How to Encrypt a Zip File with Password on Windows and Mac (2024)

'; $('.article_new_content_left').append(dom_side_html); globleJs.scroll_cursor('.de_box_2020_1_14_fixed .box li', h2_ids.join(','), 100); globleJs.fixded_scrolls('.de_box_2020_1_14_fixed .box', ['.word_content_text']); globleJs.height_resize('.article_video_editor_banner_b .box .word'); } })

Compressing or zipping files is to reduce files, especially when we transfer files online, or when we insert files into emails and send them as attachments, compressing the files a bit smaller will make transfer faster. Zipped files can also reduce the space occupied and save storage resources.

The common compressed or zipped file formats are: .zip, .tar, .7z, .rar, .apz, .lz, .arj, etc. Like any other file, Zip files need to be well protected, such as encrypting or password-protect it to prevent snooping.

If you don't know how to encrypt a Zip file, you've come to the right place. This article displays several ways to encrypt a Zip file with a password on both Windows and Mac computers.

How to Encrypt a Zip Fileon Windows 10 with WinRar

You can download the free version of WinRAR and zip your files with password protection.

Step 1. Findthe file or folder you wish to zip.Right-click it and select "Add to archive".

How to Encrypt a Zip File with Password on Windows and Mac (1)

Step 2. Click "Set Password"and set your ownpassword. Then, click "OK".

How to Encrypt a Zip File with Password on Windows and Mac (2)

Step 3. Now, select ZIP for the "Archive format"and then click "OK".

How to Encrypt a Zip File with Password on Windows and Mac (3)

Once the compression process is finished, you'll see the zipped file in the same directory.If you are sending the zip filevia email, you will need to provide the password to the recipient later to unzip the file.

How to Encrypt a Zip Filewith Password Using a File Encrypt Tool

There are some reliable file lock and encrypt programs that you can apply to encrypt Zip files, and EaseUS LockMyFile is a renowned one. This tool can encrypt files and folders into GFL format or EXE format with an advanced AES encryption algorithm. You can open EXE encrypted files or folders on another computer.

Free DownloadWindows 11/10/8/7

$49.9530-Day Money Back Guarantee

EaseUS LockMyFile also supports hiding files/folders or password protect a folder or file in simple clicks.

Free download this file clock tool to encrypt your Zip files with a password.

Step 1. Enter "easeus" to launch EaseUS LockMyFile, register with a valid email and a license code.

Step 2. Click File Encryption under More Tools > Click Add Files or Add Folders.

How to Encrypt a Zip File with Password on Windows and Mac (4)

Step 3. Select important files or folders that you need to encrypt, and click Open.

How to Encrypt a Zip File with Password on Windows and Mac (5)

Step 4. Select the encryption mode: Encrypt to gfl or Encrypt to exe.

How to Encrypt a Zip File with Password on Windows and Mac (6)

Step 5. Browse a safe location on your PC, rename the encrypted file or folder, and click Saveto save the encrypted files/folders.

How to Encrypt a Zip File with Password on Windows and Mac (7)

Protect ZIP Files Using Windows 10Encrypting File System (EFS)

Windows 10 provides an encryption feature that enables you to encrypt a Zip file. Make sure you are a Windows Pro, Education, or Enterpriseuser as the password protect feature is not available on Windows 10 Home. Follow these simple steps to use it:

Step 1. Navigate to the Zip file you want to encrypt.

Step 2. Right-click on the Zip fileand select "Properties" in the drop-down menu. On the General tab, click the "Advanced" button.

How to Encrypt a Zip File with Password on Windows and Mac (8)

Step 3. At the bottom of the Advanced Attributes menu, check the box next to "Encrypt contents to secure data". Click "OK."

How to Encrypt a Zip File with Password on Windows and Mac (9)

Step 4. Go back to the main window, click "Apply".

Step 5. Back up your file encryption keywhen a pop-up window asks. Click "Backup now" and back up the encryption key to a removable media as recommended.

How to Encrypt a Zip File with Password on Windows and Mac (10)

How to Password Encrypt a Zip File on Mac with Terminal

If you want to encrypt a Zip file on Mac and don't want others to open and view it, you can make it by using Terminal.

There is an easy way to compress and password-protect Zip filesvia terminal.It requires some unique commands, but it's a greatway to password protect ZIP files and folders on a Mac.

Step 1. Open Terminal on your Mac.

Step 2. Typecdand the location of thefile or folder you want to encrypt with a password.

Note: If the file or folder is saved onthe desktop, type cd desktop.

Step 3. Type this command into Terminal: zip -er filename.zip.

Step 4. Enter and verify the password to encrypt the Zip file. To avoid forgetting your password, be sure to record it in a secure place.

When the process completes, you'll now see a compressed file. When you try to open it, it will require you to enter the password you typed into Terminal.

It's Easy to Encrypt a Zip File on Windows 10 and Mac

We have provided four methods in this tutorial to help you encrypt a Zip file with a password on both Windows and Mac. To encrypt a Zip file on Windows 10, to sum up, you can do it in three ways by using the WinRAR password protect feature, Windows Encrypting File System (EFS), or applying a third-party tool - EaseUS LockMyFile, which offers simple and safe solutions for file hide, lock, and encrypt.

Free DownloadWindows 11/10/8/7

$49.9530-Day Money Back Guarantee

How to Encrypt a Zip File with Password on Windows and Mac (2024)

FAQs

How to Encrypt a zip file with a password on a Mac? ›

Encrypt a zip file in the Mac Terminal
  1. Open your Spotlight Search bar and search Terminal. ...
  2. Type zip -er desiredfilename. ...
  3. Drag and drop the file or files you want to compress into a zip file into the Terminal window.
  4. Press the Enter key.
  5. Next you will be prompted to enter a password.
Sep 28, 2023

How do I password protect a folder in Windows and Mac? ›

Use encryption to password protect a folder or a file
  1. Navigate to the folder or file you want to encrypt.
  2. Right-click the item, click Properties, then click Advanced.
  3. Check Encrypt contents to secure data. ...
  4. Windows then asks if you want to encrypt only the file or its parent folder and all the files within that as well.
Aug 12, 2023

How do I password protect a zip file in Windows? ›

Zipped folder
  1. In Windows Explorer, highlight and right-click on the files you would like to put into a zipped file.
  2. Select Send to, then Zip folder (compressed). ...
  3. Double-click the zipped file, then select File and Add Password.
  4. Fill out the requested information, then click Apply.

Why can't I password protect a zip file? ›

Can you put a password on a zip file? Windows doesn't have an option to protect your zipped file with a password, so there's no other way but to use third-party tools. You can choose from various trusted software options, such as WinZip, WinRAR(read more about safely using WinRAR), and 7-Zip.

How do I Encrypt a zip file with a password? ›

Right-click on the zip folder you want to encrypt. Alternately, you can press and hold on the file when using touch-enabled devices. Select "Properties" from the new menu and click "Advanced." Choose the "Encrypt Contents to Secure Data Box" option.

How can I encrypt the contents of files and folders in Windows or Mac OS? ›

In Windows, right-click the file you want to encrypt and select Properties. Select the Advanced… button and check the Encrypt contents box to secure your file. In Mac, you'll need to open the Disk Utility application and go to File → New Image → Image from Folder and select the folder you want to encrypt.

How do I password protect individual files and folders on Mac? ›

Go to the folder you want to password protect and select “Image”. From the next window select the image format as “Read/Write”, and encryption as “128-bit AES”. Click “Save”. Type in a password, or click the “Key” icon to generate automatic password.

Why can't I encrypt my folder in Windows 11? ›

The grayed out "Encrypt contents to secure data" option usually indicates that the feature is not available on your device. In Windows 11 Home, you can use the device encryption feature to encrypt your files and folders. Here's how to turn on device encryption: Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.

How do I password protect a PDF or Zip file? ›

Protect your file with passwords
  1. Open a PDF in Acrobat.
  2. Select Protect from the menu on the right.
  3. In the Protect banner above the document window, click Protect Using Password.
  4. Type in your password and save it in a safe location because password recovery is not available.

How to encrypt a file? ›

How to encrypt a file on Android. You'll need third-party software to encrypt files on an Android — unless you wish to encrypt your entire device. Third-party apps will ask you to import the files you want to protect. This will save an encrypted copy of the file on the app's drive.

Where is Zip file password stored? ›

Passwords are never stored in zip file or any other encrypted files. The notion of password to login is different from decryption. The zip file doesn't let you in on the file after verifying the password, rather the password is the key to decrypt the encrypted file, which then become readable/us able.

How to encrypt a file on a Mac? ›

In the Finder on your Mac, open a window, then Control-click the item you want to encrypt in the sidebar. Choose Encrypt [item name] from the shortcut menu. Create a password for the disk and click Encrypt Disk. Important: Be sure to record and keep this password in a safe place.

Do you need 7-Zip to open a password protected Zip file? ›

7-Zip is a free file compression program that also allows you to encrypt and password protect the files you compress. You can compress multiple files into a single archive file. For someone to open an encrypted file created with 7-Zip that person will need to have 7-Zip or a compatible program.

How to lock a Zip file with 7-Zip password? ›

From the "Archive format" field, select zip. Under the "Encryption" section, enter a strong password or passphrase in the "Enter passphrase" field and again in the "Reenter passphrase" field. Ensure the "Encryption method" is AES-256. Onced finished, click OK.

How do I securely Encrypt a file on a Mac? ›

In the Finder on your Mac, open a window, then Control-click the item you want to encrypt in the sidebar. Choose Encrypt [item name] from the shortcut menu. Create a password for the disk and click Encrypt Disk. Important: Be sure to record and keep this password in a safe place.

How do I password protect a file on a Mac? ›

Require a password to open a document

Choose File > Set Password (from the File menu at the top of your screen), enter the requested information, then click Set Password. If your computer isn't set up for Touch ID, “Remember this password in my keychain” appears.

How do I lock a file on my Mac? ›

Lock a closed document: Select it in a Finder window or on the desktop, choose File > Get Info, click the arrow next to General, then select Locked. Lock an open document: Hold the pointer to the right of the document title in the toolbar, click the down arrow , then select Locked.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ouida Strosin DO

Last Updated:

Views: 5640

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ouida Strosin DO

Birthday: 1995-04-27

Address: Suite 927 930 Kilback Radial, Candidaville, TN 87795

Phone: +8561498978366

Job: Legacy Manufacturing Specialist

Hobby: Singing, Mountain biking, Water sports, Water sports, Taxidermy, Polo, Pet

Introduction: My name is Ouida Strosin DO, I am a precious, combative, spotless, modern, spotless, beautiful, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.