You will see the newly created ZIP file in File Explorer.

7-Zip encrypts, and password protects the ZIP file.

(Optional) Choose the “ Encryption Method.”.

Type the password twice under the “Encryption” section.Select “ Zip” from the “Archive format” dropdown.Choose the “ 7-Zip -> Add to archive” option.Right-click on the folder you want to ZIP.To password-protect zip files, we must utilize a third-party application such as 7-Zip.

If you’re wondering, while Windows can natively create and open zip files, it can’t encrypt or password-protect them. 7-Zip is a well-known file-compressing utility for Windows. We’ll use 7-zip, a free, lightweight, open-source application, to add the password to a zip file. Can I decrypt or open a ZIP file without the password? Steps to password-protect a ZIP file.Advantages of password protecting a zip file.How to open password protected ZIP file.How to protect a ZIP file with a password.The steps below work the same in Windows 10 and 11. The good news is that zip files can be password-protected with just a few clicks. For the most part, Zip files are commonly used when you want to reduce the file size or share/store many files at once.

Add a password to zip file