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Asked: 2024-09-26T10:51:58+05:30 In:

How can I compress multiple folders at once in Ubuntu?

I’ve been trying to figure out how to compress multiple folders at once on my Ubuntu machine, and I’m kind of stuck. Here’s the deal: I have a bunch of projects scattered around in different folders, and I want to create a single compressed file for easier backup and transfer. It’s just so time-consuming to go through each folder and compress them one by one manually.

I tried using the right-click context menu to compress them, but it only lets me do one at a time. I thought about using the terminal, but I’m not super comfortable with command-line stuff just yet. I’ve seen some commands online, but honestly, they look a bit intimidating!

So, I’m wondering if there’s a simple way to do this. I’ve heard that you can use some sort of command that can target multiple folders in one go, but I’m not sure how to structure that command properly. My folders are all over different locations, so I guess I need to specify the paths?

Also, is there a particular file format that’s better for compression? I know there are options like .zip, .tar.gz, and .rar, but not sure which one balances quality and size. I want to make sure my files don’t lose any important info during the compression process, especially since I have some larger media files in there.

If anyone has a straightforward way to do this, or maybe a step-by-step guide for someone with minimal terminal experience, I’d really appreciate it! I don’t want to mess anything up, so any advice on what to be careful about would also be great. I’m sure I’m not the only one who could benefit from this, so any tips or tricks you can share would be super helpful! Thanks a ton!

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    2 Answers



    1. Compressing Multiple Folders on Ubuntu

      Compressing Multiple Folders on Ubuntu

      So, you want to compress multiple folders on your Ubuntu machine, huh? Don’t worry; I got your back! Even if the command line seems a bit scary, there’s a pretty straightforward way to do this.

      Step-by-Step Guide

      1. First, open your terminal. You can do this by searching for “Terminal” in your applications or using Ctrl + Alt + T.
      2. Nail down the paths of those folders you want to compress. You can do this by navigating to each folder in the file manager and copying the path from the address bar.
      3. Now, let’s say you want to compress three folders: /path/to/folder1, /path/to/folder2, and /path/to/folder3. You’d use the following command: 
        tar -czvf my_projects.tar.gz /path/to/folder1 /path/to/folder2 /path/to/folder3
      4. Here’s what those options mean:
        • tar: This is the command for creating archives.
        • -c: Create a new archive.
        • -z: Compress the archive using gzip.
        • -v: Verbosely list files processed (helps you see what’s happening).
        • -f: Use this followed by the name of the archive you want, like my_projects.tar.gz.
      5. Hit Enter once you’ve typed in the command. It’ll create a single compressed file named my_projects.tar.gz in your current directory.

      Which Compression Format to Use?

      As for formats, .tar.gz is pretty solid. It balances compression and speed without losing info, so it works great for media files too! .zip is also an option and is widely supported, but might not compress as well as .tar.gz.

      Be Careful!

      Just a quick heads-up: always make sure you double-check the paths! If you accidentally type a wrong folder path, the terminal won’t freak out; it’ll just ignore it. But better safe than sorry!

      Wrapping Up

      And that’s it! With these steps, you should be good to go. Compressing folders can save you a lot of hassle, especially when backing up. Don’t hesitate to experiment a little, and you’ll get the hang of it. Happy compressing!



    2. To compress multiple folders at once on your Ubuntu machine using the terminal, you can utilize the `tar` command, which is user-friendly and effective for creating compressed archives. Open the terminal and navigate to the parent directory where your folders are located. You can specify each folder you want to compress by using the following command:

            tar -cvzf output_archive.tar.gz /path/to/folder1 /path/to/folder2 /path/to/folder3

      In this command, replace `output_archive.tar.gz` with your desired output filename, and list each folder’s full path you wish to include. The `-c` flag creates a new archive, the `-v` flag enables verbose output (so you see the progress), and the `-z` flag compresses the files using gzip. This method preserves file permissions and is effective for large files, including media. Regarding file formats, `.tar.gz` is generally a good choice as it balances file size and quality while handling various file types well. Just be cautious of the paths you specify to avoid any errors!


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