiving.

To use this script, just save it with a .bat extension, and then you can drag-&-drop files and/or folders onto the batch file ( or a shortcut to the batch file ).

.zip files will be created in the same directory as the source files.

( although the destination can be altered in the script @ archivePath )

Some updates I made to improve ease of customization & overall functionality:

• added named variables


• implemented a for loop that iterates through the given arguments
  
  ( along with delayedexpansion to allow runtime variables )


• added if conditions to differentiate files & folders
  
  
  
  
  • this allows folder contents to be added to the archive directly rather than enclosing the parent folder within the archive
    
    ( EG:   archive.zipfile.txt   VS   archive.zipparent_folderfile.txt )
  
  
  
  


• added an error log to display failed instances or display a success message if there were no errors

@Echo OFF

SetLocal EnableDelayedExpansion







Rem //  7-Zip Executable Path

Set sevenZip="C:Program Files7-Zip7z.exe"







Rem // START: NewLine Variable Hack

Set newLine=^





Rem // END: NewLine Variable Hack !! DO NOT DELETE 2 EMPTY LINES ABOVE !!







Rem //  Set ErrorLog Variables

Set errorCount=0

Set separator=--------------------------------------------------------

Set errorLog=!newLine!!newLine!!separator!!newLine!!newLine!

Set errorPrefix=ERROR @:

Set successMessage=All Files Were Successfully Archived







Rem //  Loop Through Each Argument

SetLocal DisableDelayedExpansion

for %%x in (%*) do (



    Rem //  Use Current Argument To set File, Folder, & Archive Paths

    SetLocal DisableDelayedExpansion

    Set filePath="%%~x"

    Set directoryFiles="%%~x*"

    Set archivePath="%%~x.zip"

    SetLocal EnableDelayedExpansion



    Rem //  Source Is A Folder

    if exist !directoryFiles! (

            Set sourcePath=!directoryFiles!

    )



    Rem //  Source Is A File

    if not exist !directoryFiles! (

            Set sourcePath=!filePath!

    )



    Rem //  Print Separator To Divide 7-Zip Output

    echo !newLine!!newLine!!separator!!newLine!!newLine!



    Rem //  Add Files To Zip Archive

    !sevenZip! A -TZIP !archivePath! !sourcePath!



    Rem //  Log Errors

    if ErrorLevel 1 (

        Set /A errorCount=errorCount+1

        Set errorLog=!errorLog!!newLine!!errorPrefix!!sourcePath!

    )

)







Rem //  Print ErrorLog

if !errorCount!==0 (

    Set errorLog=!errorLog!!newLine!!successMessage!

)

Echo !errorLog!!newLine!!newLine!!newLine!







Rem //  Keep Window Open To View ErrorLog

pause

7-zip has an option to UNZIP every file into its own folder (*/), but lacks the context commands to do the opposite action you are looking for.

That said, I remember doing this exact thing using winrar in the past. There's an option "unique archive per folder" or something to that effect.

Get picasa and upload to picasa's web album. Then everyone can easily get the photos online and view them.Might be even able to upload the originals (so your family can print the larger versions)