Step 2: Once installed, right-click on the file that you would like to password protect, and click Add to archive option to see Archive name and parameters dialog. Step 1: Download WinRAR from here and install the same by double-clicking on the downloaded setup file and then following dead-simple on-screen instructions. Using WinRAR to create password protected zip file So, if the file is very confidential, you better delete it after creating a password protected archive out of it. Also note that 7-Zip doesn’t automatically delete the original after creating an archive out of it. Note that 7-Zip uses ZipCrypto as the default encryption method, but you can choose AES-256 by expanding the drop-down menu next to Encryption method under Encryption section. This zip file will appear in the same folder where your original file is located. Step 4: In order to protect it with a password, move to the Encryption section, enter a password, re-enter the same, and finally, click OK button. Step 3: Here, enter a name for your archive (or you can go with the default name), and then select archive format as Zip by clicking the drop down menu next to Archive format. Step 2: Now that 7-Zip is installed, right-click on the file that you would to create an archive and add password protection, click 7-Zip, and then click Add to archive option. If you’re not sure what to download, download the one available for 32-bit. Separate setup file available for both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows at the download page. As you likely know, 7-Zip is a free software. Step 1: If 7-Zip isn’t already installed, visit this page to download the same and then run the setup file to get it installed. However, it won’t let you open or view files inside the archive without entering the password.

IMPORTANT: If you use the 7-Zip to extract a password protected ZIP file, it won’t ask for the password to view the content of the archive. Using 7-Zip to create a zip file with password In this guide, we will show you how you can use two popular tools WinRAR and 7-Zip (free) to create a zip file with password.

Luckily, there are plenty of free tools out there to create a password protected zip file.

7zip add password