How to create an archive from files and folders
Start with Drop files or a folder here. The selected files stay in the browser while Archive Creator prepares the archive, and the page does not upload their contents. You can choose ZIP, TAR, or TAR.GZ, change the stored paths, filter entries, and decide how duplicate paths are handled before downloading.
- Drop files or a folder here, or choose browse files or browse folder.
- Set Archive name and Format.
- Choose Folder paths and Duplicate paths. Add Include patterns (optional) or Exclude patterns (comma-separated) when you need to filter the files.
- Choose Compression for ZIP output, then click Compress.
- Check the Status column and select Download archive.zip after the archive is ready. The button uses the chosen archive name and extension.
How to choose archive paths and filters
The Folder paths setting changes each name stored inside the archive. Keep full paths preserves the selected path, Strip common root removes the shared directory, and Flatten to filenames keeps only the filename. Include patterns (optional) and Exclude patterns (comma-separated) are checked after that change.
Folder paths: Flatten to filenames
Original path: project/src/app.js
Archive path: app.jsUse * as a wildcard and ? for one character. For example, src/* matches entries below src, while *.tmp matches temporary-file names. Separate multiple patterns with commas. Duplicate detection also uses the transformed archive path.
What ZIP, TAR, and TAR.GZ change
Format selects the archive type. ZIP uses the Compression choices Store, Normal, or Maximum. TAR stores the selected files without compression. TAR.GZ creates a TAR stream and compresses it with CompressionStream. When the browser does not provide that API, the tool asks you to choose ZIP or TAR.
Archive name becomes the downloaded filename with the selected extension. Characters such as < > : " | ? * \ / and control characters become underscores, so the filename can differ from the value entered.
What Duplicate paths does
The Duplicate paths setting applies after Folder paths and the pattern filters. Auto-rename keeps both files by adding a number, Skip duplicates drops later copies, Keep last retains the later copy, and Block build marks the duplicate as invalid so Compress stays unavailable.
The warning list identifies empty paths, .. path traversal, reserved Windows names, unsupported characters, trailing spaces or dots, and paths longer than 255 characters. TAR and TAR.GZ also reject paths over 255 UTF-8 bytes. Any invalid entry can block Compress.
Examples for folder and file bundles
For a project folder, choose Strip common root and enter node_modules/* in Exclude patterns (comma-separated). The archive keeps the remaining paths without the shared top folder.
For a document bundle, enter *.pdf in Include patterns (optional), choose ZIP, and leave Compression at Normal. The file list shows which entries will be included before you build the archive.
For files destined for a Unix system, choose TAR or TAR.GZ and keep the paths expected by the receiving process.
When other archive tools fit
Use Archive Compress Tools to compare archive-compression tasks. Choose Files to TAR / TAR.GZ when you need TAR or TAR.GZ output from selected files, with optional GZIP compression and individual or combined output.
Select I need password protection to show instructions for adding encryption after download. Archive Creator does not create an encrypted ZIP.
Frequently asked questions
Can I create a ZIP archive from an entire folder?
Yes. Choose browse folder or use Drop files or a folder here. Select Keep full paths when the archive should retain the selected directories.
How do I remove files from an archive by pattern?
Enter patterns in Exclude patterns (comma-separated), using * as a wildcard. Matching files are skipped when you click Compress.
Can Archive Creator password-protect a ZIP?
No. Select I need password protection to see guidance for adding encryption with 7-Zip, WinRAR, or a command-line tool after downloading the archive.
Why is TAR.GZ unavailable?
TAR.GZ requires CompressionStream. If it is unavailable, the tool displays a warning and you must choose ZIP or TAR.