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To password-protect files with 7-Zip on Windows, select them in File Explorer, choose 7-Zip > Add to archive…, pick 7z or ZIP, enter a password twice, and choose an encryption method. Use 7z with Encrypt file names enabled if the file listing should also be hidden. For ZIP, explicitly choose AES-256 rather than the legacy ZipCrypto option.
Choose the archive format and encryption settings
| Format | Encryption choice | Are filenames concealed? | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7z | AES-256, as documented by 7-Zip | Yes, when you enable Encrypt file names in the archive dialog | When you want filenames and archive headers encrypted as well as file contents |
| ZIP | Select AES-256 in the Encryption method list; ZIP can also offer ZipCrypto | Do not assume so. The documented filename-encryption option applies to 7z headers | When ZIP compatibility is required and you can select AES-256 |
7-Zip’s format documentation says 7z uses AES-256 and derives its encryption key from the text password using a SHA-256-based function with many iterations. That design raises the cost of exhaustive password guessing, but it does not make a weak password safe or guarantee protection in every circumstance. See the 7z format documentation. The Add to Archive guide documents the available dialog controls and ZIP’s ZipCrypto and AES-256 choices: 7-Zip Add to Archive dialog.
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How to create a password-protected archive in Windows
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Install 7-Zip. Get it from the official download page. At the time of writing, the page lists version 26.04, dated October 5, 2026, with Windows x64, x86, and ARM64 installers, as well as Linux and macOS console builds. Check the page for current downloads and release details.
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Select what to archive. In File Explorer or 7-Zip, select the files or folder. Right-click and choose 7-Zip > Add to archive…. These are the documented Windows dialog steps; menu wording can vary by installation or version.
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Name the archive and choose its format. In the dialog, set the destination and archive name, then choose 7z or ZIP under Archive format.
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Set the password and encryption method. Under Encryption, type the password in both password fields. Use Show Password if you need to check what you entered. For 7z, the documented encryption method is AES-256. For ZIP, select AES-256 if stronger encryption is the goal; entering a password alone does not guarantee that choice.
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Hide filenames if needed. When using 7z, check Encrypt file names to encrypt the archive headers, including names. This is a separate setting from entering a password. If you choose ZIP, do not assume the filenames are hidden.
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Create and verify the archive. Select OK. Reopen the archive and confirm it prompts for the password. If filename confidentiality matters, check that the listing is concealed before sharing the archive. Test a copy first if you need to avoid exposing or changing your originals.
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Choose and keep a strong password
Use a long, unique password that you do not reuse elsewhere. Keep it in a secure place, such as a password manager, and share it with recipients through a separate, suitable channel rather than alongside the archive. The cited format documentation does not establish a password recovery method; do not rely on being able to retrieve a forgotten password.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What password protection does—and does not—mean
A password field by itself is not a complete description of an archive’s protection. The encryption method matters: for ZIP, the dialog offers both AES-256 and ZipCrypto, so check the selection rather than assuming. Filename visibility is another separate issue: use 7z and enable Encrypt file names when the listing should not be visible without the password. Neither the documented algorithm nor the password-based key derivation justifies calling an archive unbreakable.
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