Attachment Issues

How to Send CD Files by Email Using Gmail

Huda Qurayshi Oct 19, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to send files that are originally stored on a physical CD to a recipient via Gmail.

How to Send CD Files by Email Using Gmail

Product: Gmail
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Sharing data, photos, or documents retrieved from a physical CD media through an electronic mail message.
Observed behavior: The user must successfully transfer files from a local CD drive into an email attachment format that complies with Gmail's file size restrictions.

Before you start

Ensure your computer has a functional CD/DVD drive to read the disc, and verify that you have enough local hard drive space to temporarily store the copied files before attaching them.

Solution 1Recommended

Compress CD Files into a ZIP Archive and Attach in Gmail

Copy the files to your local drive and compress them into a single ZIP file to easily attach them to your Gmail message while saving space.

Sending individual files straight from a CD can be slow and disorganized. By copying them to your computer and compressing them into a ZIP archive, you ensure faster upload speeds and prevent data loss during transmission.

Copy files to your computer

Insert the CD into your disk drive, open your File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac), and copy the desired files to your desktop or a dedicated local folder.

Create a ZIP archive

Highlight all the copied files, right-click the selection, and choose 'Compress to ZIP file' (or 'Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder' on Windows).

Compose your Gmail message

Open Gmail in your web browser, click the 'Compose' button in the top left corner to start a new email, and type in the recipient's email address.

Attach the ZIP file

Click the paperclip 'Attach files' icon at the bottom of the compose window, locate the ZIP file on your desktop, and click 'Open' to upload it to the email.

Gmail Attachment Limit: Gmail enforces a strict 25 MB attachment size limit. If your compiled ZIP file exceeds this size, you will need to use a cloud storage service to send the files.

Solution 2

Upload Large CD Files to Google Drive and Share the Link

Use this alternative method if the total size of your compressed CD files exceeds Gmail's 25 MB attachment limit.

Share Large Documents Easily Using WPS Cloud

Instead of worrying about strict email attachment limits or compressing local files, you can manage and share large documents seamlessly using WPS Office's built-in cloud link sharing feature.

1. Open your document in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open the file you need to share.
2. Save to WPS Cloud: Click 'Menu' > 'Save As' and choose your WPS Cloud drive to upload the file securely.
3. Generate a sharing link: Click the 'Share' button in the upper right corner of the workspace.
4. Set permissions and share via Gmail: Choose 'Anyone with the link can view' (or edit), click 'Copy Link', and paste it directly into your Gmail message.

Easily share large document files via secure WPS Cloud linksBypass standard 25 MB email attachment restrictionsHighly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formatsBuilt-in PDF editing, compression, and collaboration tools

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum file size I can attach in Gmail?

Gmail allows you to attach files up to 25 MB in a single email. If your file or ZIP archive exceeds 25 MB, Gmail will automatically prompt you to upload it to Google Drive and will insert a download link into your email instead.

Why do I need to copy files from the CD to my computer first?

Optical CD/DVD drives read data significantly slower than local hard drives. Copying the files to your computer first ensures a stable connection, prevents upload timeouts, and allows you to easily bundle the files into a single ZIP archive.

How will the recipient open the ZIP file I send?

Most modern operating systems (Windows and macOS) have built-in ZIP extraction tools. The recipient simply needs to download the attachment from Gmail, right-click the file, and select 'Extract All' (Windows) or double-click the file (Mac) to view the contents.

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