You've zipped your files, but there's no password option in sight. Compression alone doesn't protect the contents, so you need an app with ZIP encryption controls. Here's how to add that protection on your computer or phone, including when you've already created the ZIP.
Add a ZIP password on Windows with 7-Zip
This creates a new ZIP protected with AES-256 encryption. Install the Windows build for your computer from the official 7-Zip download page. Select the files or folder you want to protect.
Right-click the selection. On Windows 11, choose Show more options > 7-Zip > Add to archive.... On Windows 10, choose 7-Zip > Add to archive....
Set Archive format to zip. Enter your password under Encryption. Repeat the password in the confirmation field.
Set Encryption method to AES-256. Click OK to create the protected ZIP.
Encrypt every file in an existing ZIP
Already made the ZIP? The key is to encrypt every entry. Setting a password while adding more files can leave the original contents unencrypted.
Open the existing ZIP in WinZip for Windows. Turn on Encrypt in the Actions pane. Choose Options > Apply to all files in the Zip. Enter the password when prompted.
Supply any existing passwords requested for previously encrypted entries. Save the ZIP to retain the encryption.
If WinZip fails, extract every entry with 7-Zip, supplying any existing password. Then try creating a new encrypted ZIP from those extracted contents using the 7-Zip steps above.
Create an encrypted ZIP on Mac or Linux
PeaZip offers a graphical encryption workflow on supported macOS, Linux, and Windows builds.
- 1.Install the build for your operating system from the official PeaZip site.
- 2.Select your files in PeaZip and click Add.
- 3.Choose ZIP as the archive format.
- 4.Open the password/padlock control and enter your password.
- 5.Under Advanced, select AES-256.
- 6.Click OK to create the archive.
Protect files on Android with ZArchiver
This creates a password-protected ZIP with AES encryption on Android. Install ZArchiver through the official app-store links on its vendor site.
Select the files by tapping their icons in list view. In grid view, use the overflow menu > Multi-select instead.
Choose Compress… to open the archive settings. The quick Compress to *.zip action skips the password configuration you need.
Set Archive format to zip. Enter your password in Password. Choose AES under Encryption. Tap OK to create the ZIP.
Set a ZIP password on iPhone or iPad with iZip
Apple's Files app has no password field in its Compress workflow. In ComcSoft iZip with password-enabled Pro/Premium features, select your files using the circle checkboxes.
Tap Zip. Choose Zip With an AES Password. Enter your password to create the archive.
Use your browser when you can't install an app
ezyZip creates password-protected ZIPs in supported modern browsers, including on ChromeOS. The vendor says it processes files locally in your browser.
Open ezyZip's password-protect ZIP page. Select the files to archive, or drag them into the page. Click Zip Files. Enter your password.
Click Set Password. Choose Save ZIP File to save the result.
If browser creation fails, try 7-Zip on Windows or PeaZip on a supported computer using the steps above. Both let you explicitly select AES-256 encryption.
Check the protection before sharing
When you're sending a ZIP to someone else, the archive needs its own encryption. Windows account-based file encryption and a password on a cloud download link don't create a ZIP password.
Choose AES encryption when your archive app offers it. ZipCrypto, also called traditional ZIP or ZIP 2.0 encryption, is a weaker compatibility option.
Treat filenames and original source files as separate from the protected contents. ZIP encryption does not automatically hide filenames or encrypt the originals outside the archive.
Use an encryption-capable archive app for password protection. The built-in compression workflows in Windows, macOS Finder, and ChromeOS Files have no ZIP-password option. Microsoft also states that Windows 11 24H2's built-in archive support does not support operations on encrypted archives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a ZIP password through Windows Properties?
No. Properties > Advanced... > Encrypt contents to secure data applies Windows file encryption on supported editions. It does not create a ZIP password for recipients, and the feature is unavailable in Windows Home.
Can PowerShell create a password-protected ZIP by itself?
No. Compress-Archive has no native password or encryption parameter. A PowerShell command must invoke an encryption-capable external archiver to create a password-protected ZIP.
Can I change or remove an existing ZIP password?
Yes, with the existing password and an app that supports the operation. Express Zip provides Change the current password and Remove the current password through its Encrypt controls.
Will uninstalling the archive app remove the password?
No. Uninstalling an archiver does not decrypt a retained encrypted ZIP.