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Technology has allowed us to do some amazing things and share a lot of information with people around the world. Using email is one of the best ways to send messages and files, but every account has its limits. This may leave you wondering how to send large files via email attachment.

It’s a wonderful feeling to know you’ve finished your project and are ready to send it off for review or publishing. That feeling of accomplishment can quickly turn into frustration after you hit the send button and receive a message that the file is too large to be sent.

Your first thought is that technology should be able to handle anything. Then, you realize that you have to take other steps to ensure your information gets to where it needs to go. That’s when you figure out how to send large files via email attachment.

9 Most Efficient Ways to Send Large Files via Email

Thankfully, there are multiple ways to send large emails to another person, so you can choose the one that works best for you. Whether are asking how to send large files via email attachment or how to send a zip file through email, we walk you through various processes to get your information to the people who are expecting it.

how to send large files via email attachment using Gmail:

Probably one of the easiest and most common ways to share large files is to upload them to cloud services. Depending on what email you use, you have access to a variety of different options, including Google Drive (Gmail), OneDrive (outlook.com), and Dropbox.

Related guide: How To Download All Photos From Google Drive

When it comes to inserting a file using Gmail, here are the steps you’ll need to follow:

Step 1: Open Your Gmail Account

If you are wondering how to send large files through Gmail, if you haven’t already logged in to your Gmail account, you’ll need to do so by inputting your username and password.

Step 2: Compose a New Message

When asking how to send large files via email attachment, after you have logged in to your Gmail account, you’ll then need to compose a new message. This is accomplished by clicking on the “Compose” button with a colorful cross located in the upper left-hand corner of your screen.

After clicking the “Compose” button, a new box will open up. You’ll need to input the recipient’s email address, add a subject line and then include any message you want to send.

Compose a New Message - send large files

Step 3: Attach Your File

Once you have included all of the pertinent information, when wondering how to send large files via email attachment, you will then click on the Google Drive button, which is located at the bottom of your Compose screen and looks like a triangle with rounded corners.

Clicking on this will open another box that will allow you to choose which file you want to attach to your email. When asking how to send large files through Gmail, scroll through your options until you find the right document, then double-click on it.

Attach Your File - drive icon

Step 4: Send Your Email

Double-clicking on the file will attach it to your email. Once you’ve confirmed it is included, you can then hit “Send” and get your email to the person who needs it. This is how to send large files through Gmail.

Send Your Email - how to send large files through gmail

Step-by-step guide: How to Manage Folders in Gmail

how to send large files via email attachment using Outlook:

Step 1: Open Outlook

If you are wondering how to send large files through Outlook and you are not already logged in to your Outlook account, input your username and password to open the application.

Step 2: Create a New Message

Once you are in your account, you’ll then want to click on “New message.” Make sure to include the recipient’s email address, a subject line and a message, if desired.

Step 3: Attach the File

When asking how to send large files via email attachment using Outlook, you’ll then want to look for the paperclip icon at the bottom of your new message screen. There should be a down arrow right next to it.

Click on that.

Attach the File - how to send large files via email attachmentpng

Then, choose the “Upload and share” option. It will be next to a picture of a cloud with an arrow in it.

When learning how to send large files through Outlook, the box that opens on your computer will be the folder where you save your documents. Look for the file you want to upload, and then double-click on it.

attach file - upload and share

Another message box will open, asking if you want to upload to your OneDrive. Click the “Upload” button.

This will upload the document to OneDrive, as well as attach it to your email.

Attach the File - one drive

Step 4: Send Your Email

Once the document has been attached, it is then ready to send. Click the “Send” button to ensure the recipient receives the information. This is how to send large files through Outlook.

Send Your Email - how to send large files through outlook

Dropbox is another cloud services option you can use.

Step 1: Log in to Your Dropbox Account

To be able to use Dropbox to send large files to other people, you first need to log in to your account.

dropbox transfer - how to send large files via email attachment

Step 2: Transfer Files

Once you have logged in and are on the Homepage of Dropbox, if you’re wondering how to send large files via email attachment, you’ll need to transfer the files.

Click on the squares that make a box in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. This will open a drop-down menu, and you’ll choose “Transfer” from the list.

Transfer Files - how to send large files via email attachment

Step 3: Create Your Transfer

A new window will open, which will give you the opportunity to create a new transfer. The “Create transfer” button is located on the right-hand side of the screen, and you’ll want to click on it.

This will open another window that will allow you to attach your document(s). You can either upload files that are stored on your computer or that have been saved to Dropbox.

For documents that are stored in your computer, click on the plus button or drag and drop them onto the Dropbox screen. To add from Dropbox, click on that button.

Once you have found the document(s), double-click on it.

Create Your Transfer - how to send a zip file through email

Step 4: Decide if You Want a Link or Email

After you have added the document(s) to the Dropbox screen, you will see that you have the option of creating a “Link” or “Email.”

If you want to email a link to the recipient, at this point, you will click the “Create transfer” button at the bottom of the screen. This will take you to a new screen where you’ll see the link in a dialogue box. You can copy this and paste it into an email to send to whoever it needs to be sent to.

Decide if You Want a Link or Email - how to send a zip file through email

If you decide to send an email, you will click the “Email” button, and it will take you to a screen where you can add the recipient’s email address. You will then hit “Send transfer,” and the document will be emailed.

Dropbox will allow you to send files up to 100 MB for free.

Decide if You Want a Link or Email

Use WeTransfer

This is an online site that helps you transfer files to people around the world. To use this option, here are the steps you’ll need to follow:

Step 1: Go to WeTransfer

Using any browser you desire, type wetransfer.com into the address bar.

wetransfer - how to send large files via email attachment

Step 2: Follow the Prompts

Once on the site, you’ll then read through the Terms of Service and click on the “I agree” button.

Follow the Prompts - how to send large files via email attachment

Step 3: Upload Your Files

After clicking on the “I agree” button, the box will change and give you the opportunity to upload your files. Click on the plus sign to open the folders on your computer and find the document you need.

Double-click on the document you want to transfer.

Upload Your Files - how to send a zip file through email

Step 4: Insert the Pertinent Information

Once the file has been uploaded, you will then need to enter the email address of who you want to send it to, your email address and any message you want to include.

Insert the Pertinent Information - how to send a zip file through email

Step 5: Click on “Transfer”

After adding all of the necessary information, you will then click on the “Transfer” button on the bottom and your file will be sent.

Click on Transfer - wetransfer

Send a zip file through email using a PC

If you are asking how to send large files via email attachment, another option you have is to zip your files. This is how to send a zip file through email using a PC:

Step 1: Locate the File You Want to Send

When asking how to send a zip file through email, the first thing you need to do is find the file you want to send on your computer.

If you need to zip more than one document together when learning how to compress files for email, hold the “Ctrl” button and click on each file.

Locate the File You Want to Send

Step 2: Right Click on the File

Once you have located the file(s), when it comes to how to send a zip file through email, you’ll then want to right-click on one of the highlighted options.

Right Click on the File - send large files

Step 3: Choose “Send to”

After you right-click, this will bring up a pop-up menu of options. Look for “Sent to” and click on that.

Choose Send to - how to send large files via email attachment

Step 4: Click on “Compressed (zipped) Folder”

When wondering how to compress files for email, once you click on the “Sent to” option, it will bring up another list of options. Look for “Compressed (zipped) folder” and click on that.

This will create a file/folder of the document(s) in the same directory.

Click on Compressed zipped Folder - how to send a zip file through email

Step 5: Open Your Email

After you have learned how to compress files for email, you will then need to open your email. Type in the name of the recipient you want to send the zip folder to, as well as a subject line and the message you want to send them.

Open Your Email - how to send large files through outlook

Step 6: Attach the File

When asking how to send a zip file through email, you will then need to attach it to your email. Click on the attachment button and search for the zipped file in the folders that are opened on your screen.

Double-click on the folder.

Attach the File - how to send large files through outlook

Step 7: Send Your Email

Once the document is attached, it’s ready to be sent to your recipient. Click the send button to get it on its way.

Send Your Email outlook

Send a zip file through email using a MAC

If you have a MAC, this is how to send a zip file through email:

Step 1: Find the File(s)

Open the folder on your computer where the files are stored.

If you need to zip more than one document together, hold the “Command” button down and click on each file.

Step 2: Right Click on the File

Open the folder on your computer where the files are stored.

If you need to zip more than one document together, hold the “Command” button down and click on each file.

Right Click on the File - how to send large files via email attachment

Step 3: Compress the Files

After right-clicking, this will bring up a pop-up menu of options, and you’ll need to click on the “Compress untitled folder” option.

When learning how to compress files for email, if you are only compressing one file, the compressed folder will have the same name as the document. If you are adding more than one, the folder will automatically be named “Archive.zip,” with numbers after it if there is more than one folder with this name on your computer.

Compress the Files - how to send large files via email attachment

Step 4: Open Your Email

When asking how to send a zip file through email, after you have compressed the document, you will then need to open your email, create a new message and add the recipient’s name, a subject line and message.

Open Your Email - how to send large files through gmail

Step 5: Attach the Folder

You will then attach the folder to the email. Once it is in place, you can click the send button.

Attach the Folder - send attached email

Use a Flash Drive

Another option you have when it comes to getting another person an incredibly large file is to use a flash drive. You won’t be able to email this to them, but they’ll be able to access the document once they’ve inserted the flash drive into their computer.

Step 1: Obtain a Flash Drive

These can be found in a variety of different stores and online. They come with various storage capabilities, so find the one that will hold all the information you need it to hold.

Step 2: Insert the Flash Drive into Your Computer

After you have obtained the flash drive, you’ll need to insert it into your computer. It normally plugs into a USB port.

Step 3: Save the Files to the Drive

Once the flash drive is in your computer, go to My Computer or open a folder on your desktop. On the left-hand side of the window, you should see the different folder options where documents are stored, and the flash drive should be in this list.

Double-click on the folder to open it.

You’ll also want to open the folder where the documents are currently saved on your computer. You can then drag and drop the documents into the flash drive folder or copy and paste them — whichever option makes you more comfortable.

Step 4: Share the Drive

After you have transferred the documents to the flash drive, you’ll then need to share them with the recipient. You can hand-deliver the drive or send it through email. It will depend on how close they are to your location.

Choose an Online Transfer Service

There are numerous online transfer services that let you upload and share files for free. To use them, you will upload the document and then have the service create a link to the file or folder.

You can then share that link with whoever needs access to the document.

Consider FTP

FTP is in place to help you transfer files using a network. In a way, it works like a website, but you can download the files to make changes and then send them back.

If you want to create a secure FTP, it’s best to use a client to help you create these file transfers. FileZilla is one option you might consider using.

See What SFTP Can Do for You

This option is similar to FTP, but it adds a level of security to your transfer. If you want to limit who can access your document, then adding a secure shell for encryption is in your best interest.

Use a VPN

If you are looking for a way to keep your information private and secure, you might consider using a VPN (virtual private network) to transfer documents to another person. This could ensure it stays out of the hands of hackers or your competitors.

There is a downside to this option, including the fact that depending on how large the file is, it could slow down your connection. In addition, there’s no guarantee that your files will be intact once they reach their destination.

nordvpn - how to send large files via email attachment

Use a Hard-Drive Courier Service

This option is much like using a flash drive, but you can store a whole lot more information on the hard drive. You will then hire a courier service to deliver the information to the intended recipient.

Numerous Options to Transfer Large Files

Email has made it incredibly easy to send information to people all over the world, but there are usually limits on the size of the file that can be sent. If you’ve been wondering how to send large files via email attachment, you can achieve your goals by following these steps:

Upload to Cloud Services and Use Gmail

  • Step 1: Open Your Gmail Account
  • Step 2: Compose a New Message
  • Step 3: Input the Necessary Information
  • Step 4: Attach Your File
  • Step 5: Send Your Email

Upload to Cloud Services and Use Outlook

  • Step 1: Open Outlook
  • Step 2: Create a New Message
  • Step 3: Insert the Necessary Information
  • Step 4: Attach the File
  • Step 5: Send Your Email

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