I had a problem with Microsoft Windows 10 where the “Compressed (zip) Folder” option was missing from the “Send to” menu. Luckily I knew how to bring it back.
Fix 1 – Clear Corrupted Bluetooth Entry
For many Windows 10 users, this seems to be the fix:
- Right-click the “Start” button and open “File Explorer“.
- Select the “View” menu and check “Hidden Items” to show hidden files and folders.
- Navigate to “This PC” > “OS C:” > “Users” > “yourusername” > “AppData” > “Roaming” > “Microsoft” > “Windows” > “SendTo“
- Delete “Bluetooth” with 0KB.
Fix 2 – Restore Default Registry Settings
A plethora of different registry keys need to exist for the “Compressed (zip) Folder” option to appear in Windows. If any one of them become corrupt, the option may not appear. To restore these registry settings, follow these steps.
Note: Ensure you have a backup of your registry before performing these steps. Use this fix at your own risk. I am not responsible for anything that happens to your system.
- Download this compress.reg.txt file. (You may have to right-click the link, then choose “Save as”.)
- Rename the file by right-clicking it, then selecting “Rename“.
- Remove the “.txt” extension, then press “Enter” to save. It should be renamed “compress.reg“.
- Double-click the file. If prompted by UAC, select “Yes“.
- You will be prompted to import changes into the Registry. Select “Yes“.
- Restart the computer.
Hopefully after restarting your computer, you can right-click any file and select “Send to” > Compressed (zip) Folder” with ease. Please share your experience in the Comments section.
Nick Wong says
Fix 1 solved the issue for me. Thanks!
Susan Butler says
Thank you thank you thank you. The first option worked. So kind of you to put this out there and save me from pulling out my hair!
Lisa says
Thanks so much! I couldn’t figure out what was wrong for the life of me haha,
Janet Schaefer says
What the heck? This worked! I was skeptical because really, what has Bluetooth got to do with .zip files? Thanks for solving this mystery.
Desbtoom says
Gave up and downloaded and installed Pea Zip.
kert kobain says
How come windows 10 design is so fucking bad. God. Everything takes 800 steps and is the least intuitive thing in the world. And FML you made it greyscale… It’s probably the worst thing I’ve ever seen.
Rossi says
Easy fix with great success, however it’s unbelivable why this worked. Wonder why this can happen in Win 10 microsoft.
Many thanks,
Desbroom says
Neither option worked.
Option (1) ‘Bluetooth’ entry was not shown in drive ‘C’ or in drive ‘D’ from which the operating system and program’s were migrated from (standard HD to SSD). (Tried both my username and Default user).
Option (2) access is denied when I try to import changes to registry.
I am uncertain when the zip folder disappeared from the ‘send to’ menu. It is in C:\Users\Default\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo and in D:\Users\Default\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo (access denied to my user name folder so unable to check if it was there also).
I am able to open previously compressed files but can no longer compress new files.
Suman Rayabharapu says
First option helped, simple / easy / quick explanation. many many thanks
babis says
First option helped, simple / easy / quick explanation. many many thanks