How To Zip A File With Password In Windows 10

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When it comes to sharing or transferring files, zipping them not only saves space but also adds an additional layer of security. In this blog post, we will walk you through the process of zipping a file with a password in Windows 10 using a free, open-source software called 7-Zip.

Step 1: Download and Install 7-Zip

The first step is to download and install 7-Zip on your Windows 10 machine. You can download the software from the official website https://www.7-zip.org/download.html. Choose the version that corresponds to your system architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) and download the installer. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 2: Locate the File You Want to Zip

Now that you have 7-Zip installed, locate the file or folder you want to zip and apply a password. Simply right-click on it, and you should see a 7-Zip option in the context menu.

Step 3: Zip the File with Password Protection

Follow these steps to zip the file with password protection:

  1. Right-click on the file or folder you want to zip.
  2. Hover over the 7-Zip option in the context menu.
  3. Select ‘Add to archive…’ from the sub-menu.
  4. This will open the ‘Add to Archive’ window. Here, you can customize the archive settings such as the archive format, compression level, and more.
  5. Under the ‘Encryption’ section, enter your desired password in the ‘Enter password’ and ‘Reenter password’ fields.
  6. Make sure the ‘Encryption method’ is set to ‘AES-256’ for stronger encryption.
  7. Click ‘OK’ to start the zipping process. The zipped file with password protection will be created in the same directory as the original file or folder.

Your file is now zipped and password-protected! To access the file, you will need to provide the password you set during the zipping process.

Conclusion

Zipping a file with password protection in Windows 10 is a breeze with 7-Zip. This open-source software provides a simple and secure way to compress and encrypt your files, ensuring that your sensitive data remains protected. Now that you know how to create password-protected zip files, you can share and transfer your files with confidence, knowing that they are safe from unauthorized access.