How to create a password-protected ZIP file in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you step by step how to create a password-protected ZIP file in Windows 11.

ZIP is an archive file format that supports lossless data compression. A ZIP file may contain one or more files or folders.

How to create a password-protected ZIP file in Windows 11 with 7-Zip

  1. Open your web browser.
  2. Go to 7-zip.org.
  3. Download 7-Zip.
    Download 7-Zip
  4. Open the 7-Zip installation file you've just downloaded.
    Open 7-Zip installer
  5. If a 'User Account Control' window appears, you click on Yes.
  6. In the next window, you click on Install.
    Install 7-Zip
  7. When the installation is complete, you click on Close.
    Close 7-Zip installer
  8. You can close your web browser now.
  9. Open File Explorer.
    Open File Explorer
  10. Go to the files or folders you want to zip.
  11. Select the files or folders.
    Select files
  12. Right-click on the selected files or folders.
  13. Click on Show more options.
    Show more options
  14. Move your mouse cursor (pointer) to 7-Zip.
  15. Click on Add to archive.
    7-Zip add to archive
  16. In the next window, you select zip at Archive format.
  17. In the Encryption section, you enter the password you want to use for the ZIP file in both password fields.
  18. At Encryption method, you select AES-256.
    Create a password-protected ZIP file using 7-Zip
  19. Click on OK at the bottom of the 'Add to Archive' window.

7-Zip will now create the password-protected ZIP file.