How do I add a file to a zipped file when using 7-zip?

Question

I used to be able to drag & drop and add a file to a zipped folder. Now I cant when using 7-zip. I upgraded to a new computer with windows 8 (nightmare) that has 7-zip and I would either like to be able to add files to a zipped folder or install the old version of zipping files from Windows 7.

The "add" button inside the zipped folder on 7-zip does not work. It seems once I select the files I want to zip I am not allowed to add additional files to the zipped folder. I used to be able to do this using windows 7.

I don't understand a lot of computer lingo like "archive" "extract" "directory" (I really try to but seriously, I just get more confused when I try to look this stuff up) so please simplify any answers as best as you can. I apologize if my answer is already listed somewhere, I did look but only got more frustrated and confused.

Answer 1

All you need to do is drag the file you want to add into the 7-zip file manager window (the one you get if you right-click the zip folder and choose 7-Zip->Open Archive)

Answer 2

Well, a "directory" is just another name for a folder, and an "archive" is another name for a zipped folder. To "extract" a zipped folder just means to get the files out of it, by whatever method you choose. Now, to business: The 7-Zip documentation includes some information on how to do what you're attempting.

Add to Archive Dialog Box

Allows you to specify options for creating or updating an archive.

How to call this dialog box

In Windows Explorer or in 7-Zip, right-click the file(s) or folder(s) you want to compress. Point to 7-Zip, and then click the Add to archive... command item.

In other words, it looks like the thing to do is, rather than starting from the zipped folder, start by highlighting the file(s) you want to add, and use the "Add to archive..." item in the right-click context menu. That should pop up a dialog asking you to locate the archive (zipped folder) you want to add the files to, and that should be about all you need to do. (There will be a lot of other options in that dialog box, I think, judging by the documentation -- but all of them should have sensible defaults, which are options chosen right from the start, so you should be able to safely ignore them.)