Password Protect a ZIP Using 7-Zip

7-Zip is a free and open-source app that you can use to create and extract files from various archive formats, including ZIP. With this app, you choose the files to add to an archive, set the password, and let the app secure your archive’s contents.

• To start, download and install the free 7-Zip app on your Windows PC.
• Next, open a File Explorer window and locate the files to add to a ZIP archive. Select all these files, right-click any one file, and choose 7-Zip > Add to Archive.

• Then, click the “Encryption Method” drop-down menu and choose “AES-256,” a popular cipher used by banks and the US military. If you want, adjust any other options as you desire.
• Finally, start making your archive by clicking “OK” at the bottom.

7-Zip will create your password-protected ZIP archive in the same folder as your selected files. When you open this archive, you’ll be asked to enter the password to extract files out of it.