Find and select the file or files you’d like to zip and password-protect.Launch “File Explorer” by clicking on its icon in the Windows taskbar.To create a password-protected zip archive using the free 7-Zip app, follow these instructions: The process is straightforward and once you’ve downloaded and installed one of these apps, you can easily secure your zip files. Thankfully, you can still protect them by using a free app.

Windows 10 doesn’t have a resource for password-protecting zip files. By adding a layer of security to your zip files, you can rest easy knowing that only you and those you’ve entrusted the password to can extract and view them. It’s important to write down the password and store it in a safe location. WinRAR will create the zip file and place it in the same folder as the source files.

Type in a password and then reenter it to confirm.Under the “Archive format” heading, select “ZIP.” Using the drop-down menu, select “WinRAR” and then “Add to archive.”.Choose your file or files and right-click with a light-drag on any of them.Open “File Explorer” by tapping on its icon in the Windows taskbar.Download and install WinRAR on your PC.To password protect a zip file using the free WinRAR app, follow these steps: If you send someone the zip archive, they’ll also need the password to see the file or files. Be sure to write down the password in a secure location as you’ll need it to extract the files. The zip archive will be created in the folder where your source file or files are located. For “Encryption method,” pick “AES-256.”.In the popup window, under the heading “Encryption,” type in a password and then reenter it to confirm.From the new drop-down menu, pick “Add to Archive.”.Right-click the file (or any that you’ve selected if more than one) and from the drop-down menu, choose “7-Zip.”.Locate and select the file or files you’d like to zip.From the Windows taskbar, click on the “File Explorer” app.Download and install 7-Zip on your Windows PC.

How to add password to zip file