Is there an app that will let me make password protected zipped files or folders in Windows 11 Home?

Today I tried to make a password protected folder of pdf files that I could email to family members. I tried 7-zip as well as the free/trial version of WinRAR. All attempts simply resulted in zipped folders that were non-protected, even though I added in a password before zipping everything up. What was I doing wrong? I have windows 11 home and did read somewhere that it did not support some file protections. Is this true? Is there a workaround or app that will work for me? Free is better but I am willing to pay.

Winrar I add files/folders first then set the password.
Just right click on the files/folders then select Winrar > add to archive.
After files/folders are added then set a password before creating the rar/zip archive.

Take a look at 7-zip.

WinZip
WinZip Help - Encryption


Denis

LGM11 said:

I tried 7-zip ... All attempts simply resulted in zipped folders that were non-protected, even though I added in a password before zipping everything up. What was I doing wrong? I have windows 11 home and did read somewhere that it did not support some file protections. Is this true? Is there a workaround or app that will work for me? Free is better but I am willing to pay.

Click to expand...

7‑Zip should have worked straight away; you should include more details on:

• version (latest 26.00)
• where you downloaded 7‑Zip
• what you did on the "Add to archive" screen
• what you did to conclude the file isn't protected

I do this all the time. Entering matching passwords produces a .7z file that requires the password when you double‑click it.

As far as I can tell, 7-zip will show you the 'contents' of a protected zip (ie file and folder names), but when you try to open or drag and drop one, it will ask for the pw. To hide the file names, put one zip inside another.

LGM11 said:

Free is better but I am willing to pay.

Click to expand...

7-Zip should work fine!

IMO: 7zip is the best free solution for archiving files, but has problems with CRC errors on some .rar compression algorithms. It's better all-around than the free version of WinRAR, but the paid version of WinRAR is worth every penny if you need it every day.

mngerhold said:

As far as I can tell, 7-zip will show you the 'contents' of a protected zip (ie file and folder names), but when you try to open or drag and drop one, it will ask for the pw. To hide the file names, put one zip inside another.

Click to expand...

If you check "Encrypt file names" it will not show you filenames.

Check 5th post

Im using " My Lockbox " for years , very easy and safe ...............

LGM11 said:

Today I tried to make a password protected folder of pdf files that I could email to family members. I tried 7-zip....

Click to expand...

7-Zip works fine. The recipient doen't need to have 7-Zip. While File Explorer cannot create a password protected .zip, it has always been able to open them and extract the encrypted files.

Feuer said:

If you check "Encrypt file names" it will not show you filenames.

Click to expand...

That option is available for creating a password protected .7z archive, but is not a supported option for an encrypted .zip. While File Explorer can now natively open an unencrypted .7z archive, it cannot handle a password protected one. The recipient would need to install 7-Zip.

With names encrypted:


With names unencrypted:

One thing I've done for years with any ZIP application if I want the names of the files to be hidden is simply ZIP the encrypted file inside another ZIP. You can use the same key so there's only one key, but then you can't see anything inside the first file.

gunrunnerjohn said:

One thing I've done for years with any ZIP application if I want the names of the files to be hidden is simply ZIP the encrypted file inside another ZIP. You can use the same key so there's only one key, but then you can't see anything inside the first file.

Click to expand...

You can hide the contents of an archive when using WinRAR by selecting "Encrypt File Names".

7-zip Step by Step

• Select Files: Right-click the file or folder you want to protect, choose 7-Zip, and then click Add to archive....
• Configure Settings:
  • Archive Format: Choose zip (standard) or 7z (better encryption capabilities).
  • Encryption Method: Select AES-256 for strong protection, especially if using 7z format.
• Set Password: Under the Encryption section on the right, type your desired password in both boxes.
• Encrypt File Names (Optional): Check the "Encrypt file names" box if you want to prevent others from seeing the names of the files inside without the password.
• Finish: Click OK to create your protected file.

For a very long time I have been using the litte freeware app EncryptOnClick (EOC), to be downloaded from here (the same makers as SyncBackFree).
After installation, the app adds a context menu (right click) action. by which you can encrypt a file. It will do exactly the same as when you zip a file while encoding it but easier. It will replace the normal file by the encoded file, while safely erasing the original file. The extension will be changed into EOC.

If you click any file that ends with EOC, the app will be started and you get a window asking the password. Fill in the correct password and the file will be decrypted again. If you don't have the app installed anymore on the system, files can be decrypted by changing the extension into .zip and using a regular unzip app.

So it's just the ease of using encryption and decryption that is making the app worthwhile.

I stopped using the app for one simple reason only. Because I am rather old and I were the only one in the family using this app, I feared that important files, that have been encrypted in this way, could not be opened by my wife or my son in case I would not be able to do it anymore. So I decided to only encrypt pdf's (which you get an automatic question for opening password when doubleclicked). And transfer all important files that are connected with banking and other delicate stuff into readable pdf's (like emails, simply printing them to encrypted pdf's).

That I have been doing now for several years, but the app EOC still exists in updated form and certainly will do what it did, when I was still using it.

That’s a good idea.

I have a similar concern with two factor authentication. I use on online financial accounts for security.

glasskuter said:

7-zip Step by Step

• Select Files: Right-click the file or folder you want to protect, choose 7-Zip, and then click Add to archive....
• Configure Settings:
  • Archive Format: Choose zip (standard) or 7z (better encryption capabilities).
  • Encryption Method: Select AES-256 for strong protection, especially if using 7z format.
• Set Password: Under the Encryption section on the right, type your desired password in both boxes.
• Encrypt File Names (Optional): Check the "Encrypt file names" box if you want to prevent others from seeing the names of the files inside without the password.
• Finish: Click OK to create your protected file.

Click to expand...

I just pointed 7-Zip at a file and said add and replace files. Where does the "encrypt filenames" box appear? I sure don't see it!

gunrunnerjohn said:

I just pointed 7-Zip at a file and said add and replace files. Where does the "encrypt filenames" box appear? I sure don't see it!

Click to expand...

It's only an option for .7z archives.

You can also use VeraCrypt

You can make a container file (encrypted and password protected)
Sure you need veracrypt to open it.

When you mount a container file with VeraCrypt you will see it as a new drive.
You can put your files and folders in it.
When you unmount noone will know what is in it.

I use portableapps version of it.

Zipping the file twice is simple and quick. It also doesn't require any other applications, and I don't have to adhere to a specific compression format. I'll probably just keep doing it my way, no sense in fixing stuff that ain't broken.