If you put the files you'd like to protect in a zip file, you can then apply a password. In Windows Explorer, highlight and right-click on the files you would like to put into a zipped file. Select Send to, then Zip folder (compressed). Follow the prompts to name and save the folder. Double-click the zipped file, then select File and Add Password. With folder encryption built-in and several third-party methods available, it’s never been easier to password protect a folder and protect your most important files in Windows 10. With AES encryption available for EFS and 7-Zip files, your files will be (close to) unbreakable, giving you additional peace of mind. WinZip does more than just password protect zip files Check out some of the other file management features (beyond zipping and unzipping) in WinZip, like Compress Image, Compress Folder, Zip PDF and more! Zip, save, and manage files with ease in WinZip. The simplest method I can think of is to zip the folder into an encrypted archive - but be prepared for people to unzip it elsewhere 'for convenience', or to forget the password and expect you to magically recover it.

1. Unzipping Password Protected Zip Files Mac
2. Password Protect Zip Folder Mac
3. How To Encrypt Zip Folder Mac
4. How Do I Password Protect A Zip File On A Mac
5. Password Protect Zip Folder Mac Terminal

Would you like to prevent unauthorized people from accessing sensitive data that you store on data servers and shared computers, or send via email? Then it’s best to use password-protected archive files, like those in ZIP format.

You can password protect ZIP files on both Windows 10 and macOS. However, the range of functions provided by your system’s password-protection tools are limited. For this reason, we recommend using external software.

Password Protect ZIP Files with Windows System Tools

Microsoft Windows 10 provides a feature for password protecting files and folders which is integrated in the operating system. Windows password protection can also protect ZIP files from unauthorized access, without having to use third-party software. To activate password protection for your files, follow these steps:

Windows password protection is only available in the editions Microsoft Windows 10 Pro, Education, and Enterprise, not in Windows 10 Home.

Step 1: Using the right mouse button, click on the ZIP file that you would like to password protect.

Step 2: In the shortcut menu, select the “Properties” option to open the file properties.

Step 3: In the “General” tab, click on “Advanced” in order to open the “Advanced Attribute” dialog window.

Step 4: In the “Advanced Attributes” dialog window, select the check box next to “Encrypt contents to secure data”.

Step 5: Close the “Advanced Attributes” dialog window by clicking on “OK” and save the change in file properties by clicking on “OK” or “Apply”.

The file icon now displays a padlock. This indicates that the corresponding file is password protected. But what does this actually mean?

After you have activated password protection, you’ll note that you can still open the file without a password prompt. File content can also be displayed and processed without changes. Nevertheless, the file is password protected – with a key generated by Windows that is stored in your user account.

You have access to the file as long as you are logged into your user account. By contrast, other users will be denied access. This can be very practical in many situations. However, only in a few application cases does it serve as a password-protected ZIP file. For instance, this feature is not intended for sending password-protected ZIP files. For this, we recommend using a compression program with an encryption feature.

Encrypting File Folders with macOS Standard Tools

Though it’s true the Apple operating system macOS does not offer any native features for password protecting ZIP files, you can however protect the directories – in which ZIP files are located – as image files. To do so, follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a new folder in Finder – macOS’ standard file manager.

Step 2: Relocate all ZIP files that you’d like to protect into the folder you just created.

Step 3: Open the macOS hard drive service program. You can do this via Spotlight search.

Step 4: Click on “File” in the menu bar above and choose “Image from Folder” under “New Image”.

Step 5: Choose the folder you created at the beginning that has the files you wish to protect and click on “Open”.

Step 6: Give the image a name and choose a save location.

Step 7: Choose the type of encryption:

• 128-Bit-AES encryption (recommended)
• 256-Bit-AES encryption (more secure, but slower)

Step 8: Enter a password of your choosing and confirm entry by clicking on “Choose”.

Step 9: Make sure that the image format is set to “Compressed” and complete the process by clicking on “Save”.

The encrypted image is created in .dmg format in the save location you specified.

Select the image by double-clicking on it and entering your password to access the password-protected file.

An open .dmg file is displayed as an integrated drive in Finder.

Eject the image via Finder if you are no longer using the protected files. Otherwise, they will remain accessible without a password prompt.

To make sure that your data is protected from unauthorized access, you should delete the unencrypted original data.

Password Protecting ZIP Files with Third-Party Software

Since the options for each operating system are limited, we recommend using a third-party program. For example, we have chosen 7-Zip, a free packer application with a high compression rate and reliable encryption. It creates archive files in the 7z, TAR, WIM, and ZIP formats. The program’s encryption feature is available for 7z and ZIP files.

Follow these steps to create a password-protected archive file for any file folder of your choosing:

Step 1: Download the open-source 7-Zip compression program from the provider’s website and install the software on your system.

7-Zip is automatically integrated into the Windows Explorer shortcut menu.

Step 2: Using the right mouse button, click on the file folder that you would like to encrypt.

Step 3: Choose “7-Zip” in the shortcut menu and click on “Add to archives…” in the pop-up menu.

Step 4: In the packer program’s configuration mask, you’ll find the required settings for the save location, archive format, compression strength, compression method, and encryption.

Enter a password, then enter it again.

In archive format, 7z is available with AES-256-bit encryption. This can also be used for password protecting ZIP files. What’s more, the latter can be encrypted with the ZipCrypto algorithm.

Opening an archive file that has been password protected with 7-Zip requires you to enter a password.

Windows users often utilize the WinZip packer program for password protecting ZIP files. The programs WinRAR, Peazip, Bandizip, and Ashampoo Zip Free also offer encryption features. We provide you with a detailed comparison of the range of features in our article on the most popular WinZip alternatives.

Free Folder Password Lock Overview

Free Folder Password Lock is data encryption software. It can be used to lock, hide and disguise files like Text, Word, Excel, PPT, documents, images, videos, audio files and archive files and folders. You are allowed to encrypt files and folder on local computer and even password protect removable portable storage devices including SD Card, External Hard Drive, USB Flash Drive, Pen Drive and any other brands. Free Folder Password Lock software is easy to use. You can make your file secured with password within seconds.

Unzipping Password Protected Zip Files Mac

How to Lock Files/Folder on Lock Computer Drive

Click 'Lock File/Folder' and then Click 'Open for Lock' button to select files, folders or drive you want to encrypt. After that, you can input password and select lock type: lock without hidden or lock and hidden. And then click 'Lock' button. If you want to unlock the file, please select the file first and then click 'Unlock' button to continue.

Password Protect Zip Folder Mac

How to Lock Files/Folder on USB Drive

How To Encrypt Zip Folder Mac

Connect your portable storage device to computer first, and then click 'Protect USB' button, select files, folders or the drive to encrypt with password.

How Do I Password Protect A Zip File On A Mac

How to Disguise Files, Folders or Drive

Password Protect Zip Folder Mac Terminal

Click 'Disguise' and then click 'Disguise Folder' button to continue.