Zip files offer an easy way of sharing multiple files by compressing them into one single file. In this age of technology, every piece of information is being shared and collected online. As a result, users are starting to recognize the importance of data privacy. The same concern of data security applies to zip files where multiple files are concerned. Thanks to the password protection offered on zip files, users can share these files without having to worry about data theft.
Adding a password to the zip file is like locking a door. Nobody can access the data without the key, or in this case, the password. You might or might not be aware that the Windows operating system has had this option for a long time. If you do not know how to protect your zip files with a password, this article will help you. We will discuss basic information about zip files and various methods to add a password for them
What is Zip File?
A zip file or a .zip file is a file format that acts as a storage for a large amount of digital data. It uses an effective data compression technology to reduce the size of the files. The data integrity or quality of the file remains unchanged even after the compression. Due to this quality, it becomes easy to compress large files into one file, making it suitable for sharing in just a single transfer.
For the Windows operating system, a built-in data compression program is offered. This program can not only compress the files but also extract zip files on the system. The password feature is not available in the built-in data compressor. Therefore, users have to use third-party programs to perform the same functions on their data files along with the safety of passwords.
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Features Of Zip Files
- The zip files help in reducing the overall size of a single or a batch of multiple files
- Since many files are compressed into a single file, retrieving data becomes easy from a single source
- The extraction features let you save the uncompressed files for later use. Users can therefore access these files whenever they want to
- It lets you restore the original quality and size of the compressed files after the extraction process
When Are Zip Files Used?
We are aware of the compression feature of the zip files which is a crucial factor for data storage. However, the zip files are used for a wide range of applications. We have included some of the most popular situations where using a zip file seems to be the best alternative.
Securely Transfer Information On Shared Networks
Sharing sensitive information on a shared network needs strict safety measures. By compressing multiple files into one, your safety shifts to just one file. When the zip file is sent on a shared network with a VPN, file transfer becomes a simplified and secure process. Besides this, zip files are also protected with a password to further make data transfer safe. Combine all these safety measures, and the information stored in the zip file can be transferred on a shared network with safety.
Organize Large Batches Of Information For Long Duration
Since all the data is stored in one place (one file), organizing a huge chunk of data becomes easy. Users won’t have to go through multiple locations or folders to locate certain files. They will have to just keep track of the zip file and then access it later. With zip files, the complexity of storing files will be eliminated. For example, you can store the games, software, work-related, and other files in separate folders, without making it crowded.
Share Large Chunks Of Information With Other Users
If you send a large batch of data regularly, the data can be stored in zip files. By compressing the files into a single file, sharing the information becomes easy. Being connected to the internet, and zip files helps in reducing the data usage at your end. The small size of the file also helps in sharing data at higher speeds. Also, the user at the receiving end of the zip file will have to deal with a limited number of files.
Make Space On The System Storage
All types of files stored on a Windows system use a share of the storage space. However, with time, the number of files increases and the storage space decreases. With zip files, you can compress the largest files into a low-size file. As a result, the storage space of your system will increase, making way for more data files. This option is much better and cost-effective than upgrading your system’s storage capacity.
How to Password Protected Zip Files
As the name suggests, when password protection is added to the zip files, they become password-protected files. Password is a crucial layer of security for your zip files as it prevents unauthorized access to your compressed files. The user cannot extract or even view the compressed files without entering the right password for the zip file. If you want to add this safety layer to your zip files, you can try the following methods:
1. Via Windows Encrypting File System
Since the Windows file compression feature does not include a password feature, you can get help from the Encrypting File System.
- Select the zip folder you want to encrypt. Right-click on this folder and select the Properties option
- When the new window opens, select the Advanced option under General tab
- Tick on the box next to the “encrypt content to secure data box” option
- Select the OK option at the bottom of the window
- Again select the OK option to apply the password option. The system will ask you to choose the “encrypt the file and its parent folder” or “encrypt the file only” option
- Click on the selection box beside these options, depending on your choice
- You can select the full folder to get better security
- After pressing OK, the system will ask you to backup the file encryption key for safety
- Click on the Next option until the Password window pops up
- Here you can enter the password of your choice and select the next
- The system will direct you to save the password file. Choose the location of your choice and click on the Save option
- In the ending step, click on the Next option. After checking the export process, click on the Finish option
- Inspect if the files are locked with a password. A yellow lock will appear on the encrypted folder or file
- Double-click on the folder and check if the folder prompts you to enter a password. If yes, the zip folder or file is successfully protected with a password
If the pop-up window does not appear for encryption key backup, you have to enable the security certificates of this system.
- Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Window and R keys
- In the search area, type “certmgr.msc” and press enter key
- Click on the down arrow right next to the “Personal” option
- Click on the Certificates option, and the space on the right side will open a list of certificates
- Locate your Windows username in this list and pan to the right side to check the “Intended Purposes” title
- If the certificate has “Encrypting File System” under the Intended Purposes section, you can export it to create a password
- By right-clicking on the certificate under the Intended Purpose section, open the options menu
- Click on the All Tasks option, open the sub-menu
- Click on the Export option and you will be redirected to the Password Window
- Add your custom password and process to the next page by clicking Next
- The remaining process will be similar to the one mentioned in the previous section
2. Via File Compression
You can also set a password while compressing the files. This step will not need any specialization at the user end.
- Select all the files that you want to compress into a zip file and protect with the password
- After selecting the files, right-click to open the options menu
- Click on the “Send To” option
- Select the “Compressed (zip) folder” option
- This system will start the compression and will notify you when it is done
- Double-click on the newly created zip folder to access the compressed data files
- On the toolbar, select File option
- From the drop-down menu, select the “Add Password” option
- Add a custom password in the section and click OK
- The files will be secured with the set password, and a yellow lock will appear on the protected files
3. Via Third-Party Software
If the built-in encryption of Windows is not enough for you, using third-party software will be an ideal choice. These software are legal alternatives for file compression and offer additional features that are absent in the built-in file compressor of Windows. WinRAR and 7-Zip are some of the most popularly used third-party software for data compression and encryption. We have explained the process for setting a password on a zip file via this software:
a. WinRAR(Paid)
- Right-click on the zip file and select WinRAR from the “open with” section
- On the menu bar located at the top side of WinRAR program, click on the Tools option
- Choose the “convert archives” option or just press the Alt and Q keys to launch the convert Archives window
- Select the Compression option and then click on the Set Password option
- WinRAR will ask you to enter a custom password. Add the new password and confirm it by re-entering it in the next section
- If both passwords match, the system will let you know. Click on the OK option
- WinRAR will ask you for confirmation of the encryption process
- Click on the Yes option, and the encryption process will start
- You can close the window after the process is completed
b. 7-Zip
- You have to first select all the files you want to protect with a password after the compression process
- After selecting these files, right-click to open the options menu
- Select the 7-Zip option to open the sub-menu
- Click on the “add to archive” option
- A new window for the archive process will open up. In this window, locate the Encryption section
- Under this section, you can add a password of your desire. Re-enter the password to confirm the entered password is correct
- You can also change the encryption method below the password section
- After setting the password, click on the OK option
- 7-zip will processed to compress your files and simultaneously protect them with the set password.
Password Protect Zip File on Windows-FAQs
A. To add a password to a zip file on Windows, you can follow these steps:
*Right-click on the folder or file you want to compress
*Select the “send to” option and choose the “compressed (zipped) folder”
*After your files or folders are converted into zip files/folders, double-click it to open it
*Choose the File option from the top toolbar and choose the “Add a password” option
*Enter a password of your choice and click OK to save the password and changes
*The file will be successfully turned into a password-protected one.
A. It is not possible to add a password to an existing zip file via the built-in compressor of Windows. You can, however use the Windows EFS program to add a password on an existing zip file. Users can also select third-party programs like 7-Zip, WinRAR, etc to change the password. However, users will have to create a new file with this software to change the password in the future.
A. Yes, it is possible to change or add a new password to a password-protected zip file. You can take help of the compression software like WinRAR, 7-Zip, PeaZip, etc programs. Depending on the interface of these programs, users can access the password section and change it to a desirable one.
A. The password-password protection is one of the effective alternatives for the security of zip files. The encryption level on these zip files or folders can be changed to a better level. The passwords can also be kept complex to make it difficult for hackers to decode them. Besides this, if the user has a backup of the password for the encryption key, it is important to keep them safe to prevent theft.
A. Yes, a user can open a password-protected zip file on a different computer or device. The encryption remains active on all types of devices. Hence, the user will have to enter the password to access the data of the zip file. The compatibility of the password-protected zip files makes them suitable for sharing across devices like laptops, computers, smartphones, etc.
Conclusion
Amongst various data-protection techniques, password-protected zip files are considered one of the safest alternatives. You can lock all the important files in the zip format and then lock them with a password to add an extra layer of security. By using the built-in Encrypting File System or third-party apps like WinRAR, we can add passwords to these files. This article offers information on the compression process and explains different methods to password-protect a zip file. Use this information to keep your zip files safe and organized.
