Windows · Guide

How to Password Protect a ZIP File on Windows 11

Short answer

Windows 11 cannot add a password to a ZIP archive by itself. Use 7-Zip: right-click your files, choose 7-Zip > Add to archive, set the format, and enter a password with AES-256 encryption.

Requirements

Windows 11 or Windows 10
7-Zip, PeaZip, or another archiver that supports encryption
A strong password you can share securely

Steps

1. Select your files
Put everything you want to send into one folder so the archive has a clean structure.
2. Open the archive dialog
Right-click the folder and choose 7-Zip > Add to archive.
3. Pick the format
Choose zip for maximum compatibility, or 7z if you also want file names hidden. Only 7z can encrypt names.
4. Set encryption
Enter your password twice and set the encryption method to AES-256. For 7z, check Encrypt file names.
5. Share the password separately
Send the archive and the password through different channels — email the file, text the password. Sending both together defeats the encryption.

Alternative methods

1. Use PeaZip with a keyfile
PeaZip can require both a password and a keyfile, which is useful when the recipient already holds a shared key.
2. Encrypt a container instead
For an ongoing set of sensitive files, a VeraCrypt container is easier to work with than repeatedly rebuilding encrypted archives.

Troubleshooting

The recipient cannot open the encrypted ZIP

Older tools may not support AES-256 ZIP encryption. If compatibility is the priority, use ZipCrypto only when the data is not sensitive, or switch the recipient to 7-Zip.

File names are still visible

That is expected for ZIP. Use the 7z format with Encrypt file names enabled to hide them.

I forgot the password

AES-256 archives cannot be recovered. Recreate the archive from the original files.

Frequently asked questions

Is ZIP encryption secure?

AES-256 ZIP encryption is strong. The weakness is the password itself and how you transmit it.

Does Windows have built-in ZIP encryption?

No. File Explorer creates ZIP archives but offers no password option.