Have you ever wanted to keep your sensitive files and documents safe and secure?

One way to achieve this is by password-protecting your ZIP files before saving orsharing them with someone.

If not, anyone can easilyunzip files on Windows.

How to Password Protect a ZIP File on Windows

That said, lets begin with the article.

However, you must haveWindows Pro, Education, or the Enterprise version for the method to work.

With that said, follow the steps below.

Go to the file or folder you want to ZIP secure

This will create a ZIP folder at the exact location of your original folder.

Step 4: In the Properties window, go to Advanced.

Step 5: Under the Advanced Attributes window, check Encrypt contents to secure data and click OK.

choose Send to and click on the ‘Compressed (zipped) folder’ option

Step 7: Now, click and save the decryption key from the pop notification.

You have locked the ZIP file and folders on your Windows machine.

Download 7-Zip

Once you install and are all set, move to the next step.

select Properties

Step 3: From the context menu, choose 7-Zip and select Add to archive.

Step 5: pop fire up drop-down menu next to Encryption method, choose AES-256, and click OK. With this, 7-Zip will create a password-protected Zip archive in the same folder you selected the files from.

You will be asked to enter the password when this file is shared.

go to Advanced

In this case, the next method can significantly help you.

With that said, follow the below-mentioned steps.

Step 1: Firstly, download and roll out the WinRAR program on your Windows machine.

check ‘Encrypt contents to secure data.'

Step 3: In the Archive name and parameters window, select Set password.

Step 4: snag the Enter Password field and throw in your password.

pop in the same password in the Reenter password for verification field and click OK.

Click OK

Note: Additionally, you’re free to encrypt the file names too.

Step 5: In the Archiving with password window, opt for Archive format to ZIP and click OK.

There you have it.

download and install the 7-Zip program

If you have any questions we missed addressing in the article, check out the FAQ section below.

FAQs for Password Protecting a ZIP File on Windows

ZIP files are not automatically encrypted.

However, you’re able to encrypt a ZIP files contents using a password.

choose 7-Zip and choose ‘Add to Archive.'

This can be the right way to protect sensitive files or data you dont want easily accessible to others.

ZIP files use the ZipCrypto password algorithm.

However, it is essential to note that this algorithm is relatively weak.

type the password you want to use and reenter the password again

So, we recommend using the AES encryption algorithm when encrypting ZIP files.

ZIP files may contain malware or viruses that can infect your rig or unit.

Cybercriminals may also use ZIP files to deliver phishing emails or spam messages.

choose AES-256, and click OK

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download and install the WinRAR program

choose ‘Add to Archive’

click on Set password

Enter Password field and type your password

select the Archive format to ZIP and click OK

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