i’m sorry, but ive actually worked it out. i dont know why the first few times i tried it, it indicated it wasnt possible. but i right clicked and added a test folder to my favourites (probably irrelevant, but the nevertheless). and since then every time i drag a folder from anywhere on the tree structure it allows me to copy it (zipped up, automatically) to my PC.
i was probably being too fast for it
but there you are, someone will appreciate this post. someday. <-)
